Organic and Free Trade Yoga Apparel
If you don't already own organic yoga apparel, you've at least seen it advertised. Sometimes described as eco-friendly, "green", and healthier for the planet and your body, organic yoga apparel is everywhere. You might have also seen along with organic yoga apparel the phrase free trade.
Being a good yogi or yogini, you might be wondering just what is organic and free trade apparel? And how does it fit in with your yoga lifestyle?
Organic yoga apparel is most simply made from materials that were grown and harvested without the use of dangerous insecticide or pesticide. Free trade yoga apparel refers to a social movement that moves to encourage and support manufactures that employee and import goods offering fair wages in reasonable working conditions. Sadly, many manufactures take advantage of the cheap (and sometimes child) labor available in developing countries. Most organic yoga apparel is also fair trade, but not all fair trade yoga apparel is organic.
Organic and fair trade yoga apparel tends to be more expensive, which leads many to hesitate before buying. Is it worth the cost?
Laura Cornell, Kripalu Yoga teacher for the past 12 years, as well as President and Founder of the Green Yoga Association, says living an organic life fits hand-in-hand with yoga practice. "Living organic has to be a total way of life. It needs to include our both our food and clothing, and not be confined to yoga practice. As Thich Naht Hanh said, if you can't afford to buy organic, just buy less! Minimalism is an important Yogic value that confronts our U.S. over-consumption."
"Yoga has always been about connecting with nature," explains Laura, "with the sun, moon, plants, animals, and even the elements of the earth. The great teaching of non-violence (ahimsa) is based on this deep respect for all life... . As yogis especially, care of the earth is a primary ethical concern."
Rubber Ritchie, a daily yoga practitioner for 9 years (flexinthecity.com/), also encourages organic yoga apparel, when possible. "The way of a Yogi is a gentle way, so to tread lightly on nature should be strived for," he explains. "Hemp would be truest in the spirit of ahimsa as its cultivation is trod lightly, needing not the use of pesticides as with cotton."
Rubber Ritchie is also a supporter of fair trade. "Any sweat shop using corporate brand goes against ahimsa and the essence of yoga," he says.
Where can you buy organic or fair trade yoga apparel?
"Well, there are many good brands out there," explains Jenifer M. Parker (jenifermparker.com/), who has taught yoga to thousands of clients over the past 12 years. "Right now, I'm using a lot of American Apparel, because they are fair trade. I also like Blue Canoe, because they are also organic. Prana is a popular company, but I find their clothing is hit-or-miss for me. It's high quality, but it doesn't always fit my body well. They are also fair trade. I also went with a couple of cottage industries this year, including Bamboosa, which makes bamboo clothing."
Jenifer tries, when she can, to purchase Earth friendly organics, but when she can't, she at least tries to buy Fair Trade yoga apparel. "Earth-friendly Yoga wear is actually my preference. The issue is generally cost, and so I have to choose which I value more—Earth Friendly or Fair Trade. This time around, I chose Fair Trade. Most Earth Friendly clothing is Fair Trade, so if one can afford Earth Friendly, then they are usually getting Fair Trade!"
If you can't afford organic yoga apparel now, consider making it a priority for the future. "… at the time of purchasing yoga clothes for this year, my budget couldn't afford all Earth Friendly," explains Jenifer. "My hope is that in coming years, I will be able to afford Earth Friendly clothing."