Love my mat

NEW & IMPROVED Organic Cotton Cloths

2010-01-18T16:19:00Z

Love My Naturals is pleased to announce our new and improved Organic Cotton Cloths!

Our new cloths are now;
- 6" x 9" (instead of 5" x 8")
- made with 100% organic terry towel
- more absorbent
- easier to wash
- hand sewn with delicate green trim
- same low price as before

Order a Set of 3 now! And use them around the house for dishes, dusting, cleaning and more. These beautifully, handsewn organic cotton cloths can also be used as individual hand towels when you have guests visiting.

Our new organic cotton cloth is still included with your purchase of any bottle of Love My Mat 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser.

Visit us at www.lovemymat.com to learn more or purchase your own set.

Medicinal Uses of Lavender

2009-11-05T02:36:00Z

I found this helpful & informative article on GardensAblaze.com
you can find the full article here; www.gardensablaze.com/HerbLavenderMed.htm

Lavender has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy, and does indeed appear to have antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and last but certainly not least - anti-depressant properties. The fresh or dried flowers contain the medicinal properties of Lavender. For internal use the essential oil is often placed on sugar cubes - 1-3 drops per cube. Unfortunately unless you have a home still, and knowledge of the distillation process for essential oils, you have to purchase the oil. This purchased oil is capable of making you very nauseous, and most vendors advise against taking it internally except in very small doses. However, the flowers make a relaxing and refreshing tea with the same basic medicinal properties, and using Lavender in this way is advisable in most cases.

Internally, Lavender is believed to be of benefit for a multitude of problems, including stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression, colds, digestion, flatulence, upset stomach, liver and gallbladder problems, nervousness, loss of appetite, and as a breath freshener and mouthwash. Inhaling the essential oil in some cases has been reported to work as well as narcotics for inducing relaxation and sleep, easing symptoms of depression, and reducing headache pain. For inhalation purposes, boil 2 cups of water, add 2 drops of essential oil, and inhale the steam.

Externally, Lavender oil is one of the safest essential oils and can be used full-strength on the skin. It works wonderfully and can be applied directly for cuts, scrapes, wounds, burns, bee, wasp, and insect stings, rashes, muscle aches, rheumatism, arthritis, cold sores, canker sores, blisters, bruises, athlete's foot, and rubbed directly into the temples in case of headache or migraine.

Miscellaneous uses of Lavender include using unsweetened tea as a hair rinse to help reduce hair loss and dandruff, using the dried flowers in sleep and dream pillows, in potpourris, sachets and tucked in drawers to freshen clothing and repel moths. A few drops of oil dropped into warm bath water is a refreshing and relaxing treat. The stems with the leaves stripped can be burned like an incense stick, and can also be used in crafts such as basket weaving, and making Lavender wands.

Lavender is a key ingredient in Love My Mat's 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser for many of the reasons listed in the article from Gardensablaze.com. If you want to experience the powers of Lavender for yourself, pick up a bottle of Love My Mat here or at any one of the locations that carry Love My Mat found on our homepage www.LoveMyMat.com

Love My Mat 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser

2009-10-19T19:08:00Z

Does your yoga mat stink? Have you lost the stickiness? Get rid of that stale smell and restore you sticky mat with 100% Organic Ingredients! Love My Mat™ is an amazing new product that solves the problem of mat maintenance.

Dirt, sweat, body oils, and odours will cling to your mat if it is not properly cared for, but who has time for the laborious deep clean your yoga mat begs for? Love My Mat™ has come up with a simple solution to ensure you have a safe practice each and every time. Simple spray your mat before or after use and wipe with the included Organic Cotton Cloth to ensure even distribution and a quick dry. The worries of putting your face where your feet have been will be gone.

* Instructor Tip * Love My Mat™ is a great item for group practice situations to make sure students don't share more than a good workout...

One of the best benefits to this product is the speed and ease with which it can be used. No waiting for a soapy, wet mat to dry. (and we know there are some of you out there that just haven't gotten around to washing your mats at all - this is a great solution).

The cleansing powers of this spray come from grapefruit seed extract and a blend of USDA Certified Organic essential Oils including tea tree oil, lavender, and grapefruit. Grapefruit seed extract is now used sometimes in hospitals for cleaning because it kills bacteria better than many conventional medical antibiotics. Tea tree oil has a proven track record as an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agent. Other essential oils included in the blend are active antibacterial agents as well. The organic essential oils also offer a fresh, pleasant scent without being overpowering to encourage deep breathing for yoga practice.

To ensure this cleanser is 100% Organic, we use no emulsifiers in our product. Just give the bottle a good shake before spraying & wiping your yoga mat to get the same blend of grapefruit seed extract and essential oils for each use. The water-based formula so gentle that it will not irritate skin or damage your mats and props. This multipurpose cleansing spray can be used on foam blocks, balance balls, and Pilates equipment, but it doesn’t stop there. Bring Love My Mat™ home to clean your counter tops, kitchen sinks or as a healthy alternative to febreze.

Get yourself a bottle today at LoveMyMat.com

The Big Stink

2009-09-22T01:39:00Z

The Big Stink
by Jane Odin on Ourdoodah.com

*Gagging From Stinking Up with Artificial Fragrances*

Have you seen the endless TV ads for artificial fragrances, pushed on possibly unsuspecting consumers looking to cover a big stink of some sort ? One of my favorite ads shows a grandmother-type arrive for a visit, ignore the children and immediately fall into an ecstatic trance, sniffing Febreze scented air, tennis shoes and various fabrics.

We are inundated with toxic artificial fragrances in the form of odor neutralizers, plug-ins, aerosols, room fresheners, car air fresheners, fabric fresheners, perfumes, scented candles/oils, paraffin candles and garbage bags. Scented garbage bags are the pits. Some brands are kind enough to put “scented” on packaging, others are not so thoughtful. I opened a box of Glad bags and became nauseous immediately from a Febreze-like odor. Gag!!!!!!!!! Upon returning to the store I punched little holes big enough to catch a whiff of the inner contents before purchasing more bags.

Why do we need so many kinds of artificial fragrances? Guess folks prefer cover-up to clean –up. It’s hard to imagine a stink bad enough to force one to reach for an artificial fragrance. Hopefully they aren’t used around infants and pets. It doesn’t really matter what the fragrance-peddlers say about the safety of petrochemicals and exotic toxins, we know better. Asthmatics claim attacks are most often triggered by artificial fragrances.

If you frequent 2nd hand clothing shops and don’t like the smell of Febreze - beware - sniff out the garment before purchase because the odor will not come out. It’s there for all eternity. And if you are a traveler with sensitivities to Febreze and other noxious odors, it’s a good idea to call ahead and ask questions.

Wafting Aromas: Ingredients

Artificial fragrances are composed of untold combinations of highly volatile petrochemical derivatives. The raw materials of perfumery are the solvents hexane and petroleum ether. According to a Natural Resource Defense Council sponsored test, 12 out of 14 air fresheners contain phthalates. These off-gassing chemicals are never listed as ingredients. They are claimed as proprietary secrets. Other chemicals found in a majority of air-freshners includes formaldehyde, (used as a preservative) benzene and naphthalene. http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/newscience/oncompounds/PBDE/whatarepbdes.htm

Perfumed garbage bags are created through a process that involves perfumed composites of ethylene and various co polymers such as vinyl acetate and ethyl acrylate which enable bags to retain fragrance for a year or more. Other types of perfumed objects are coated with polyurethane to sustain the release of various fragrances.

Procter and Gamble had to seek approval from the NYS Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials in order to register *Febreze Antimicrobial* because it contains Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride. This product is used on fabrics to kill odor causing bacteria. Wow. Imagine some of that stuff up against your skin for 10 hours. The official letter from the Director of the Bureau of Pesticides Management states DDAC is a severe skin and eye irritant and goes on to say * “In the risk assessment conducted by the U.S.EPA, post-application dermal exposures were determined to pose unacceptable risks.” *Yet – the product was given the O.K. for production.

Over the holidays I almost gave a toxic gift of an evergreen infusion. It looked great with a graceful bamboo wicking system and it had a pleasant aroma. Interestingly enough it did not list one ingredient. I called the company and discovered ½ of the content was a “cosmetic preservative”. Most cosmetic preservatives are extremely toxic, including many of the innocent looking creams that have the various parabens in the ingredients. I use organic cosmetics that list all ingredients.

Comments from Shelley at Love My Naturals.
Thanks for the enlightenment, Jane.
If anyone else is looking for a healthy alternative to the chemicals in Febreze or other fabric & air fresheners, I recommend you have a look at our Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser. We use 100% Certified Organic Ingredients to ensure there are no harmful affects to any living being in your home. Although our product is designed for Yoga Mats, it have been proven to disinfect and deodorize couches, linens, car interiors, kitchen counter tops, bathroom sinks and more. Just a few sprays and the disinfecting powers of Lavender & Tea Tree Oil and working naturally to keep your house clean & smelling fresh.
Buy A Bottle Today at www.LoveMyMat.com

Organic Cotton IS Better

2009-09-22T01:28:00Z

Organic Cotton Baby Clothing Can Make a Difference
as told by Barbara Garrison on Buzzle.com

Supporting organic cotton baby clothing is a great way for parents to help shift the toxic business of cotton production into an industry of hope and environmental stewardship. This article provides facts about cotton and ways consumers and parents can get more involved.

If you are a parent, you know how important it is that we leave the world a better place for our children. Supporting organic cotton baby clothing is a wonderful way for parents to participate in green consumerism. This trend is important because ordinary cotton is more responsible for poisoning our planet than any other crop in the world. We’ll start by discussing the problems with conventional cotton, describe the growing trend of organic cotton as a solution, and offer parents and consumers some ways that they can make a difference through their own personal choices.

Toxic Cotton
Cotton is one of the most versatile crops in the world, with millions of industrials uses and also finding its way into our homes, our clothes, and even our food. Cotton is single-handedly responsible for 25% of the world’s use of pesticides, as well as 10% of the world’s insecticides. What makes these figures really come into relief is the fact that cotton only accounts for 3% of the world’s crop acreage. In fact, for every three cotton t-shirts produced in the world, one pound of synthetic fertilizers and chemicals were used in production. Farmed with convention methods, it is not an exaggeration to say that cotton is the most toxic crop in the world.

So what? Why are pesticides so bad anyways? As it turns out, heavy pesticides are linked with problems in rivers and oceans, air pollution, the health of animals, as well as the health of human farmers and workers. Asthma, fatal poisoning, and cancer are just some of the human health risks associated with conventionally grown cotton. For babies, traditionally grown cotton is known to cause skin allergies and sensitivities due to the remnants of all these poisons still within garments. Also, cottonseed oil is found in many baby foods, still laced with small amounts of the toxins that have poisoned hundreds of workers around the world.

The Promise of Organic Cotton
Organic farming methods are crucial to turn around the negative effect of cotton production on the globe’s natural resources. Organic farming accounts for only a little over 1% of cotton production, but the organic cotton market is growing by about 15% a year. This trend is expected to continue as producers cash in on the new market, but it needs help from consumers too. Not only is organic cotton better for the environment as well as the health of millions of farm workers, but it also produces a high-quality product. Organic cotton baby clothes are softer than traditionally-grown cotton clothes, and also less likely to trigger skin allergies and sensitivities. This is especially important for infants and toddlers. In fact, organic cotton baby clothing is one of the fastest growing segments of the organic cotton movement.

Are you looking for organic cotton items for your baby or as a new mother's gift? Love My Naturals carries 5"x8" Organic Cotton Cloths which are prefect for wiping your baby's face or bottom. Show you care about babies and our earth by purchasing Love My Natural's Organic Cotton Wipes here: www.LoveMyNaturals.com

It's Easy to Clean with Lavender

2009-09-22T01:17:00Z

wikiHow explains how easy it is to clean with Lavender

click here for the full article

Steps
Get are a squirt bottle, water, and lavender essential oil. You can get the lavender oil at a health food store.
Fill the squirt bottle with water and add about 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix together and let sit for a little time to disperse.
Squirt this mix onto any surface in the house to disinfect it. Lavender is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral plant. The best part is - it won't hurt you and it'll smell great.

Squirt it on your hands, too. Don't use the oil full strength though, it could burn the skin.
Don't wipe. Just squirt and relax. Let Mother Nature do the disinfecting for you.

Tips
Lavender doesn't kill the good bacteria on your skin.
It also is good for your mood.
Keep a squirt bottle handy in the bathroom.
Use it to disinfect the toilet, handles on the sink, bathtub, and counters.
Squirt door handles, light switches, anything you or anybody touches.

Warnings
Don't use the oil full strength directly on your skin as it could burn the skin. The mix is made with alcohol, so it could cause skin reactions if used by itself.

Or why not make it even easier for yourself and purchase a bottle of Love My Mat 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser?
Our recipe using USDA Certified Organic Lavender Essential Oil, plus other non-toxic germ killers. It's not just good for yoga mats - so use it on your couches, linens, counter tops, bathroom sinks and anywhere that needs some freshening.
www.LoveMyMat.com

Why Clean with Chemicals?

2009-05-14T14:08:00Z

Natural cleaning products are great, but 100% Certified Organic Cleaning Products are best. Organic products offer a completely environmentally safe alternative to the toxic and potentially lethal household cleaning products used in most homes today. Using 100% Certified Organic products is especially critical because all the cleaning products we use will eventually come into contact with our water systems, soil and air where they can cause significant and irreparable harm to animals, plants, drinking water, and food supplies. Products that claim to be "All Natural" still have the risk of adding chemicals into our earth as there is no guarantee that chemicals weren't used to grow the "natural" ingredients.

The average North American household uses roughly 40 pounds of toxic cleaning products every year. Many of these cleaning products contain dangerous ingredients, including carcinogens, allergens, central nervous system depressants, heavy metals, neurotoxins and other agents that cause or contribute to cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergic reactions, and behavioral problems, among other issues. These potentially deadly ingredients will make their way into our environment through a variety of different routes: they are flushed down toilets, poured down sinks, sprayed into the air, washed & drained into our water systems, and thrown in the garbage. It is a fact that most of these hazardous cleaning products are thrown in landfills or incinerated and after time they release their toxins into our environment, contributing to depletion of the ozone layer, polluting groundwater, contaminating soil, and harming plants and animal life.

If you still think you can use your regular cleaning products, please read the examples below and become a promoter of 100% Certified Organic Products.

   •   Phosphates, found in dishwasher and laundry detergents, cause algae bloom, which kills fish and aquatic plants, and produces chemicals that are toxic to animals and people who drink the water.

   •   Chlorine bleach is found in many products or can be used on it's own. It is toxic to fish and can bind with organic compounds in water to form organochlorines, which break down slowly in the environment and accumulate in the fatty tissues of wildlife. Chlorine is especially toxic to organisms that live in water and soil.

   •   Formaldehyde, an ingredient in furniture polish and various cleaning products, is a potential human carcinogen and a known cancer-causing agent in animals.

   •   Phthalates, which are now banned in many products, disrupt hormone function and can cause genetic defects in both animals and humans. DO NOT use any products with Phthalates around your children!

   •   Sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, in drain cleaners, can change the pH of water and cause fish kills.

Organic cleaning products can and should be substituted for most of the toxic cleaners on the market today. You can start by going to LoveMyMat.com to learn about our 100% Certified Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser which can be used to disinfect countertops, as an organic alternative to Febreze or deodorizing your baby's room safely. Visit www.LoveMyMat.com

100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser Now Available in Stores!

2008-12-13T19:25:22Z

Finally... no more waiting! Love My Mat™ 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser is now available in stores!
Just in time for Christmas.

if you have a friend or family member who is eco-friendly and practices yoga, whether its once a month or three times per week, you should consider getting them a bottle of our 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser. It makes a great stocking stuffer!

You can pick up a bottle at one of 3 locations in Hamilton, Ontario.

1. Just The Essentials on Concession Street in Hamilton, On
2. Goodness Me! Natural Food Store on Upper Gage in Hamilton, ON
3. De La Sol Yoga Studios on York Street in Hamilton, On

Pick one up today!

Ray Sahelian Proves the Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

2008-10-28T22:24:00Z

Tea Tree Oil use by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Benefit of tea tree oil
http://www.raysahelian.com/teatreeoil.html

Tea tree oil, used for centuries by Australian natives, has been popular in the health supplement industry for many years and gradually becoming known by mainstream Americans. Tea tree oil has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activity. See nail fungus for a natural treatment for this difficult condition.

Tea Tree Oil use and potential benefits
Tea tree oil has been tested in various skin and medical conditions including acne pimples, dermatitis, gingivitis, pediculosis (lice), dandruff, genital warts, and tinea pedis (athlete's foot). There is good research to suggest tea tree oil is beneficial in athlete's foot, and I have listed some of this research below.

Tea Tree Oil Research Update
Herbal medicines for treatment of fungal infections: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials.
Mycoses. 2004 Apr;47(3-4):87-92.
Traditional medicine has made use of many different plant extracts for treatment of fungal infections and some of these have been tested for in vitro antifungal activity. This systematic review evaluates antifungal herbal preparations that have been tested in controlled clinical trials. Four electronic databases were searched for controlled clinical trials of antifungal herbal medicines. Data were extracted in a standardized manner by two independent reviewers and are reviewed narratively. Seven clinical trials met our inclusion criteria. Tea tree oil preparations were tested in four randomized clinical trials and some positive outcomes were attributed to the intervention in all trials. Solanum species (two trials) and oil of bitter orange preparations (one trial) were compared with conventional treatments. In all cases encouraging results were reported. There are few controlled clinical trials of herbal antifungal medicines. The most thoroughly clinically tested is tea tree oil, which holds some promise. All herbal remedies require further investigation in rigorous clinical trials.

Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis (athlete's foot) with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study.
Australas J Dermatol. 2002 Aug;43(3):175-8.
Tea tree oil has been shown to have activity against dermatophytes in vitro. We have conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blinded study to determine the efficacy and safety of 25% and 50% tea tree oil in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis. One hundred and fifty-eight patients with tinea pedis clinically and microscopy suggestive of a dermatophyte infection were randomized to receive either placebo, 25% or 50% tea tree oil solution. Patients applied the solution twice daily to affected areas for 4 weeks and were reviewed after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. There was a marked clinical response seen in 68% of the 50% tea tree oil group and 72% of the 25% tea tree oil group, compared to 39% in the placebo group. Mycological cure was assessed by culture of skin scrapings taken at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. The mycological cure rate was 64% in the 50% tea tree oil group, compared to 31% in the placebo group. Four (3.8%) patients applying tea tree oil developed moderate to severe dermatitis that improved quickly on stopping the study medication.

Click to Read the Full Article

Fight athlete's foot, fungus & bacteria on your Yoga Mat with 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser from Love My Mat.

Germs Lurking on Your Yoga Mat

2008-10-28T22:12:00Z

Germs lurk at the gym & on yoga mats
Chris Zdeb , The Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON -- Getting fit is supposed to make you healthier, but sometimes, it can make you sick.

"I got a toe wart last year for the first time since I was 12 ... and I'm not amused!," says one woman who is sure she got it at her yoga studio. "I know someone else who got a plantar wart, too. Now I wear socks until I'm on my mat."
Not to give you another reason for not working out, but public gyms, fitness centres and yoga studios can be breeding grounds for all kinds of bacteria, germs, fungi and viruses that can result in anything from a cold or flu to an upset stomach, rashes and skin infections.

Researchers have found E. coli, strep bacteria and the influenza virus in gyms and on athletic equipment.
Things like warts, athlete's foot and other fungal infections, such as ringworm, are commonly picked up in places where you have skin-to-skin contact with somebody or your skin touches an area where someone who has one of these infections has been before, says Dr. Gerry Predy, Capital Health's medical officer of health. There is an increased chance of infection if you have cuts or cracks in your skin due to cold, dry weather.
"Generally, the risk is higher on wet surfaces because these organisms tend to like a little moisture in order to persist," Predy says.

"These things are pretty common, and while they're not going to cause any serious illness they can be painful, annoying and pretty persistent. Warts, for example, are difficult to treat and it can sometimes take a year or two for them to go away."

Common bacterial breeding grounds include swimming pool decks, showers, weights and workout equipment and yoga mats.

So fight the E. coli and influenza virus by using an effective, all natural cleanser like Love My Mat's™ 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser. It's 100% safe for all yoga mats and safe to inhale. So go ahead and spray your mat before your practice to inhale the immune-boosting properties of Tea Tree Oil & Lavender. It's a treat for your beloved yoga mat.

COMMON GYM INFECTIONS AND HOW TO SPOT THEM
- WARTS: A viral infection picked up by being barefoot in yoga studios, locker-rooms, shower stalls. Symptoms include thick raised patches of greyish, brownish or yellowish skin. On the bottom of the feet they're known as plantar warts. They tend to grow inwards, have a black core and can be painful.
- ATHLETE'S FOOT: Spread by walking barefoot on locker-room and shower floors. Symptoms include red, scaly, tender rashes, cracked, blistered skin between the toes along with an itching or burning sensation.
- RINGWORM: Shared yoga mats, unsanitary equipment and dirty towels are sources of ringworm. Symptoms include round, red, scaly rings on the surface of the skin.
- STAPH INFECTION: Easily transferred from shared gym equipment to the skin, nose and throat. Symptoms -- skin lesions such as boils or open non-healing sores.

© The Edmonton Journal 2007
Click to Read the Full Article

All Natural Mats & Cleaning - IMPORTANT INFO!

2008-10-28T22:06:00Z

Ideal Bite tells us the importance of cleaning your Yoga Mat.
So we told you long ago about all natural yoga mats, but did we mention how to keep them clean?

The Bite
If you get a natural yoga mat (or even with your old PVC one) steer clear of cleaning it with synthetic cleaners and detergents. Stick to the natural theme with your sticky mat – use cleaners that will preserve its life while letting you breath non-toxic air in your downward dog.

The Benefits
Be good to your skin. Many detergents contain skin-irritating chemicals like alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), which are linked to hormone disruption and some cancers, and may be absorbed by your skin.
Focus on your breathing technique. Traditional all purpose cleaners, commonly recommended for cleaning mats, often contain chlorine or ammonia, which are harmful when inhaled and toxic when combined.
Stay friendly with fishies. APEs do not break down in water treatment processes, contaminating waterways and harming the reproduction and survival of aquatic life.
Personally Speaking
As our resident yoga guru, Heather is always promoting the cleansing benefits of yoga. Until she discovered Vermont Soap, though, we can’t say that her mat benefited from much cleansing.

Wanna Try?
Love My Mat™ - 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser comes with an Organic Cotton Cloth to wipe your mat clean of germs & bacteria. ($19)
Alternatively, wash your mat with shampoo or vinegar in the tub or shower and hang to dry.
Share your mat-cleaning faves (and read about Heather's not-always-so-clean attitude) at the Ideal Bite Blog.

Click to Read the Full Article

Communal Yoga Mats: Beware of Germs

2008-10-28T21:57:00Z

Communal Yoga Mats: Beware of Germs
By ABBY ELLIN Published: July 27, 2006

GREG E. COHEN, a podiatrist at Long Island College Hospital, hears the same story a lot: women complaining about a flaky red bump or a persistent itchy patch on a foot. By the time he sees them, they’re embarrassed and horrified. A few years ago, Dr. Cohen, who also has a private practice in Brooklyn Heights, didn’t know what to make of it, but these days he doesn’t blink an eye.

“The first thing I ask is, ‘Do you do yoga?’ ” he said. As often as not, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

In the last two years, Dr. Cohen said, he has seen a 50 percent spike in patients with athlete’s foot and plantar warts. The likely culprit? Unclean exercise mats, he said.

Gyms have long been hothouses for unwanted viruses, fungi and bacteria, a result of shared equipment, excessive sweat and moisture in locker rooms. Many facilities provide disinfectant so clients can wipe down machinery, but they are often less diligent when it comes to exercise mats. It’s common to see staff members clean a stationary bike. It’s rare to see them disinfect a mat.

This is starting to worry many yoga practitioners who go barefoot on high-traffic mats. Half a dozen kinds of yoga-mat wipes are now sold nationwide, and new products like hand and foot mitts, to protect serial mat borrowers, have hit the market.

Because yoga is more popular than ever, it could well be a coincidence that health-care professionals like Dr. Cohen are seeing more infections. In 2005, 16.5 million people practiced yoga nationwide, up 43 percent from 2002, according to Yoga Journal.

Click To Read the Full Article

Washing dozens of mats regularly can be laborious and costly, which is why Jen Lobo, an owner of Bikram Yoga NYC, raised her rental price to $5 a mat from $2.

“Every night we clean the mats with an antibacterial yoga spray” and hang them to dry, Ms. Lobo said. “Weekends, we put them in the washing machines with Dr. Bronner’s Soap. It’s a lot of manual labor.”

Longtime devotees of yoga tend to buy their own mats and don’t lend them to anyone because they consider them an intimate part of their practice. It’s what Robert Butera, editor in chief of Yoga Living magazine, calls yoga hygiene. Cleaning one’s mat is about “being self-reliant and improving your health any way you can,” he said.

Not everyone is impressed. Heather Schlegel, who has practiced Bikram yoga for three years, once bought a Jo-Sha Wipe, another moist towelette made for mat cleaning. “I tried wiping down my mat, but the unfolded square was too small and kept getting scrunched up as I rubbed it across,” she said of the 75-cent wipe. “It didn’t look particularly cleaner when I was finished.”

As for Ms. Friedlis, she stopped yoga after curing her athlete’s foot with an over-the-counter cream. “Now I do the elliptical or the treadmill,” she said. “Things where I have shoes on.”

Click To Read the Full Article

Notes from LoveMyMat.com

Don't quit your practice for fear of Athlete's Foot or infection.
Try our 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser with Organic Cotton Cloth.
Protect Yourself & Your Environment!

www.Lovemymat.com

Tea Tree Essential Oil for Cleaning

2008-05-10T20:41:00Z

Natural Healthy Cleaning With Tea Tree Essential Oil
by: Sharon Delia

Tea Tree oil is one of the most popular of the essential oils. It is one of the strongest natural antiseptics, commonly referred to as the "Universal Antiseptic." This quality makes it one of the most worthwhile ingredients in homemade cleaning recipes. Tea Tree oil is also well tolerated having no known allergic reactions.

The time has come for us to reject the chemical-laden, air-polluting, health destroying, hazardous, commercial household cleaning products. There is something wrong when big corporations are using, "Trade Secrets," which means they are free to put harmful chemicals in the products that we use everyday in our homes. Manufacturers are not required to list them on the label.

There are some companies that provide us with many excellent eco-friendly, nontoxic-cleaning products, but it is more economical and satisfying to make our own. You may notice that once you start using natural, safe cleaning products, you will not want to go back to using chemicals. The change is so pleasant to our bodies physiologically, and so soothing emotionally that we can't go back to harsh chemicals.

Clinical studies have documented the value of Tea Tree oil, which date back to the original work conducted in 1923 by Dr. A. R. Penfold, an Australian government chemist. He found that Tea Tree leaves contained an essential oil, which showed antiseptic and bacterial properties 13 times stronger than carbolic acid, the accepted standard of the time. In 1930, Mr. E. M. Humphrey published an article entitled "A New Australian Germicide." He identified that Tea Tree oil's disinfectant action on the typhoid bacilli was sixty times greater than that of ordinary hand soap. So important was Tea Tree in the 1940's that it was standard issue in first aid kits for army and navy personnel.

Tea Tree oil turns out to be one of the most useful of all essential oils, especially as an antiseptic. The antiseptic, germicidal, antifungal, antibacterial immune-boosting qualities of Tea Tree oil make it applicable to a wide range of health conditions. In addition, the antiseptic benefits of the oil allow its use as a natural cleaner and disinfectant within the household environment.

Tea tree oil has many uses for housekeeping. You can prove to yourself how well it works to kill mold and mildew with this simple test: Put 2 teaspoons of Australian tea tree oil in a spray bottle with two cups of water. Spray the mixture on something musty. Let the smell dissipate (it will take a few days). The smell of mold and must will be gone, too, never to return as long as the source of moisture has been removed.

You can make your own cleaning supplies with antibacterial properties that nature provides. You'll feel a whole lot brighter and energetic after a few hours with essential oils than you will after breathing the fumes of toxic chemicals.

About The Author
Sharon Delia is a writer and researcher in the field of environmental health. She has co-authored a website with Richard Cocchia on the subject of environmentally safe home cleaning. To learn more about creating a healthy home for your family visit: www.healthy-home-cleaning-tips.com.
Highly Recommended

ARE YOUR CLEANSERS MAKING YOU SICK? Chances are, many of the traditional cleaners in your home's cabinets contain potentially dangerous toxins that promote illness, fatigue, and disease.

VISIT www.lovemymat.com for an all natural alternative for keeping your yoga mat clean & germ free!

How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit

2008-05-10T20:30:00Z

How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit
posted by Annie B. Bond Sep 30, 1999 8:36 pm
filed under: Healthy Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning

Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don’t pollute and save you money. Most are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into a non-toxic and healthy haven.

Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family’s health is protected, and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.

Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.

As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterpart—and that includes costly, but worthwhile essential oils, and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade recipes.

SUPPLIES
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent
Tea tree oil
6 clean spray bottles
2 glass jars

Read more about these 5 basic cleaning ingredients, and a vinegar update.

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.

Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.

WINDOW CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.

ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

VINEGAR DEODORIZER
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don’t even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

MOLD KILLERS

Tea Tree Treasure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I’ve used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.

Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

The full article can be found here:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html

For all of us that would love to use all natural, homemade cleanser but don't have the time, why don't you try our Canadian Made, All Natural Yoga Mat Cleanser?
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What is Hydrosol?

2008-04-14T02:11:00Z

THE GREEN GLOSSARY: What is a Hydrosol?
posted by Annie B. Bond Nov 5, 1999 8:46 am
Adapted from Hydrosols: The New Aromatherapy, by Suzanne Catty.

Hydrosols belong to the world of aromatherapy, and they are
also known as hydrolats, floral waters, and plant waters.

Hydrolate uses ‘hydro,’ “water,” and ‘late,’ from the French ‘lait,’ for “milk.” When a hydrolate first comes off the still, and often for some time afterward, it will be slightly milky, owing to the quantity and nature of the various plant substances and essential oils dissolved in the water.

‘Flower water’ isn’t an accurate definition because hydrosols do not come just from flowers any more than essential oils come only from flowers. Roots, bark, branches, wood, needles and leaves, even fruit and seeds can produce both oils and hydrosols.

Hydrosols are the condensate water coproduced during the steam- or hydro-distillation of plant material for aromatherapeutic purposes. Usually the distillation is undertaken is undertaken to obtain the essential oils contained in the plant material, but occasionally the distillation is undertaken specifically to produce the plant water that results.

Hydrosols contain all of the plant in every drop, just like a hologram. Here we have the water-soluble components, the essential-oil molecules, the very fluid that was flowing through the plant cells when the plant was collected. It’s all there in a matrix of water that is so much more than water, one of the most recognized holographic substances in healing.

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How Toxic are Your Household Cleaners?

2008-04-14T02:02:00Z

Article by: Joel Orcutt
Hood River Lavender Farms
http://hoodriverlavender.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-toxic-are-your-household-cleaners.html

Have you noticed the amount of Natural Cleaners at the Supermarket these days? Wandered why Name Brands are jumping on board of this “Natural” cleaning trend? Is there something we don’t know about commercial household cleaners that we use in our home? Seems as though there is a lot about that “All Purpose Cleaner” under the sink that we are not being told.

Hood River, Oregon (PRWE March 20, 2007--According to the EPA, the air we breathe inside our homes could be as much as 5 times as polluted as the air outside. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality tells us that the average American uses 25 gallons of toxic and hazardous chemicals at home. Of the 17,000 chemicals found in household cleaners, only 3 out of 10 have been tested for effects on Human health. Many cleaning products contain petroleum products, which are slow to breakdown in the environment, non-renewable and can contaminate our air and water. Of these chemicals, many are flushed down system and make their way through our sewers to our creeks, rivers, and ultimately our ocean.

What type of chemicals are we using in our home environment? Commercial Spot Cleaners can be loaded with carcinogenic ingredients, neurotoxins, central nervous system depressants, and all of these are considered hazardous waste. Sodium Fluosilicate, Na2SiF6 A poisonous, white, amorphous powder; slightly soluble in water, and used to fluoridate drinking water and to kill rodents and insects, is commonly used in some commercial laundry detergents. Furniture Polishes can contain neurotoxins and other hazards to the environment. A closer investigation in household cleaners, commercial oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and metal polishes reveal a vast amount of chemicals that are used as pesticides and even fuel. Add the additional contact of these chemicals in the work environment and contact issues escalate. Is it any wonder that “occupational dermatitis” is the foremost source of work-related disease? Americans spend as much as $300 million a year in their quest for relief from contact dermatitis. Florists, domestic workers, hairdressers, food preparers, janitors, and employees in industry, construction, and health care are the people most at risk of contracting work-related contact dermatitis.

Common cleaning products may be more dangerous than the germs themselves. Often we forget that our largest body organ, our skin, absorbs whatever it contacts. Exposure to chemicals can be detected within a minute in all organs of the body. Many “cleaners” release their toxins as fumes. Mothers that breast-feed should be very cautious around household cleaners as many chemicals, like chlorinated products, can form orgono-chloride compounds that can be stored in fat cells and migrate into breast milk. Ask any parent how much contact a baby has with the rugs and floors in their home/day-care area, then consider the chemicals found in rug cleaners and spot removers on those same floors, and an awareness warranting caution emerges. Why are more and more pets being diagnosed with cancer?

The good news is that as awareness is being made about “commercial cleaners”, more and more efforts are being made in the direction of “toxic-free Natural Cleaners”. Diane Orcutt, of Hood River Lavender in Oregon, says “that with all the attention made to “global warming” and efforts to protect our environment and our children, the path for natural alternatives to these toxic cleaners is being well paved.” Orcutt goes on to say, “with the knowledge and side-effects of chemicals found in commercial cleaning products, one has only to step back a couple of generations before the man-made-chemical era and discover that the natural cleaners made from botanicals used for hundreds of years are still very powerful, and in some instances, even more powerful than modern cleaners. The focus on “sustainable non-toxic all natural” cleaners is a conscientious statement of concern not just for one’s self & family, but also the choice of minimal long-term effect on the environment.”

Orcutt, who has “occupational dermatitis” from many years as a cosmetologist and esthetician, says the answer for her was as close as her certified organic lavender farm. “The hydrosol (linen floral water) that is created when steam-distillation is performed for lavender essential oil on the farm, is a very powerful natural cleaner and even cuts grease. The very definition of the name “lavender” is “to clean”. It is 100% botanical, biodegradable, safe to the environment including plants, animals, land and water, and also to the user. Because lavender is a natural antibacterial with antifungal properties, and has a long list of healing qualities, even for burns, it has been the answer for a cleaning product because of my dermatitis.”

Orcutt goes on, “After years of practical usage and research with additional essential oils in our hydrosol, we have fine-tuned an amazingly powerful All Purpose Cleaner recipe that is 100% botanical, free of colorings or dyes, no phosphates, ammonia, butyl ethers or chlorine, and is very pleasant in aroma without synthetic fragrances. It is very effective as a spot remover, cuts grease, works well for dirt & buildup on floors, walls, countertops, sinks, tubs, toilets, kitchen, diaper pails, doorknobs, and even as a pre-soak additive in the laundry.” Seems the power of Nature’s own chemicals can provide solutions for household cleaning without the side-effects of contact to, or the unhealthy fumes of the chemicals used in commercial cleaning products.

The consumer now has a choice for what they bring into their environment. The alternatives to harsh chemicals are finding their way onto the shelves of our Supermarkets, and the consumer is beginning to making a conscientious effort to purchase these alternative products. The initial cost may be a few pennies more, but the savings are measured in home & personal health gain, environmental protection, and the satisfaction of knowing that one’s home from floor to ceiling is free of toxins from industrial cleaning products.

To learn more about the chemicals in laundry soap & cleaners currently in your home, simply go online to: www.answers.com and type in the chemical names in the page search bar.

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www.lovemymat.com

Natural Cleaners

2008-03-10T02:25:00Z

Spring cleaning -- keep it pure, simple
Posted by www.stargazettenews.com
March 5, 2008

The best part of spring cleaning is opening the doors and windows to welcome fresh air and sunshine. Why not add to that spring freshness with natural cleaners?

Taken from the flowers, bark, leaves and other parts of plants, essential oils are as natural as fresh air and sunshine. Many have their own properties as disinfectants, grease cutters and deterrents to pests -- and they impart fresh and pleasing aromas that linger long after your chores are finished.

Natural cleaning products are increasingly available in stores, but you can also easily and economically make your own mixtures with just a few basic ingredients. Chances are some of these ingredients, such as baking soda, white vinegar and borax, are already in your cupboards. One hundred percent pure essential oils can be found at natural products stores or at Web sites such as www.auracacia.com.

Homemade natural cleaning products are versatile; many can be used for a variety of tasks. Because essential oils are in a highly concentrated form, often only a few drops are needed for a solution that can take you through several cleaning cycles. Not only do you save money -- your homemade cleansers will work just as well as commercially produced cleaners without harming the environment.

"Choices abound," says Tom Havran, aromatherapy product developer. "From pine or lemon oil, whose essences suggest more traditional cleaning aromas, to tea tree and grapefruit, which people might not think of as cleaning ingredients."

Not sure which oil to start with? Here are some of Havran's suggestions:

•Pine is inexpensive and clean smelling. It is effective as both a disinfectant and deodorizer.

•Lavender has a pleasing scent, is antibacterial and deters insects such as moths.

•Tea tree oil has a sharp, spicy scent and is a good disinfectant and deodorizer.

•Lemon is fresh and clean-smelling. It's also acidic, providing antibacterial and antiseptic cleaning properties.

•Grapefruit has a clean and uplifting aroma that eliminates odors -- even strong pet odors.

-- ARAcontent

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How to Wash Your Yoga Mat

2008-03-09T20:25:00Z

How to Wash Your Yoga Mat - By Donna Raskin

Taken from article published by Yoga Journal

If you've lost the manufacturer's directions or aren't sure who made your yoga mat, here's a refresher on how to keep your mat clean.

If your mat is lightly soiled, use a spray bottle, damp sponge, or terry cloth rag to apply a cleaning solution. Rub the soiled areas. Wipe the mat with clean water; then rub with a dry terry cloth towel. Hang to air dry.

If your mat is heavily soiled, submerge it in a solution of warm water and mild detergent; use very little soap as any residue may cause the mat to become slippery during future use. Thoroughly hand wash the mat and rinse in clean water. After squeezing out the excess water, lay the mat on a dry towel and roll the mat and towel together. Stepping on the rolled up mat will squeeze more moisture out of the mat and into the towel. Then unroll and hang to air dry.

Thanks to Donna for publishing this helpful article. But who has the time or knowledge to create a safe and effective cleaning solution for their mat, which won't leave residue? If you're among the thousands of busy yogis out there - why not try Love my mat's 100% Organic Yoga Mat Cleanser?
You can read more about it here at Love my mat

Partner Yoga

2008-03-09T20:19:00Z

Keen on Getting Close - written by Kelly Golden
see full article here; www.yogabasics.com/connect/keen-on-getting-close.html

If you're planning on practicing partner yoga, or just getting close with others in your class, be sure you have a clean nice smelling mat to help everyone have a happier, healthier practice!
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Only weeks before I’m scheduled to co-teach a partner yoga workshop, I receive a link entitled, Why I hate partner yoga. The irony did not go unnoticed.

To be honest, I haven’t practiced that much partner yoga, and taught even less. But, when my friend approached me about teaming up for a workshop, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn more. First, I do not have an aversion to sweat. I am a vinyasa teacher and practitioner, and sweat is part of the process. For the most part, I like people, and I love to share yoga, so we were off to a great start. And the stroke of luck that sealed the deal was that my partner for the workshop was well versed in the workings of this practice.

The workshop varied somewhat from my experience of partner yoga in the past which was more akin to the article referenced above. Maybe I just had a better understanding of yoga in general, or maybe I was subtly rebelling against what I had just read, in either case, the experience was fun, communal, and very respectful. Crucial to the understanding of this workshop was the fact that it was not meant to be a yoga “practice.” The purpose was to provide an experience of yoga asana meant to support and deepen your personal practice, and to do this while cultivating an outward reaching connection. Just as many times in yoga class, we are working at what we think is our limit or our deepest point, completely engrossed in ourselves, and our instructor comes to our mat and with a gentle laying on of hands, helps us to find a deeper experience of an asana that takes us out of our heads and into life for a moment, so partnering in asana can help us break our own personal and mental boundaries, and therefore provide the tools to experience our personal practice at a deeper level.

see full article here; http://www.yogabasics.com/connect/keen-on-getting-close.html

Ayurvedic Medicine - Lavender Heals!

2008-03-07T23:56:00Z

Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Muscle Cramp

An article by Subodh Jain

Published February 09, 2008
View Full Article; http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/51809?2ca0e350

Aromatherapy
Ease your aching, cramping muscles with a delightfully soothing rosemary lavender massage. To prepare the blend, combine 3 drops each of German chamomile, rosemary, and ginger; 8 drops of lavender; and a If ounce of almond or avocado oil. Massage the oil into the affected muscles after a relaxing, warm bath. For a different blend, try Roman chamomile, bay, peppermint, and safflower oils. Other beneficial oils include marjoram and clary sage.

Ayurvedic Medicine
In Ayurveda, muscle cramping and spasms are caused by excess vata, which is increased by cold, too much exercise, or poor blood circulation. An Ayurvedic practitioner may suggest massaging the affected muscle with oil of shatavari to relax the muscle fibers. He also may encourage you to soak your feet in hot mustard tea.

Bodywork and Somatic Pradices

Acupressure and shiatsu are excellent modalities to address cramps.

Chiropradic
Specific chiropractic adjustment (SCA) can be especially helpful in decreasing muscle cramps through active stimulation of the nerves supplying the muscles. Electro muscle stimulation and either moist heat or cold applications can decrease muscle cramps. (Moist heat application is typically used for chronic cramping; cold application, such as ice, is typically used for acute episodes.) The chiropractor may also perform or prescribe cross friction. A nutritional consult should be obtained in cases of chronic cramping. For example, patients Who perience chronic charley horses (cramping of the calf muscles) may be deficient in electrolytes.

Hydrotherapy
Try one or more of the following treatments:
Apply hot or cold packs to the affected muscle for 20 minutes several times daily, until symptoms subside. Some people prefer the hot moist heat; others do best with cool compresses.

Take a hot bath-either immersion or sitz for 20 to 60 minutes as needed.

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