Yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. Beyond some of the more well-understood benefits – such as improved flexibility, balance and core strength – many practitioners will tell you that yoga can reduce stress and anxiety, tame inflammation, boost immunity, help with sleep and improve your overall quality of life.

Considering all the positives, you might not give much thought to the chemicals in your yoga mat when you’re lying face down in child’s pose. Maybe you should.

Some yoga mats contain polyvinyl chloride, better-known as PVC. I don’t want to get too deep in the weeds here, because not everyone is in agreement on the potential health threats of this widely used thermoplastic. If you want to learn more about PVC, you might want to Google it.

Needless to say, I like knowing that when my skin comes in direct, prolonged contact with something, that something doesn’t contain chemicals that could be harmful to my health – especially when I’m doing something that’s supposed to be healthy!

That’s one of the selling points of the Jade Harmony yoga mat.

This yoga mat is made with natural rubber tapped from rubber trees, “a rapidly renewable resource,” according to the manufacturer. It’s made in the United States (another plus in my book), although the rubber is imported.

“At JadeYoga, we prioritize your well-being and the planet’s health,” the company explains on the Amazon website. “Our mats are meticulously constructed and do not contain PVC, phthalates, heavy metals and harsh chemicals.”

Sticky, Grippy … and Smelly?

In addition to being a more sustainable material, the natural open-cell rubber “provides superior cushioning and support compared to synthetic-rubber alternatives,” according to JadeYoga, while “the non-slip surface ensures optimal stability, allowing you to maintain poses with confidence and ease.”

The Jade Harmony mat measures 3/16 of an inch thick by 25 inches wide, with two lengths available: 68 or 74 inches.

Some of the top reviews on Amazon call the Jade Harmony “durable,” “sticky” and “grippy.” One verified purchaser even claims the natural-rubber mat makes him “feel like a gecko on the wall.”

On the flip side, another verified purchaser notes that it takes a while for the rubber smell “to be less noticeable.” However, the same purchaser gives the Jade Harmony mat high marks overall.