We all know how important it is to eat healthy, organic foods and how our diet choices affect our bodies. We are also much more aware about how using natural skin products and makeup is good for our skin. We are even starting to use more natural home products such as detergents, but have you thought about how important it is to also wear natural-fabric clothing?
Most people don’t think about the harmful effect of synthetic man-made materials on our planet, or the lesser publicized impact of these fabrics on our bodies. With the activewear trend in full force, many companies are producing fast fashion lycra and nylon collections which can be developed and created very cheaply to quickly match the trends. These disposable fashions are not built to last and they are not made in consideration of our planet. Did you know that the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world?!
These cheap materials can cause havoc on the environment, as they are very hard to biodegrade, if at all. They use thousands of liters of water to produce and the cheap quality of the material can cause havoc on our bodies, especially for women as they don’t let the skin breathe and they can be a harbor for bacteria.
The skin is the largest organ and whatever it touches can be absorbed through our pores and into our blood stream. This is particularly scary when you think about the chemical fertilizers that are sprayed onto non-organic fabrics and the colors and dyes used in fast fashion.
Conventional cotton uses lots of pesticides in the farming process that end up in rivers and effect our natural ecosystem. This is dangerous for farmers, especially in developing countries, where they often don’t know how to handle pesticides properly. Cotton requires huge amounts of water for irrigation. The average cotton T-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water from cultivation to dyeing, according to the World Widelife Fund. The soil degradation and water retention also affects the quality of the land, therefore farmers also face declining yields and a reduced production.
What alternatives do we have?
Natural fabrics such as organic cotton and bamboo are way eco-friendlier. Both are biodegradable, fast growing, sustainable and avoid the use of fertilizers and chemicals, so they are much better for the environment. Thus, living the Aimsa limb of yoga!
Bamboo, is a sustainable and environmentally low-impact fabric. It grows faster and absorbs more carbon dioxide than hardwood trees. It’s ideal for yoga clothing as it’s naturally anti-bacterial, breathable and wicks away sweat. It moulds to the body, providing excellent stretch capabilities and is particularly good for sensitive skin.
Organic cotton is a breathable, durable fabric that keeps its shape, doesn’t fade, bobble or stretch and feels amazing on. Look for Oeko-Tex certified fabrics, which means they have a low carbon footprint and biodegradable fibres. In addition, consider that the cotton you wear is GOTS certified organic — ethically grown, chemical free and responsibly manufactured.
Where to find such clothing? Check out our partner’s organic products at AsquithLondon.com. Their collection Bambor® is a blend of organic cotton, bamboo and a tiny amount of Elastane (to provide additional stretch capabilities). It is super soft, wicks away sweat and moulds to your body to provide unrivalled comfort and flexibility.
Want to wear them on a yoga holiday? Go to BookYogaRetreats.com and find an eco-friendly yoga retreat!