elephant (then, Lindsay) received this review item for free. That said, we always say what we think, nicely. ~ ed.

Who made your yoga pants?

Inner Waves Organics practices elephant journal’s idea of the mindful life.

Most yoga apparel sold in the U.S. is not organic and isn’t even produced in the States. They are cheaply mass-produced yoga/running pants and T-shirts that were made with chemicals that are harsh on the body and the environment. And then, they put a picture of Buddha or an OM symbol on it—totally contradictory to their business practices.

So many companies sell a way of life, a set of values that they don’t even practice themselves.

Inner Waves Organics stays true to the yogi lifestyle by supporting the organic industry, the environment and our bodies.

What many people do not know is that cotton is the most chemically-treated and least sustainable crop manufactured in the U.S. and abroad.

Think about how many items of clothing you own that are cotton, and then multiply that by the amount of people in the U.S. That’s a lot of cotton—so I can understand why this crop is so unsustainably produced, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

We don’t have to buy clothing that was produced with chemicals that waste unimaginable amounts of fresh water. We don’t have to buy clothing that was produced abroad in factories that most clothing companies do not disclose the truth about. We should support more companies like Inner Waves Organics—they disclose the who, where, what and why’s of their industry.

I love that Inner Waves not only produces yoga and other exercise attire but that they are socially and environmentally responsible.

Their clothing is produced with fair working standards in the States.

That means we can comfortably wear clothing that was made with human integrity. The workers are paid fair wages and work in conditions that you and I would deem just.

The next part that I love about Inner Waves Organics is that the clothing is made with organic cotton from the States. They are true to the mission by delivering chemical free, comfy clothing that respects the Earth.

I practice yoga and I love to lounge around in comfy pants. After learning about how unsustainable cotton is, I decided that I needed to make a change. And since I sweat a lot in yoga class, I wanted clothing that wouldn’t have chemicals that seep into my skin. So, I ordered a pair of the sunset orange Moana pants—and they’re my new favorite yoga/lounging-around pants.

The waist band is a great length to where I can fold it down if I am wearing a tighter t-shirt or have it all the way up for some support. I am five foot five and 135 pounds and I ordered a large. Maybe I should have ordered a medium, but they still look great. If you are shorter than me, then they may be a tad too long, but that’s always an easy fix. This style of pant comes in nine muted earthy tones.

The Moana pants were $68, which is not too bad. A lot of yoga clothing companies charge $80 to $100 for pants that are not even ethically produced. My future yoga purchases will come from socially and environmentally conscious companies.

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Lindsay Friedman is a senior studying environmental science and sustainable development at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is an intern at elephant journal and has a part time job at The Fitter. She is a true Chicagoan turned mountain girl. Follow her on twitter: Laine0315.

 

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Editor: Kate Bartolotta