October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States.

I think most of us have been touched by breast cancer is some way in our lives. I know for me, my personal experience was when a family friend was diagnosed—my brother’s best friend’s mom. I didn’t know her that well, but I would see her when she came to drop her son off at our house and I remember seeing her take her wig off and show my mom her hair that was growing in. I remember my mom shaking her head and telling my dad that she was only 38 at the time.

Gaiam has released their Pink Ribbon II yoga mat in honor of breast cancer. For every yoga mat that is sold, $1.00 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This yoga mat is colored a bright pink, which definitely stuck out amongst the pale green and blue mats that decorate the floor of the yoga studio I attend. Inspirational words such as “hope,” “live,” and “believe” are printed in the shape of a ribbon.

The mat is thin—3 mm—which is perfect for an Iyengar yoga class since we often quarter our mats against the wall or drape them over a chair for various poses. It’s textured, non-slip surface is noted in the literature to be free of phthalates DEHP, DBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP. These chemicals are linked to possible illnesses such as breast cancer, endocrine disruption and obesity. It does not say, however, that they are completely free of all phthalates.

This mat is attractive, inspirational and works nicely in an Iyengar yoga class. It’s also awesome that they are donating a portion of proceeds to breast cancer research.

If you are looking for a yoga mat that is pretty and thin enough to fold up, this is a perfect match!

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Ed: Bryonie Wise