If you're a regular yogi, having the right yoga mat or yoga clothes can make all the difference. Purchasing a few high quality items is worth the investment because it improves comfort, helps prevent injury, and enhances the enjoyment you get from each practice. Let's face it – we all know the joy that wearing the perfect pair of yoga pants can bring to each session!
That's why we've put together a guide to our favourite yoga gear. The majority of these brands are local – we love supporting other Canadian companies on a similar mission – but there's also a few honourable mentions for extraordinary companies across the border as well.
Ready? Let's go!
Yoga Clothes
The most basic rule of thumb for purchasing yoga clothes is that they should be comfortable and facilitate movement. Ideally, you want form fitting yoga clothes so that they don't get in the way of movement, and so that you can check your form and alignment easily.
And since you'll be getting nice and sweaty, where possible avoid clothes that only use nylon and polyester and opt for brands that incorporate cotton into their blend, as it absorbs sweat quite efficiently and keeps you cool.
Inner Fire
WHO THEY ARE
Inner Fire is a sustainable and purpose driven, eco-friendly yoga and lifestyle clothing company founded in Vancouver in 2011 by Leah Emmott.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
Inner Fire goes above and beyond to be eco-friendly in their approach. Their yoga pants are made from BPA-free recycled water bottles, their tank tops are hand printed in house with eco-friendly water based inks, and a portion of their profits goes back to charities like One Tree Planted and supporting First Nations communities.
We're also in love with their gorgeous prints, patterns and graphic tank tops with cute, inspiring and cheeky copy!
Lole
WHO THEY ARE
Lole is a Montreal-based activewear clothing company founded in 2002 by Evelyn Trempe and husband Eric D’Anjou, who had formerly created a ski wear line called Onge. They have a pretty big presence – they have over 50 dedicated retail stores in addition to their presence at other retail outlets and online.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
You can feel the quality when you wear Lole products. We've found their products to fit extremely well and appreciate their commitment to using sustainable materials and abiding by fair trade practices.
They also offer an ambassador program for health and wellness professionals that guarantees a significant discount. (Yoga instructors, personal trainers, nutritionists, massage therapists...are you listening!?)
Lastly, we love their dedication towards improving others lives. Since 2012, Lole has hosted an annual 'white tour', a unique yoga and meditation event dedicated to peace. They also run the Yellow Label Program, where you can trade in a used winter coat for a $50 gift card. That winter coat is then sold at a pop up store with all proceeds going to local food banks.
Karma Athletic
WHO THEY ARE
Karma Athletic is a fashion-driven activewear brand that was founded in Vancouver in 2004. It started as a brand exclusively for hot yoga, and has expanded ever since into other areas.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
Karma Athletic is extremely fashion forward, blurring the lines between activewear and streetwear. (Basically, you'll look cool!)
Of course, it's not just about fashion. Karma is committed to local manufacturing, runs community yoga events and promotes Canadian yoga instructors – also called 'Activists' on their website – and shares their journey and business details online.
Tititka Active
WHO THEY ARE
Tititka Active is an activewear brand founded in Toronto in 2009 by Eileen Zhang and Courtney Brooke. Aside from regular activewear, they also sell jackets, knitwear, outerwear, sweatshirts and some accessories.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
They have a lot of variety when it comes to style and also their price range, so there's truly something for everyone.
What's unique about them is that they own and manage their own production company abroad, which means they can ensure high quality fabric and ethical working conditions. The technology behind their fabric seems to be cutting edge in order to ensure breathable, odour-free, moisture-wicking fabric.
Tititka Active also runs an ambassador program called #tititkafitsquad that offers 30% off year round to all types of fitness instructors and coaches.
Kindness Warrior
WHO THEY ARE
Kindness Warrior is a clothing brand that encourages showing up with courage and compassion and serving yourself and others, with warmth and grace!
WHY WE LOVE THEM
Their clothing line has a really low carbon footprint since everything is locally designed and handprinted in Uxbridge. What we love most however, is that a percentage of proceeds from every item goes towards carrying out random acts of kindness!
Yoga Mats
A good yoga mat is like a reliable relationship – stable, not slippery, and provides enough support.
Thickness will come down to personal preference; this can range between 1/16 inch to 1/4 inch. A thicker yoga mat will offer more cushion and support, but may be heavy and difficult to carry around. It may also be difficult to feel a connection to the floor, so you may have a little less stability. On the other hand, thinner mats are light and portable, but may offer less cushion and protection.
Lastly, keep in mind that some conventional yoga mats contain chemicals such as dyes and phthalates, which can add to the toxic load in your body and disrupt your hormones. Ideally, opt for yoga mats that are made from natural plant fibers, natural rubber or other biodegradable materials.
PVC is the most common material used in most yoga mats, but if eco-friendliness is important to you it's best to skip this material.
B Mats (by B Yoga)
WHO THEY ARE
B Yoga is a yoga accessories company founded in Toronto by Andrea Morris. Their most popular item is the B Mat, followed by other accessories like bolsters and cushions, and a handful of yoga apparel.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
B MATs are made of 100% rubber (a mixture of natural and synthetic) so they're super sticky no matter how sweaty your class! What's great about them is how long they last – unlike cheaper mats you'll find this one to be a high quality investment for the long-term.
Mukta Being
WHO THEY ARE
A Canadian owned and operated company that creates eco-friendly, consciously crafted premium cork yoga mats, blocks and wellness products.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
Cork yoga mats are perhaps the most eco-friendly, sustainable material that can be used for yoga mats. And yes, we're talking about the same material that you find on a wine bottle!
The material comes from the bark of a tree found in the Mediterranean and is harvested by stripping down the bark of trees, which naturally regrows. There's no wasteful residue in the process, making it an ideal renewable resource.
What's more, cork is naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-fungal. It won't smell over time and becomes extra grippy with moisture.
To top it off, cork yoga mats are really, really beautiful.
Manduka (eKo mat)
WHO THEY ARE
Manduka was founded in 1997 in California, and built by and for yoga teachers and their students. It is perhaps best known for its black mat, a market leader when it comes to quality and performance. Manduka also makes towels, props and apparel.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
They last a very long time (we're talking 10 years and over), and are unmatched when it comes to quality. In fact, they even offer a lifetime guarantee.
All their mats are free from toxic chemicals, dyes and phthalates.
While their Pro line is made from PVC, we prefer using their eKo Mats line, which is made from biodegradable natural tree rubber, manufactured with zero waste and no harmful plasticizers.
JadeYoga
WHO THEY ARE
Jade is an American, family-owned company that was founded in 2000 with the mission to provide a non slippery, and non-toxic, natural yoga mat. All manufacturing takes place in the U.S. to ensure high quality and ethical working conditions.
They also have a Canadian website and distribute through Stezo Importers Distributors, run by Toronto-based Steef Zoetmulder.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
These yoga mats are extremely comfortable and eco-friendly at the same time! This is because natural rubber is a renewable resource and provides better resilience and cushion than synthetic counterparts.
The company has also partnered with Trees for the Future since 2006, with the commitment to plant a tree for every mat sold – over one million trees have been planted till date. 
Yoga Accessories
Having yoga accessories on hand such as bolsters, blocks and straps are just as important as the mat itself. They lend that extra support to help us get deeper into a pose and feel the benefits that yoga has to offer, without sacrificing comfort.
Just for a little fun, we've also included yoga jewelry into this section. You may wish to buy yoga jewelry to support small Canadian business owners, to aid meditation, or as a symbol of your spiritual journey.
Love My Mat
WHO THEY ARE
Interestingly enough, this is not a yoga mat company! Love My mat is a Canadian yoga and meditation accessories company founded in 2008 by mother and daughter team Shelley and Kathy from Hamilton, Ontario.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
All their accessories are absolutely beautiful and made from reused fabrics that would have gone to the landfill otherwise, such as curtains, clothing etc.
You'll find bolsters, straps, bags, cushions, eye pillows and more. But we'll let the photos below do more of the talking!
Shanti Collective
WHO THEY ARE
Shanti Collective was founded by Rachel, an artist with a love for yoga and travel. She is located in Victoria, BC and makes malas, bracelets and gorgeous handmade yoga-inspired jewelry.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
We love the founder, Rachel's intention behind the brand. As she puts it, Shanti Collective is meant to be, "a peaceful collective of spiritual jewelry, made for others to find their own sense of inner tranquility."
Salt Spring Malas
WHO THEY ARE
Salt Spring Malas are designed and made by Jaqueline Medalye in Salt Spring Island, BC. She creates mala beads, bracelets and necklaces using fine gemstones and metals at the foundation.
WHY WE LOVE THEM
Not only is the jewelry absolutely beautiful, but it's extremely durable and high quality so that it can be used for daily meditation practice. Salt Spring Malas also offers jewelry for specific chakras, Ayurvedic doshas and for meditations of varying lengths.
Yoga Supplements
Yoga is extremely physically demanding and yet, many yogis only drink a glass of water to recover after a sweaty practice. Natural supplements are a fantastic option for speeding up muscle recovery, enhancing performance on the mat and sustaining a yoga practice over the long, especially as we age.
Niyama™
WHO WE ARE
Niyama Yoga Wellness was founded by Jillian Mariani in 2018. She is a yoga instructor and has over 20 years of experience in the natural health products industry. Having used clinically proven herbs and nutrients to support her own yoga practice, she decided to put this knowledge to work into a carefully crafted line of supplements exclusively for the yoga community.
WHAT WE DO
We are the only line of supplements on the market that cater to the yoga community, to enhance and sustain your yoga practice. All of our supplements are vegan, free from additives, sugar-free, non-GMO and organic where possible. You can learn more about our mission and philosophy here.
You can also explore our products here.
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