Guided by our own beliefs, we are striving to create as green a space as possible. Here are some of our green concepts:
Unlike most hardwood floors, bamboo is not produced from a tree but an extremely fast growing grass. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth. In fact, bamboo grows one third faster than the fastest growing tree. Some species can grow up to 1 meter per day and up to 60 feet in height within 90 days. What really makes this unique flooring material truly an environmental miracle is the fact that the plant is a renewable resource. Once harvested, the bamboo root system merely sprouts a new shoot the following rainy season. In addition, unlike traditional hardwoods, which are harvested every 40 to 60 years, bamboo can be harvested every 3 to 5 years.
Interestingly enough, bamboo is found to be an important component for erosion control in Asia. Bamboo's erosion protection capabilities lie in the extensive root system. Unlike forestry practices here in North America, bamboo has become a critical instrument for protecting hillsides, riverbanks and roads; moreover, bamboo is becoming a key effort in reforestation and protection in areas, which are prone to earthquakes.
The studio will use Radiant Heating Panels that were designed by the Environmental Protection Agency for Energy Efficiency. The panels can be used in homes or commercial environments and can often cut energy consumption (or costs) whether gas or electric by up to 40%.
Most paints contain VOC's (volatile organic compounds), which once in the atmosphere, react with other chemicals to form ozone, a major component of pollution. Even paints that start out VOC free take
on some VOCs when colorant is added. The paint used by Moksha Yoga studios is completely VOC free, including all colorants. Since much of a Moksha class is focused on breathing, this choice is also optimal
from a health perspective.
Water filters will be placed on taps to provide clean and pure drinking water. The Ametek Carbon filtration system filters out chemicals such as chlorine, lead and other dissolved heavy metals, rust particles,
sediment, silt, as well as other VOC's and pesticides.
Our washer is a front loader built for low water consumption. It uses less than one third the water of a regular washer its size. Our dryer is also highly energy efficient.
As with all Moksha studios, Moksha Yoga Waterloo will use Nature Clean and CitraSolve for all of the studio cleaning. The products are hypo-allergenic (contain no perfumes, dyes, formaldehyde preservatives, ammonia or other common allergens). They are plant based and thus can biodegrade very efficiently. They also do not off-gas preventing the inhalation of the chemicals released from standard household cleaners.
To keep the rental mats clean we use Benefect, a disinfectant made of plant products such as Thyme, Clove and Lemongrass. It naturally accelerates the germ-killing processes within plants; similar to our immune system. Benefect is certified by Health Canada as an 'anti-fungal' agent, proven to kill over 99.99% of bacteria, mold and mildew using aroma-therapeutic biodegradable plant extracts. It is strong enough to use in hospitals and safe enough to drink! Benefect will also be used for some cleaning.
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