BAZAAR

(Clockwise from bottom right) JURUMandala Cork Yoga Mat, `2,500; Deiveeby Milind Soman Dhyana VetiverMeditation Yoga Mat, `2,499; SpiritualWarrior Zobhana Yoga Mat, `5,200;Kosha Yoga Blue Foliage Mat, `4,499``````PUREINTENTIONS``````MADE IN INDIAA ROUND-UP OF THE BEST YOGA MATS``````KOSHA YOGAWith a rubber base and microfibre top layer, they allow for steadiness and balancewhile moving through the asanas. http://www.koshayoga.coDEIVEE BY MILIND SOMANBefore there were cork, rubber, and PVC mats, ancient yogis practiced on clothand jute dhurries. Hark back to those times with these cotton and jute mats that arenon-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable. http://www.deivee.comSPIRITUAL WARRIORThese Oeko Tex certified mats offer a good grip and stability, and are painted withbeautiful illustrations. http://www.spiritualwarriorshop.comJURUEco-conscious, anti-slip, and antimicrobial, these mats made with materials such ascork, natural rubber, jute, and cotton. http://www.juruyoga.com``````As someone wholoves practicing yoga on a dailybasis, I have tried innumerable mats:Everything from the ‘lifetime’ guaranteevariety to biodegradable ones. Still, it’s hard tocome across a brand like Rumi. Its founder RiteshKalati is an ardent yogi who’s been practicing for a decade.“I have the most unusual story about how I began my practice,” he says. He was inspiredby his barber who, at 39, was a gymnast competing at the state level. “He looked like someonein his late 20s and he had been doing yoga since his teens.” At the insistence of his barber, Kalatibegan doing yoga in 2007.As he progressed in his practice, he realised that he wasn’t happy with the mats on offer.What started as a prototype for personal use snowballed into a plan for a new business.Rumi is a line of completely natural and sustainable yoga mats and accessories. The mats are madefrom plant fibres, minerals from the earth, and natural rubber—no synthetics or plastics. The rubberused comes from farm-grown trees. Shallow incisions are made on these trees to only get the sapand ensure that they live long, healthy lives. “When people ask me where I make things, I saywherever the trees are. We first find them and then use technology to convert that into a product.”The Sun and Moon Yoga Mats are of open-foam rubber, which ofers a good grip. Theyalso absorb sweat to prevent slippage. But if you, like me, prefer a mat with less traction soyou can slide your toes from an upward into downward dog, then you may enjoy theEarth Mat more. The best thing about Rumi mats is that when you want to discardthem, they quickly reintegrate into the earth.“Basically it’s a matter of intention and consciousness,” Kalati says.“I call it consequential thinking. We need to decide theconsequences of our actions as that’s the lastmile in doing any kind of work.”``````(Clockwise from top left) RiteshKalati, founder of Rumi; SunYoga Mat in Midnight, `6,450;Earth Meditation Mat in Peacock,`2,250; Sun Yoga Mat inPeacock, `6,450; Moon YogaMat in Leaf Green; `3,450; EarthYoga Mat in Graphite, `6,950``````Ethical, sustainable, andconscious—why Rumiisn’t just another yoga matBy Vasudha RaiALL IMAGES COURTESY THE BRANDS