(Clockwise from bottom right) JURU
Mandala Cork Yoga Mat, `2,500; Deivee
by Milind Soman Dhyana Vetiver
Meditation Yoga Mat, `2,499; Spiritual
Warrior Zobhana Yoga Mat, `5,200;
Kosha Yoga Blue Foliage Mat, `4,499PURE
INTENTIONSMADE IN INDIA
A ROUND-UP OF THE BEST YOGA MATSKOSHA YOGA
With a rubber base and microfibre top layer, they allow for steadiness and balance
while moving through the asanas. http://www.koshayoga.co
DEIVEE BY MILIND SOMAN
Before there were cork, rubber, and PVC mats, ancient yogis practiced on cloth
and jute dhurries. Hark back to those times with these cotton and jute mats that are
non-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable. http://www.deivee.com
SPIRITUAL WARRIOR
These Oeko Tex certified mats offer a good grip and stability, and are painted with
beautiful illustrations. http://www.spiritualwarriorshop.com
JURU
Eco-conscious, anti-slip, and antimicrobial, these mats made with materials such as
cork, natural rubber, jute, and cotton. http://www.juruyoga.comAs someone who
loves practicing yoga on a daily
basis, I have tried innumerable mats:
Everything from the ‘lifetime’ guarantee
variety to biodegradable ones. Still, it’s hard to
come across a brand like Rumi. Its founder Ritesh
Kalati 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 inspired
by his barber who, at 39, was a gymnast competing at the state level. “He looked like someone
in his late 20s and he had been doing yoga since his teens.” At the insistence of his barber, Kalati
began 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 made
from plant fibres, minerals from the earth, and natural rubber—no synthetics or plastics. The rubber
used comes from farm-grown trees. Shallow incisions are made on these trees to only get the sap
and ensure that they live long, healthy lives. “When people ask me where I make things, I say
wherever 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. They
also absorb sweat to prevent slippage. But if you, like me, prefer a mat with less traction so
you can slide your toes from an upward into downward dog, then you may enjoy the
Earth Mat more. The best thing about Rumi mats is that when you want to discard
them, 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 the
consequences of our actions as that’s the last
mile in doing any kind of work.”(Clockwise from top left) Ritesh
Kalati, founder of Rumi; Sun
Yoga Mat in Midnight, `6,450;
Earth Meditation Mat in Peacock,
`2,250; Sun Yoga Mat in
Peacock, `6,450; Moon Yoga
Mat in Leaf Green; `3,450; Earth
Yoga Mat in Graphite, `6,950Ethical, sustainable, and
conscious—why Rumi
isn’t just another yoga mat
By Vasudha RaiALL IMAGES COURTESY THE BRANDS