Surya Namaskars are best done with your feet planted solidly on a well-made yoga mat. Bonus points if it’s sustainably made.
Seona is the founder of Eco Yoga. Eco Yoga makes yoga mats from natural plant based materials: 100% natural rubber and hessian. The rubber compound is environmentally neutral, so at the end of the mat’s life it can be composted and or safely used in the garden – making them completely eco-friendly.
Why I do what I do:
From an early age I became acutely aware of the effect that humans have on each other and on their surroundings. The concept of being “eco”did not become a mission, it was just common sense.
Initially I needed a mat for my own yoga practice that satisfied the functionality/aesthetic harmony that I find necessary within the things that I engage with on a daily basis.
At that point I’d been practising yoga for 10 years and knew this was something that would always be a part of my life. My training in fine art, indian dance and martial art allowed me a particular approach and perspective.
Providing these mats for others allows me to share something that is profound to me, but in an anonymous manner.
Yoga Mat
Where I do it:
I work from home in Edinburgh, though I will often visit the factory during production.
What drives me on:
If anything drives me it’s my own practice of yoga. There have been many difficulties over the years, but stepping on to the mat every morning gives substance and meaning to the challenges that I face.
Seona on her mat.
What I’m working on:
I’m trying to not be disillusioned by the commercial yoga world! When there is already so much stuff out there to consume I can easily feel that creating another product is just adding to the mayhem.
Having said that, I research bags for the mats from time to time. I have discovered some fascinating materials over the years and always keep an ear open for developments in material technology.
My Soapbox:
I am passionate about not taking anything for granted. It’s a broad statement but it touches everything in life: your family, friends and people you meet, the things you buy, the decisions you make, the way you behave and live !
My current passion is composting and knowing what makes a good soil for growing fruit and vegetables. I love the fact that my allotment has shown me how not to take the availability of fresh produce for granted!
