In January 2020 we launched our first Yogamatters Eco Clothing Collection. A sustainable range of soft and comfortable yoga wear for everyone. We are now introducing, the new and improved Yogamatters Eco Clothing Collection. The soft and sustainable yoga wear you love, in fresh colours and uplifted styles.
We took a moment to chat with the beautiful models from the Eco Clothing photoshoot that helped bring this collection to life.
Joy
Why is it important for you that yoga is a diverse and inclusive practice?
I am new to yoga & am enamored with the fact that anybody of any age, size or ability can engage in the practice. My current favourite is stretching. I hadn’t realised how stiff I’d become!!
What do you like about yoga? What inspires you to practice in your own authentic way?
I like the fact that after a yoga session one feels totally loose & relaxed.
I’m inspired to practice regularly as after the year we’ve all experienced I have created my own authentic evening wind down sessions.
What brings you back to the mat?
I’m am brought back to my mat by the need to relieve myself of the daily stresses of work, using public transport & family life.
What was your favourite piece or detail from the Eco Clothing Collection?
Now this is tough as I loved all the pieces. But I would like to emphasise the softness & quality of all the pieces together with the inclusive size range.
Lee
Why is it important for you that yoga is a diverse and inclusive practice?
One of; if not the biggest reasons, why it is paramount that yoga is an inclusive and diverse practice – is simply because the idea of engaging with wellness shouldn’t be a privilege afforded only to certain select groups…
I often find, that ideas of wellness and self care are quite often misconstrued as -just- self indulgence or frivolity, when in fact, they are so much more than that; they are opportunities to engage with behaviours, and habits that are restorative… supportive… encouraging; ultimately helping our whole, entire, selves to thrive!
So I am constantly thankful for the balance my practise has introduced into my life.
I want that for everyone.
But, I also know how disquieting it can be to constantly feel both invisible AND hyper visible because you are the only one who looks like you do in a yoga space -and I don’t want that for anyone else…
The more we position yoga as a diverse and inclusive practice, the more we encourage the implicit understanding that this practise is in fact for everyone, and hopefully eradicate these feelings of otherness that alienate people.
What do you like about yoga? What inspires you to practice in your own authentic way?
I love that it is a wholistic practise – it encompasses and encourages, engagement of the whole self…
It isn’t just about exploring the body, it requires exploration of also -the spirit and the mind.
What brings you back to the mat?
The need, and want to “take care of myself”. My yoga practise nourishes and restores me – endlessly!
What was your favourite piece or detail from the Eco Clothing Collection?
I loved the textures-so soft-, and the attention in adding design elements that show comfort in wearability is clearly a considered priority within the collection.
Hillary
Why is it important for you that yoga is a diverse and inclusive practice?
Whilst I’d heard about the relationship between practicing yoga and cultural appropriation previously, truthfully I never took the time to understand it until I listened to the ‘Yoga is Dead’ podcast by American-Indian yoga teachers Tejal Patel and Jesal Parikh.
They provide 6 incredibly well-researched episodes (fingers crossed for a season 2!) as well as an incredible amount of resources on their website – all of which taught me so much of the cultural, religious, and spiritual history of yoga which all my previous yoga teachers (and I’ve had many!) had failed to mention. Up until recently, I’d say 90% of my yoga teachers had been white, slim and able-bodied… so go figure!Without diversity, inclusion, plus an authentic desire to honour the roots of yoga, to me, it just feels disrespectful and not really what yoga is meant to be about. There’s a really toxic, appropriative narrative that dominates a lot of people’s perceptions of yoga with a huge focus on the physical… trying to perfect that Insta-perfect pose, trying to sweat it out to achieve that ‘yoga-body’ (whatever that is) and so on. When we forget about the spiritual, yoga becomes inaccessible for everyone who doesn’t fall within the margin of able-bodied whiteness.
That’s why I think it’s so important to champion inclusivity and diversity in yoga! It’s not just for one type of person… yoga is a spiritual practice for everybody and every body.
What do you like about yoga? What inspires you to practice in your own authentic way?
I love that yoga is an intimate moment between myself and my body. Regular yoga helps me improve my body literacy so much – those quiet reflective moments together really help me listen to what my body needs and that’s why I really enjoy self-practice. I also attend taught classes which help me learn more about the foundations of the poses, breathing techniques and yoga principles – but it’s the practice alone where it all really comes together.
I think I need to practice yoga in an authentic way to enjoy it! As someone who doesn’t really ‘get’ sports or gym culture, if I view it as just a physical practice, I don’t really like it as much. When I view it as something that helps me be a kinder, healthier person, that makes it easier for me to roll out the mat.
What brings you back to the mat?
Like everybody, there will be times when I take a bit of time away from yoga – and boy do I always notice the difference. I find that little aches and pains will creep in throughout the time I’m not doing it, I’ll be snappier, feel more tired and my overall mood will just be a bit ‘meh’… that’s when I know it’s time to get back to the mat!
What was your favourite piece or detail from the Eco-Clothing Collection?
Definitely the Eco-high rise legging and matching crop yoga top They’re really comfy and cosy for a winter practice, but the organic cotton keeps it breathable and cool for warmer classes too. I also like how supported and strong the fabric feels – it doesn’t go all over the place in bendy poses, which is saying something for yoga clothes!
Maikki
Why is it important for you that yoga is a diverse and inclusive practice?
Yoga is for everyone and for all levels so it’s important to normalise the practice by making it as accessible as possible. I had my prejudices when I started my first ever yoga class a few years ago but I was lucky to have a teacher who made yoga fun, non-judgemental and even a creative practice. It’s all about being comfortable, getting stronger both in your mind and body.
What do you like about yoga? What inspires you to practice in your own authentic way?
Yoga has helped me to slow down and restore in this hectic world we live in. Because of our modern way of living, I’ve “suffered” from what you may call the short attention span syndrome. I have this constant feeling of being more productive even though I know that I don’t have to be. I’ve now realised during my yoga practice that only by slowing down and focusing on your breath, can you stay productive and be the best version of yourself.
What brings you back to the mat?
Right now more than ever, the opening of studios and meeting people IRL again has made every step onto the mat a happy occasion!
What was your favourite piece or detail from the Eco-Clothing Collection?
The sumptuous softness of the fabric is just divine! Practicing yoga in them has never been so comfy.
Shop the Yogamatters Eco Clothing Collection here.
