Courtesy Of Yoga Design Lab.Remember the dark ages of yoga mats, when your only choices were beige, navy, or army-green? OK, maybe thing were never that bleak — but we're loving the growing trend of chic mats splashed with colorful designs and patterns. (We've got a soft spot for high-performing gear that also looks amazing.)
The minds behind Yoga Design Lab, the new brand that's popping up on our radar this month, want to make your yoga practice a bit more comfortable and a lot more colorful. “I wanted to create mats that got people excited to practice yoga,” founder Chad Turner says. “The inspiration came from Bali and appreciation for colors that make your heart dance.” The brand came about in a very eat-pray-Zen way: “I sold my stuff, packed up a couple bags, and moved to Bali with the goal of creating a line of yoga accessories that would inspire people around the world,” Turner explains.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a basic mat. If it’s durable, has enough cushioning, and is sticky enough to prevent slips, it's all you need. But, we're all for combining comfort with self-expression via a luxe mat that also speaks to a personal aesthetic. Yoga Design Lab offers two mat styles and a towel, and each product has an eco-friendly component; the hot-yoga mats are made from a biodegradable, natural tree rubber and non-toxic, water-based inks. There’s also a basic, solid-black design made from “eco-friendly memory foam.” We haven’t tested the mats out yet but are itching to try 'em. And, while practicing on these beauties may not improve a struggling crow pose, the pretty view may just make falling more fun.
Now, if only the mats also came with an embedded aromatherapy diffuser that sprays the scent of a Bali beach mid-practice...