Yoga mats are not that good for the environment.
Especially not one’s made from PVC - polyvinyl chloride - a polymer that leaches toxins at every stage in its life cycle. Add in the millions of tons of plastic waste found in our natural habitats each year and we have a plastic problem. Surely there is an alternative to pumping out toxic mats from unrecycled and unrecyclable plastic destined for landfill or worse.
Turns out there is! Last week I received a personal email letting me know about the Zen Tribe yoga mat; an eco yoga mat created by Kylie Jonkman. Kylie’s mat is made from surplus cork (natural, sustainable, antifungal and antibacterial) and recycled plastic waste (diverting it from landfill and natural habitats). I was super stoked, as this is a project that I’ve looked at doing myself (I even pitched it at The Big Pitch through my University in 2019), but through that process realised how much work it would take.
Kylie’s already there! She’s invested an incredible amount of her time and energy into creating the prototype and now, with the help of “Natwest’s Back Her Business” has launched a crowdfunder to get the first batch of Zen Tribe mats produced and available to buy. I wanted to learn more and also help share info about Zen Tribe, so am really grateful to Kylie for taking the time to answer a few questions.
Hi Kylie, it was so great to hear about you and Zen Tribe! Can you tell us how Zen Tribe began and what’s been a significant challenge of getting your own product off the ground?
Hi Natalie, thank you so much for reaching out and asking me about my new business. It all started after witnessing first hand the amount of plastic that littered our coasts, beaches and waterways I saw this from my regular surfing and diving trips, where marine life was being heavily affected by all the waste! I wanted to make a change and volunteered to do beach cleans with Surfers against Sewage and Mabul turtle sanctuary. But it wasn’t just this that triggered me to want to do more; it was after attending a hot yoga class where I wiped down my hired yoga mat with a plastic wipe. Whilst throwing it away I noticed all the other wipes in there, and the yoga mat idea came to me.
The biggest challenge was where to start and trying to locate a ethical supplier who also wanted to make a positive impact.
You’re based in Cardiff; is there a tribe of likeminded surf & yoga community members that help you feel supported?
Thankfully, yes. I am so grateful to have support from such a great yogic and sustainable tribe, which is continuously growing. Everyone in our tribe believes in our product as I do, that’s been a massive help and a ray of sunshine when things can get tough.
Why do you think it is so important to have an eco friendly yoga mat?
It’s important for the impact on our planet and all the amazing creatures that we have a privilege to share this amazing world with. Not forgetting we are the generation who can make a difference now for future generations.
You’re a keen surfer and a yogi, can you tell us a bit about your relationship with these practices?
I absolutely adore the ocean, I always have since being a kid. I grew up in Holland and it’s compulsory there to swim at a young age for safety! My nickname was a dolphin! Surfing came later - must be the aussie roots (I was born in Oz & my Father’s side is Aussie). I got addicted to it after travelling when I was 19 and haven’t stopped since. I love the freedom of surfing and being surrounded by the calming noise the waves create. I find surfing completely therapeutic, it helps calm my soul and balance my mind. I love it! As for yoga I’ve had an on and off relationship with it, I started as a teen and I remember it wasn’t as popular as it is now! It was only last year after a really bad break up I started practicing it again. I now combine yoga and meditation as a daily morning routine, which helps calm any anxiety I may have and gets me prepped for the day. It’s honestly change my life!
How have they helped inspire and evolve your business?
My daily yoga and meditation practice helps me to focus, realign and become centred. I also suffer from anxiety and low self confidence; yoga, meditation and surfing helps tremendously. Before lockdown I would surf all stresses or troubles away, who needs a therapist when you have the ocean.
Tell us more about the tree planting projects the Zen Tribe yoga mat supports.
I was looking for a UK based tree planting charity who plants trees within the UK, as a lot of our native woodlands have disappeared due to housing demands and mining, among other things. This has directly impacted our wildlife and nature. I decided to help support local charity The Woodland Trust who have the same passion for restoring the balance. By purchasing a mat from us, £5 will be donated to The Woodland Trust and in return 5 trees will be planted. This will also help reduce greenhouse gases, making it a better place for everyone.
You mentioned in your instagram videos, you’d love to connect with a business mentor… in an ideal world, what would that person be like?
Someone who is passionate about making a positive impact on our oceans and planet. Someone who is wanting to create a difference in how people interact with the world. And experience in selling, marketing and producing a product they’re passionate about.
How can we get involved, support Zen Tribe and make sure that your eco yoga mat business gets fully funded?
Every little bit helps, by following us on our social media platforms (Instagram: @zentribe_uk), sharing & tagging fellow yogis, surfers & eco lovers this all a great start! Helping us to spread the word and share our mission. You can also help by visiting our crowdfunder page and donating what you can afford. We have rewards on there for everyone from as a little as a £1. The Crowdfunder is now LIVE. Pre-order your sustainable yoga-mat today & join our Tribe!
www.natwestbackherbusiness.co.uk/zentribe
Thank you so much, namaste.
Photos: @amyhudsoncreative