MANDUKA
Sometimes it’s the bumps in the road that end up defining our journey. This is the
story of Manduka, a company founded on the simple idea that a better yoga mat
could make a world of difference.
Over ten years ago, Peter Sterios, an architect turned yogi, discovered a simple,
elegantly designed black mat whose combination of firm grip and complete
support revolutionized his yoga practice. In honor of the yoga masters who
inspired him, he sought to share this amazing product with others.
Peter had always been the beneficiary of great generosity from other yoga
teachers. To repay that debt, he sent mats as gifts to many of the teachers he
admired including Erich Schiffmann, Rod Stryker, Angela Farmer, Victor Van
Kooten, Rodney Yee, and Shiva Rea. The teachers who inspired Peter were
his first customers. And in the great yoga tradition, they shared their mats with
their students, and a true yoga company was born. Peter chose the name
Manduka in homage to his teacher and mentor, Shandor Remete, whose core
practice and teaching always included the ancient Hatha Yoga Pradipika pose,
Mandukasana or frog. The first time Peter heard and repeated the name of the
pose he experienced a sense of childlike joy and delight as the sound rolled off
his tongue. The word and the pose were mirror images, simultaneously playful
and profound. The joy of Manduka is now spoken in more than 35 countries all
over the world.
The quality and performance of Manduka mats and yoga accessories are still
unmatched in the marketplace. They are still crafted using simple, enduring,
natural, and whenever possible, renewable materials and a fine attention to
detail. Manduka is a company built by and for yoga teachers and their students.
And as Manduka celebrates its 10th year, we are still evolving, still introducing
new products, and still celebrating the spirit and wisdom of yoga teachers and
their students. From the road less traveled, something great and meaningful has
arrived.
Manduka: for your practice and for our world. Namaste.
At Manduka we are committed to making the world a better place. We’re grateful
to be part of a community that’s committed to doing the same. Together we
celebrate the deep and profound bond yoga shares with the world. The idea of
respect for all living things is core to our company's philosophy, and sustainability
is our standard.
We are committed to eco-responsibility, and are mindful of every decision
we make in the manufacturing process. We support fair labor practices and
toxic-free emission facilities. Wherever possible, we use natural, recyclable,
sustainable and/or biodegradable materials, and constantly search for new green
technologies.
Each detail is a conscious decision. We’ve constructed bags from recycled
polyester fabrics and zippers made from recycled plastic bottles. Our eKO line
of yoga mats is produced using biodegradable rubber sustainably harvested
from rubber trees with no toxic glues. Designed to last a lifetime, the PRO Series
mats minimize impact on the environment and ensure years of superior practice
for our community. Our prop collection was developed using materials including
sustainable cork, natural unbleached cotton, and recycled wool fibers.
With growth, we pledge to protect and honor our earth and its beings. Let’s
continue to walk the walk together. You help us and we’ll help you. And we’d
love to hear your thoughts and ideas at any time. Better choices mean a better
tomorrow for all of us.
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