What are the key considerations and processes involved in developing a new yoga mat or accessory at Jade Yoga?
First, we determine if there is a need for the product. Is there a problem to be solved. Then we find the best possible solution and make the best quality product possible in as eco-friendly way as possible. Finally, we find an appropriate partner to give back to the earth with each product sold – such as plant a tree with each mat sold or preserving rain forest with each cork yoga block sold.
How does customer feedback influence product improvements and new product development at Jade Yoga?
We actually started making yoga mat because a customer called and said there was a need for yoga mats that do not slip. Since then we have been very tuned in to customer feedback. For example, when our customers asked for a thinner, lighter, more portable mat we created the extra thin Voyager mat which is now one of our best sellers. And when bigger customers told us they were not getting enough cushion from our regular mats, we developed the extra wide, extra-long Fusion mat.
How do current trends in the yoga industry influence Jade Yoga’s product offerings?
As more people are practicing hot yoga we have developed and will be releasing later this year, two mats and a new towel designed specifically for hot yoga. In addition, as more people are practicing yoga at home, we have focused more on direct to consumer sales.
Besides using natural rubber, what other eco-friendly practices does Jade Yoga incorporate in its operations?
In addition to using natural rubber, our two biggest eco-friendly practices are our give back partnerships (through which we have planted over 2.5 Million trees, preserved over 3,500 acres of rainforest, offset over 600,000 pounds of CO2, donated to support anti-poaching efforts and prevented over 1,500 pounds of plastic from entering the ocean), we also eliminated plastic from our packaging – unlike other mats, our mats are not shipped in shrink wrap.
