This yoga mat is an eco-conscious tribute to Deepor Beel in Assam

The sturdy and slip-proof yoga mat named after the purple moorhen was created by six young women from Assam. Made from water hyacinths, it is naturally dyed, completely handwoven and biodegradable

Six women, belonging to the fishing community from Deepor Beel (a permanent freshwater lake in Guwahati, Assam), have worked together to create biodegradable and compostable yoga mats that reflect their community’s beliefs in biodiversity, conservation and cultural continuity. After working on it for a year, the mat made of natural materials — mostly water hyacinths — is ready to be launched. As a tribute to the place they come from, the mat is named after the Purple Moorhen (Kaam Sorai in Assamese), a migratory bird that is unique to the beel (lake). The design and process of dyeing and weaving are allenvironment-friendly. This also includes making the mat sturdy, smooth, soft and most importantly, slip-proof.