Happy New Year!

Greetings WovnBranchers, and Happy New Year!

A lot has happened since we last spoke – The Raptors captured first place, an ice storm cracked our trees, the leafs went on a six game winning streak, our power went out, our mayor got on the wagon, our power was restored, our mayor fell off the wagon, TFC signed Jermaine Defoe, a polar vortex swooped in from the arctic, and our mayor fell off the wagon.

The world of WovnBranch has been no less exhilarating albeit slightly less controversial. In the past few months, we have developed several exciting new partnerships with studios and stores within the community. We are proud to include the King West Club, The Ritz Carlton, The Athletic Club, The Detox Market,  and Toronto Yoga Mamma's to our growing list of retail partners. While our network continues to grow, so to does our ability to contribute to the eradication of Malaria. In November of last year, because of the continued support of our incredible community, we were able to donate 100 anti malaria nets to our partners at Nothing But Nets Foundation!

This 2014, we wish you all of things we wish for ourselves: renewed focus, restored clarity, revitalized spirit, reinvigorated passion, and the joy that comes from accomplishing the goals we set out to achieve.

Namaste,

Team WB

WovnBranch in the Media!

Well, it’s been three weeks since we introduced ourselves to the world, and what an incredible three weeks it’s been! On the 13^th of June, WovnBranch hosted a launch party for some media folk at the King West Club. In true WovnBranch style, ours was no typical launch party. No wine and cheese to be found, but there was plenty of coconut water for those that attended, and of course, a yoga class! Talented yoga instructor and friend of WovnBranch Lisa Kitteringham offered the members of the media a complimentary Ashtanga class, after which the founders and media personnel mingled casually and discussed our new product and corresponding social mission. Since the launch, WovnBranch has been featured in both NOW Magazine and She Does the City! Be sure to check us out in both publications!

That’s all for now, stay tuned for some very exciting news coming in the next few days…

WB

Hello World

Hello there world, we’re WovnBranch,  a yoga company first and foremost that has created a mat we believe is pretty awesome. We’re also a company with a social mission. Like Tom’s Shoes, Warby Parker, and several other notable social enterprises that came before us, we believe very deeply in the principle of giving. More on that in a little while, but first, let us tell you about our mat and why it kicks serious ashram.

Our yoga mats are intentionally designed to help you perform better. Made from TPE material and designed using a woven rippled pattern, we've done everything possible to ensure your hands and feet stay planted firmly on the surface of the mat. In addition to being non-slippery, the material we use is 100% recyclable. It doesn't emit any strange unnatural odours even after repeated use, and that is because of the absence of nefarious chemicals like polyurethanes in our material. Our mats are also lightweight – we feel you should be getting your workout in the class, not on the way. But it’s more than the material that sets our mat apart – it is also our unique design.

                                             

You’ll notice a few distinct features when using the mat for the first time. Our mats have curved corners that lead upwards toward a singular point at each end. The purpose of the point is to help you align yourself on the mat and get into various positions with ease. Another distinct feature is that the edges are tapered inwards through the center of the mat. These tapered edges will help you track your progress so that you can see tangible results after each class. It’s light, functional, non-slippery, and it’s sleek and innovative design sets it apart aesthetically.

Malaria. Not a word very often heard in association with yoga. Though seemingly disconnected, through WovnBranch, Malaria and yoga have become inextricably linked (in a good way). Inspired by companies like Toms Shoes and Warby Parker, we are a one-for-one business - but we’re not giving away a yoga mat for every one we sell (although do we believe that everyone across the globe could potentially benefit from the restorative, rejuvenating practice of yoga). 

Some figures:

* Malaria kills 660 000 people each year and impacts millions more.

* 90% of those killed by malaria are children under the age of 5

* Long Lasting Insecticide nets (LLIN’s) can reduce malaria transmission by up to 90% in heavily affected regions.

Because Malaria is still a global pestilence that kills more than half a million each year, and because a simple act of prevention – the donation of an LLIN – is enough to substantially reduce transmission of this deadly disease, we have chosen Malaria as our cause, and the LLIN as our one-for-one. Through our partnership with Nothing But Nets, a UN Foundation organization, for every yoga mat sold, we will donate an LLIN to help prevent the spread of Malaria. That is our promise.

So that’s WovnBranch. A yoga company with a purpose that is twofold; to create a mat that combines functional superiority with innovative design while assigning an act of giving to every purchase. Namaste.