What a woman: Women ran brands and companies

On March 8, 2021, we celebrate International Women's Day and here at Yogamatters we are fortunate to be surrounded by talented and inspiring women through our brands and our community of yoga teachers and entrepreneurs. We wanted to highlight some of the incredible women in our community and shine a light on everything they do. Read on to discover some fabulous women and women-owned businesses.

Community & Entrepreneurs

Dianne Bondy

Dianne, the founder of Dianne Bondy Yoga, offers yoga classes for everyone, allowing everyone to practice - regardless of shape, size, ethnicity or ability. As well as a series of yoga teacher training courses focused on inclusivity. Dianne advocates for more diversity in yoga and led the Yoga For All movement. Additionally, she is the author of not one but two books, Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body and Yoga Wherever You Are

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(Link removed)OYA offers retreats, sister circles, classes, and a range of holistic movement and mindfulness experiences for Black women and women of color. Founded by Stacie CC Graham, a yoga teacher herself as well as a life coach, business consultant, speaker and author - you name it, she's done it! Stacie empowers those who participate in her immersions to reflect, release and renew.

Donna Noble

Donna is a pioneer of body positivity and anti-racism, creating connections everywhere. She is an experienced yoga teacher who runs courses and workshops, and she is also active in the field of thought leadership: guest speaking on podcasts and conversations on Clubhouse. She continues to bring the broader meditation and yoga community together through her work.
Follow her: @donnanobleyoga

Nikita Akilapa

Mother, doula and yoga teacher – how does she do it? Whether she's caring for her little ones, guiding her clients in hypnobirthing, or getting her yoga students into a juicy savasana, Nikita offers mindful prenatal care that goes above and beyond. She keeps mothers informed and equipped so they are prepared for birth. When the time comes, she advocates, protects and ensures that things stay on track - all according to her needs and preferences: easing the transition to parenthood.

Aisha Nash

A former pastry chef, wellness entrepreneur and yoga teacher, Aisha brings her bubbly and totally relatable personality to the mat every time. Her anti-diet yoga approach teaches everyone to practice yoga that is traumatized, body neutral, and embodied. Aisha uses language that emphasizes how poses feel. She combines yoga philosophy with physical practice and offers everyone the space to just be.

Radical Dharshan

(Link removed)Four truth seekers have come together to create a collective yoga teacher training course to help you evolve your practice: The training combines social justice and collective care with the goal of taking bold steps on the sacred path of decolonized yoga. Kallie, Stacie, Jonelle & Leila have teamed up to offer a 300-hour course that does just that.

Yogaru

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Illustrator and certified yoga teacher Ruth Delahunty has designed easy-to-follow sequencing cards to make your practice more accessible at home, while traveling, or setting up a class.

Sitaram

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Founder Uma Dinsmore-Tuli helps women connect with their femininity and femininity through helpful pregnancy and postnatal yoga: connecting body and mind.

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Forage Botanicals was founded by Natasha Richardson after suffering from severe pain for years and realizing she couldn't get help from medical professionals. Natasha is a medical herbalist and mother. Forage Botanicals offers a collection of natural products such as soothing balms, bath salts and even a raw drinking chocolate with nettle and cocoa to support the body during and after a difficult time. All Forage Botanicals products provide guidance on how to best incorporate relaxation into a monthly menstrual routine.

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Founded by Sophia Harding, Palm of Feronia is a London-based small batch self-care brand dedicated to producing organic skincare influenced by the ancient principles of aromatherapy and crystal healing.

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Rooted in the idea that wellness can be DIY: Jennie Pinkhart decided that she could create balance and well-being by offering calming things—roll-on oils, bath salts, and all the other things that keep you zen even for a moment. She created Eve & Keel and the rest was history.

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Ridding the world of plastic bottles - it's a bold and important goal, and in 2010 Sarah Kauss decided to give it a try: she started S'well at a time when sustainable products were not stylish and stylish products were not sustainable and created eco-friendly insulated water bottles and eco-friendly containers that brilliantly combine form and function.

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Sun, surf and sea: Spritz founder Laura Colucci created her holistic fragrance brand that captures all the feelings you get when mixing yoga, nature and the beautiful tranquility of the sea.

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It all started in 2010 when founder Charlie Fowler began a quest for a healthy life after the birth of her daughter, who suffered severely from eczema. When she researched the petrochemical-filled balms prescribed, she decided to go the natural route and developed an effective organic yarrow herbal balm to relieve itching and discomfort. And just like that, Green Balm was born.

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Periods are natural. Why shouldn't we as a society be more open and honest about menstrual health? That's the question mother-daughter founders Lucy and Claire Lettice asked themselves when they created their brand: Their answer was & Sisters: They create conscious products that include women's bodies, are environmentally friendly and can really help fight poverty.

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Eco-friendly luxury stationery to help you bring more self-care into your life. Founded in 2018 by Kelsey Layne, she aims to combine wellness and productivity through her motivating and beautifully designed cards, journals and planners. Kelsey is also the brand's designer, consciously selecting sustainable materials from the UK to complement her earth-inspired illustrations.

SevenSeventeen

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Mood-enhancing candles and diffusers made by founders and friends Naomi and Sarah on the Sussex coast to add a moment of calm to your daily life. In addition to offering a range of vegan, hand-poured candles in a variety of lush scents, SevenSeventeen also offers a range of feel-good items for your home and beyond, including long-lasting diffusers and nourishing hand lotions for busy hands.

Beefayre

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Relax with Beeyfayre's luxurious collection of candles, hand creams and moisturizers. Handcrafted in England using high quality, natural ingredients. The company's 'Beethos' is focused on sustainability from top to bottom and founder Sharon Jervis is committed to keeping the business and packaging as minimal as possible in Leicestershire.

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Symbolic creatures, keepsake charms and magical talismans: each piece sourced from India exudes a magnificent golden aura, while silver charms radiate a cleansing and pure white light. Founder Jenny Dyson gives her brand a cosmic purpose and a beautiful maker's intuition - the brand was created with Kundalini teacher Maree Gecks at a yoga retreat. How's that for the entrepreneurial spirit?!

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Handcrafted and mindfully made with love and sourced from Bali, Indonesia; Mala Collective's meditation bead bracelets and 108-bead necklaces provide a tactile and beautiful decorative focus for your mantras. Co-founder Ashley Wray's entrepreneurial dream became a reality for mala, crystal kits and meditation cushions after she launched her company in 2011.

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Creators of the original Mindfulness Journal: Ali and Finn founded their brand after both feeling mentally unwell. They decided to take mental health into their own hands - literally. Her thoughtful stationery inspires with positive affirmations, daily reflections, and mindful thought therapies.

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Honest, affordable and effortlessly cool, this Amsterdam yoga and activewear brand prides itself on quality. Founder Marlene Smits has been a passionate yogi for over 20 years and teaches regularly at Delight Yoga in Amsterdam and online at Ekhartyoga.com

Asquith

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With intuition and intention, Asquith serves and unites the yoga community through his sustainable, organic yoga clothing and activewear. Alice Asquith founded her company in 2002, combining her love of elegant fabrics and design with yoga and Pilates.

TieBandz

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Being practical doesn't have to be boring: These mindful hair ties are snag-free and gentle, and come in every color you need to keep stray curls at bay. Charlotte & Karen founded Tiebandz in London. Like most of us, you were looking for the perfect hair tie for all hair types. So they took matters into their own hands and created their own.

OHMat

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Intricate mandalas and breathtakingly beautiful nature-inspired illustrations: OHMat yoga mats are a design lover's dream. They are made from 100% raw materials and embody an artistic yoga journey. Portugal-based Dutch founder Debbie Jongejan brings purposefully printed products to enrich your yoga lifestyle.

Calhoun

Specializing in all things cozy, Calhoun & Co's illustrative blankets and homewares are designed and inspired by meaningful intentions. Brooklyn-based founder Kerry Stokes believes your space should reflect your personality and have the personality you desire.