Where can exploring the corners of one's own mind lead? In the case of JOYINME, to a new, positive, and fun collection of yoga mats: Mind Games. Jagoda Schäpper, co-founder of the JOYINME brand, talked to us about the creative process, the search for a path to inner silence, and her own practice.
https://www.instagram.com/jagoda_joyinme
For those who know the Joy in me brand, our yoga mats are associated with beautiful graphics inspired by nature—the rhythm of waves, the arrangement of stars and leaves, flower petals. The new collection surprises with both its pattern and color. The mats are adorned with hand-drawn illustrations in bold, contrasting colors. Where did this idea come from?
Jagoda Schäpper: On one hand, it’s a search for joy and positivity through organic, hand-drawn shapes and bold color schemes. On the other, it’s a depiction, slightly tongue-in-cheek, of my state of mind before entering meditation.
How did you work on the illustrations?
J.S.: I drew them by hand. It was important to me that they weren't perfect vector drawings, but that they captured the gesture of the hand. I think such illustrations are more interesting; they are distinguished by their uniqueness and affect emotions more fully. The animal and plant shapes are joyful, full of life, movement, and freedom.
I wanted them to evoke optimism and put people in a cheerful mood.
What does the Mind Games pattern mean to you?
J.S.: It is an invitation to celebrate yourself, your individuality, and to see the mat as a space for play and awakening your own creativity. This game of the mind is about constant exploration, crossing your own barriers and the known, and opening up to new possibilities instead of being attached to proven or standard solutions. As far as I am concerned, this exploration is about finding the right form of meditation.
Could you tell us more about that?
J.S.: I am a person for whom the traditional form of meditation—sitting in silence and stillness—does not resonate. In search of alternative practices, I came across meditation in motion, as well as kirtan. Kirtan is great because it allows you to completely immerse yourself in music and singing. It’s very soothing and helps you detach from your own thoughts. If maintaining focus during silent meditation is a challenge for someone, kirtan might be another path because it doesn't require such intense concentration. The practice is based on the rhythmic repetition of words, sentences, or syllables. Traditional mantras refer to Hinduism and are sung in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India. Recitation is often accompanied by music that emphasizes the rhythm, which facilitates a deeper entry into meditation. Kirtan engages your entire attention, drawing you away from your thoughts.
And what is meditation in motion?
J.S.: It is a form of practice that uses movement to support concentration, sometimes with the addition of breathing techniques. The key is focus on specific movements; it could be walking or yoga. This type of meditation has much in common with mindfulness practice. I think what matters is finding a technique that speaks to you. It stimulates continuous growth while providing joy and a sense of freedom.
And here we return to the new mat design and your search that we were talking about.
J.S.: Yes, many people trying meditation get discouraged quickly because they can't turn off their thinking or sit in one position for long. They quickly decide it's not for them before they properly feel the benefits of meditation. I want them to be able to look at meditation from a different perspective.
