Playing with the mind. Jagoda Schäpper, co-founder of JOYINME, spoke about the creative process, finding a path to inner silence, and her own practice.

Where can exploring the depths of your own mind lead? In the case of JOYINME, it's a new, positive, and fun collection of yoga mats called Mind Games. Jagoda Schäpper, co-founder of the JOYINME brand, spoke with us about the creative process, finding the path to inner silence, and her own practice.

https://www.instagram.com/jagoda_joyinme

For those familiar with the Joy in Me brand, our yoga mats evoke beautiful graphics inspired by nature—the rhythm of waves, the arrangement of stars and leaves, and flower petals. The new collection surprises with both pattern and color. The mats are adorned with hand-drawn illustrations in strong, contrasting colors. Where did this idea come from?

Jagoda Schäpper: On the one hand, it's a search for joy and positivity through organic, hand-drawn shapes and bold colors. On the other hand, it's a somewhat tongue-in-cheek depiction of my state of mind before entering meditation.

How did you work on the illustrations?

JS: I made them by hand. I wanted them to be more than just a perfect vector drawing, but to capture the gesture of the hand. I think these illustrations are more interesting, unique, and have a deeper emotional impact. The shapes of the animals and plants are joyful, full of life, movement, and freedom.

I wanted them to evoke optimism and put you in a cheerful mood.

What does the Mind Games pattern mean to you?

JS: It's an invitation to celebrate yourself, your individuality, showing the mat as a space for play, for awakening your own creativity. This mind game is about constant exploration, pushing yourself beyond your own boundaries and the familiar, opening yourself to new possibilities instead of clinging to tried-and-true or formulaic solutions. For me, this exploration is about finding the right form of meditation.

Will you tell me more about it?

JS: I'm someone who doesn't find the traditional form of meditation—sitting silently and motionless—appealing. While searching for alternative practices, I came across moving meditations and kirtan. Kirtan is great because it allows for complete immersion in the music and singing. It's very soothing and helps detach from one's own thoughts. If maintaining attention during silent meditation is a challenge for someone, kirtan might be another option, as it doesn't require as much concentration. The practice is based on the rhythmic repetition of words, sentences, or syllables. Traditional mantras draw on Hinduism and are chanted in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. The recitation is often accompanied by music, which emphasizes the rhythm, facilitating a deeper meditation. Kirtan engages one's full attention, drawing one away from thoughts.

What is moving meditation?

JS: It's a form of practice that uses movement to support concentration, sometimes with the addition of breathing techniques. The key is paying attention to specific movements; this could be walking or yoga. This type of meditation has a lot in common with mindfulness practice. I think the key is finding a technique that resonates with us. It stimulates continuous growth while providing joy and a sense of freedom.

And here we come back to the new mat pattern and your search that we talked about.

JS: Yes, many people who try meditation quickly become discouraged because they can't turn off their minds or sit in one position for long periods of time. They quickly decide it's not for them before they truly experience the benefits. I want them to be able to look at meditation from a different perspective.