Our Story
Our journey embarked on a single thought sparked by the legendary Yoga Guru, Guruji BKS Iyengar. He unrolled a new world of yoga, where props were the unsung heroes. The purpose was to ensure every pose had a perfect alignment, delivering zen-like relaxation and weaving their magic for healing. That’s where we did a namaste to the incredible power of props in the world of yoga.
Smt. Ina Dani, our visionary founder, embarked on her journey with Iyengar Yoga under the guidance of Guruji Shri B.K.S Iyengar. Her initial motivation stemmed from the challenges posed by severe migraine issues, impacting her daily life. Upon discovering the transformative power of Iyengar Yoga, Smt. Ina Dani experienced a profound change as her migraines vanished. This pivotal moment sparked her dedication to Iyengar Yoga, leading her to become both a devoted practitioner and a passionate teacher. Today, she continues to share the gift of Iyengar Yoga, inspired by her own journey of healing and transformation. In 2017, our founders rooted Mefree with a vision to manufacture quality props for yoga practice as there was a void in this space then.
We were the pioneers of making props and educating about them. We placed our right foot forward with blocks and belts, and walked through our journey with many more.
As we read through Guruji’s books of detailed specifications of each product, from mat to chair, bolster, etc., to elevate the yoga practice and add support and balance to each asana, which took us on a global adventure in search of the finest materials and skilled artisans who could create the props we envisioned.
MeFree is beyond a brand, it’s a movement, and you’re invited!
Pack your curiosity and a sprinkle of zen as we journey through the yogiverse, where the ordinary turns extraordinary. Get ready to unroll the world of yoga because ‘MeFree’ means ‘Yoga for All.’ At Mefree, we understand the importance of having the right props to support and enhance your practice. Thus, our mission is to provide the highest quality yoga props that align with our values of sustainability, durability, and affordability. Welcome to a world where your practice gets the support it truly deserves!
Story of a Block
A tale of unrolling possibilities, One Block at a Time.
We began our search into the woods and we stumbled upon mango woods, unique in its kind but a bit inconsistent. We kept wandering for a perfect material and we found teak wood as a tantalising option, but it had a price tag that would make anyone gulp. After more research, we made a match with pinewood. Why? Well, it ticked all our boxes. Pinewood left no environmental footprint. We were over the moon to discover it in Latin America, New Zealand, and South Africa, available in various grades. It was like we found the perfect wood our yoga props were waiting for!
From Forest to Practice: Here’s how we craft yoga blocks with nature’s grace. Our first step in creation was to source pinewood from the forests of Latin America with the most exquisite grade waiting to be unearthed. Bringing them back to our crafting arena, our in-house carpenters, like seasoned magicians, brought their tools and skills to bear. With the utmost precision, they began the transformation. Pinewood, with its natural termite resistance and unwavering stability, was like clay in the hands of these artists. It gracefully bent to their will, allowing them to mold and craft it into yoga blocks with unparalleled ease.
Once the blocks took their intended form, it was time for the finishing touch. We chose a gentle, water-based solvent for polishing, intentionally avoiding harsh chemicals. Our dedication to keeping the blocks chemical-free meant they posed no threat to your skin, leaving you untouched by allergies and irritations. But we are relentless innovators, always pushing the boundaries of perfection. Thus, the idea of the cork block was born. Sourced from the sun-drenched plantations of Portugal, cork was selected as the eco-friendly, lightweight, and sturdy partner for our yoga blocks. Meticulously molded to form a closely-knit block, the fine texture of the cork particles ensured that it remained as solid as our commitment to quality.
Lastly, the story of our yoga blocks is one of global trips and dedication. From Latin American forests to the crafting tables of our in-house artisans, from the choice of natural pinewood to the eco-friendly embrace of cork, each block is a testament to our commitment to quality, health, and the environment.
Unrolling the Story of Mats
Back in time, PVC mats were available in India. They added a pop of color to our practice, but behind the scenes, they were not the eco-warriors we needed them to be. Thus, began our search for a greener, healthier alternative – mats that could gracefully return to the Earth while cradling our practice with care. We had two available at that time- TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) and Natural Rubber. The TPE mats were like elusive treasures hidden away in China and Taiwan, waiting to be discovered. This sparked a brilliant idea: why not bring these eco-friendly mats to India?
We decided to manufacture natural rubber mats in India with raw material sourced from rubber plantations in Kerala. After multiple trials, we came up with a 2mm travel mat made of natural rubber and with cotton mesh fabric intertwined. Many yoga teachers gave our mat a nod of approval, hailing it as the perfect companion. The grip was just right, and to top it off, the price tag was a pleasant surprise, especially when compared to the pricey imports from Taiwan. Our mission was clear from the start – to deliver a high-quality product made right here in India, and all at prices that wouldn’t break the bank.
Our next step was in research after being in discussions with Yoga Institutes and Centres, was natural cotton mats. Hence, we commenced manufacturing cotton mats. We sourced cotton from Aligarh- which is handwoven in different colours. Earlier cotton mats were slippery, but with certain modifications, we made one which was anti-slip by applying rubber gel on the lower surface to avoid slipping on the ground and giving a firmer grip on the ground.
We worked tirelessly to design and develop a range of yoga props that meet the unique needs of practitioners, from beginners to advanced yogis. Each yoga prop is designed with extensive inputs from masters and practitioners and undergoes rigorous testing and inspection to ensure it meets the highest standards of comfort, durability and usability. We believe that the quality of your yoga practice is greatly influenced by the quality of your props.
Ethos of Mefree
The ultimate goal of life… to reach the realms of the ‘Omnipresent Consciousness’
How do we achieve this?
The highest perfection of life is to develop one’s love for God. Yoga is for realizing Him. All fruitive activities are ultimately rewarded by Him only. He is supreme knowledge, and all severe austerities are performed to know Him. Religion [dharma] is rendering loving service unto Him. He is the supreme goal of life.”
‘Freedom from bothers that bogs one down’,’Free from ego’, ‘Freedom from me’
What does this imply?
Real happiness is on the spiritual platform. Transcending from material happiness… surrendering all your works unto Him, with mind intent on Him, and without desire for gain and free from egoism and lethargy and fight within yourself… that is the state of absolute freedom. Yoga opens the door to Freedom.
The MeFree logo comprises 7 colours… signifying the colours of the ‘Seven Chakras’
Where are these chakras?
The 7 chakras present in your body are actually energy centers and are known to regulate emotions. Each chakra is also associated with a color found on the rainbow. Chakra balancing is the process of reaching a place of balance between the spirit, body and health.