If you have followed Big Raven Yoga for a while, you know that my process for creating new collections is rarely about just picking pretty pictures. It is deeply personal. It is about where my head is at, where the world is at, and what I believe we all need a little more of in our daily lives.
This summer, I wanted to lean into something that feels like a warm, familiar hug. I wanted to escape the noise, the endless digital scrolling, and the pressure to always be doing something productive. I wanted to return to the simple, transformative power of a story.
That is why I am so excited to introduce our new summer collection: 12 Books. 12 Mats. 1 Summer of Stories.
Starting Wednesday, July 1, you will be able to see the full collection, but I wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain today. When I sat down to design these, I did not think about trends or what is currently selling in the big box stores. I thought about the books that shaped me. I thought about the feeling of curling up on a rainy afternoon with a worn-out paperback, the smell of old paper, and the way a really good story can transport you to an entirely different universe before you even finish the first chapter.
Why Stories Matter on the Mat
You might be wondering what books have to do with yoga. To me, the connection is obvious. Both practices require the same thing: surrender. When you open a book, you surrender to the author’s vision. You allow yourself to be taken on a journey. When you step onto your mat, you surrender to your body. You allow yourself to move, to breathe, and to see where your practice takes you that day.
A yoga mat is a container. It is the physical space where you do the work of coming back to yourself. If that container is also a piece of art that tells a story, the practice becomes even more profound. It becomes a ritual of storytelling.
I have always been a firm believer that your environment changes your energy. In our blog post “How to Stay Consistent With Yoga: Your Environment Matters More Than Discipline”, I talked about how the space you carve out for your practice dictates your success. By bringing these literary-inspired designs into your home, you are not just buying a mat. You are curating a space that invites you to slow down, get quiet, and get lost in the magic of a good story.
Are you ready to find your next great read? Visit our Summer Collection page starting July 1 to explore the full lineup and claim the mat that speaks to your inner bookworm.
A Sneak Peek: The "Whispering Waters" Design
While the full collection is a secret until Wednesday, I have to share one of them with you. One of the mats I am most proud of is called "Whispering Waters." This mat is the heart of the "Summer of Stories" collection. When I look at it, I see a hidden grotto in a fantasy novel. It is a place where magic happens, where the water flows with intention, and where the outside world just falls away. It is lush, deep, and incredibly grounding. I designed this mat to let the gentle flow of those waters guide your practice into summer serenity. It invites you to move with ease and intention, whether your day calls for grounding strength or flowing grace. Like water finding its path, your practice adapts to meet you. There is no judgment here, and there is certainly no perfection required. Simply show up, breathe, and trust the rhythm of your body.
Start Your Summer Fantasy Reading Challenge Today
To celebrate this collection, I wanted to do something more than just release new designs. I wanted to give you a reason to actually make time for reading this summer. We all say we want to read more, but then the summer gets busy with travel, projects, and the general heat of the season.
That is why we have created our Summer Fantasy Reading Challenge.
This is a free, downloadable guide we put together to help you track your reading, suggest some incredible titles that pair beautifully with our new mats, and keep you accountable. It is not about finishing a book a week. It is about intentionality. It is about choosing to pick up a book instead of your phone when you have ten minutes to spare.
I really believe that if we can reclaim our attention from the screens, we can reclaim our peace of mind. You can head over to our website right now and find the download in the footer under "Freebies" called Fantasy Reading Challenge. I cannot wait to see what you are reading.
Why I Chose This Theme
People often ask me if running a small, independent yoga company is stressful. The answer is yes, absolutely. It is a constant balancing act. There are days when I feel like I am juggling too many things, and the list never ends.
But when I look back at the past year, and I see how much we have grown together, I am reminded of why I do this. It is for moments like this, where we can connect over something as simple as a story.
I chose the theme of "Summer of Stories" because I think we are all a little tired of the shallow, fast-paced world. We are craving depth. We are craving connection. We are looking for something that feels authentic and human. I wanted to create a collection that felt like a return to the things that make life beautiful: imagination, quiet reflection, and the wisdom we find in the pages of a great book.
How to Make This Summer Yours
Starting July 1, the entire collection will be live. But as you prepare, I want to encourage you to think about what kind of story you want to write for yourself this summer.
Are you looking for more rest? More adventure? More focus?
Whatever it is, you deserve a space that supports that intention. You deserve a mat that holds that energy for you. Whether you choose a mat from this new collection, or you already own one of our designs, remember that you are the author of your experience.
Take the mat to the park, read a few chapters in the shade, and then do your practice right there in the grass. That is what this summer is all about. It is about bridging the gap between the stories we read and the lives we live.
I am so incredibly grateful to have you on this journey with me. This little raven-hearted company wouldn't be anything without the community that gathers around it. You make every design, every launch, and every blog post worth it.
Join the Summer of Stories. Click here to head over to the shop on July 1 and be among the first to see the full collection. Don't forget to grab your copy of the Fantasy Reading Challenge in the website footer today!
I want to hear from you. What is the one book that changed your life? The one you find yourself recommending to everyone you meet? Send me an email or drop a comment below. I am always looking for recommendations, and I would love to hear what is currently on your nightstand.
Let’s make this the summer of deep reads, long flows, and stories that stay with us long after we finish the final page. Happy reading, and I will see you on the mat.