In a world where big brands dominate every corner of the marketplace, it can be easy to overlook the small voices, the independent artists, designers, and makers who pour their hearts into every creation. At Big Raven Yoga, we believe that supporting independent artists is not just a nice gesture; it is a conscious choice that strengthens communities, nurtures creativity, and brings more meaning to your practice.
When you choose a yoga mat, a piece of art, or a handmade product from an independent creator, you are voting with your wallet. You are sending a message that craftsmanship, authenticity, and human connection matter more than mass production. Big brands already have enough money. Independent artists do not. Here is why your decision to support small creators matters, and how it impacts your practice, your community, and the world.
Independent Artists Fuel Creativity and Innovation
Rainier Flower by Emily LaVelle
Independent artists often take risks that larger corporations cannot. They experiment with new materials, designs, and ideas because they are not beholden to quarterly profit reports or shareholder expectations. When you support these artists, you encourage a culture of innovation.
For example, in yoga mat design, independent artists often explore unique textures, vibrant color palettes, and thoughtful symbolism that bring inspiration directly to your practice. Big brands tend to stick with what sells, neutral colors, standard textures, and generic patterns. There is nothing wrong with safe choices, but they rarely ignite the same creative spark as original, handcrafted art.
When your yoga mat reflects your individuality, it can transform your practice. The colors, patterns, and textures become more than just design, they become a part of your daily ritual, a visual reminder of your intentions, and a source of motivation every time you unroll your mat. Supporting independent artists is, in a very real sense, supporting the evolution of your own practice.
Explore our collection of artist-designed yoga mats and find one that speaks to your creativity and intention. Each purchase directly supports independent artists.
Every Purchase Makes a Tangible Difference
Big brands have deep pockets. They have marketing departments, global distribution networks, and massive financial reserves. Your purchase, while appreciated, is unlikely to change their trajectory. Independent artists, on the other hand, operate on a much smaller scale. Every sale matters. Every purchase can help pay studio rent, buy materials, or even keep a dream alive.
Consider this: buying a yoga mat from a small studio supporting a single artist is more than just a transaction. It is a direct investment in creativity, community, and craft. You are helping someone continue to pursue their passion while also enriching your own life with a unique product that carries a story. That story matters, and it is often what makes independent products so much more meaningful.
Not sure how a yoga mat can carry more meaning than its material? Check out our “Is a Pretty Yoga Mat Worth It?” blog to see how choosing the right mat can transform your practice.
Building Community Through Support
Supporting independent artists does more than help individual creators, it builds communities. Independent artists often collaborate, share knowledge, and mentor new creators. They are deeply embedded in local and global communities, participating in events, teaching workshops, and creating spaces for connection.
When you support these artists, you are indirectly supporting a network of creators who lift each other up. You are fostering an ecosystem where creativity can flourish, where ideas can cross-pollinate, and where culture is enriched rather than homogenized. In contrast, the profits of big brands rarely trickle down to support local communities in meaningful ways.
By choosing to support independent artists, you also signal a shift in consumer values. You are saying that craftsmanship, sustainability, and human connection matter more than convenience and mass production. This collective choice can influence the market, encouraging more companies to prioritize ethics, quality, and originality.
Unique Products That Reflect Your Values
One of the most powerful reasons to support independent artists is the uniqueness of the products they create. Each piece is a reflection of the artist’s vision, skill, and passion. No two pieces are exactly the same. This uniqueness adds depth and meaning to the items you own, whether it is a yoga mat, a piece of jewelry, or a work of art.
When you buy from a big brand, you are often purchasing something produced in massive quantities, designed to appeal to the widest possible audience. These products lack the intimacy and individuality that comes from handmade or artist-driven items. They are designed to sell, not to inspire.
With independent artists, your purchase carries intention. It reflects your values. It shows that you care about supporting someone’s craft, paying a fair price for their work, and bringing beauty and authenticity into your life. For yoga lovers, this alignment is essential. Yoga is about intentional living, mindfulness, and respect for self and others. Your purchases can extend those principles beyond your mat and into your daily life.
Choose a mat that tells a story. Every artist-designed product at Big Raven Yoga supports independent creators and enhances your practice.
Sustainability and Ethical Practices
Independent artists often prioritize sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmentally responsible practices. They are more likely to use eco-friendly materials, avoid mass production waste, and implement fair labor practices. When you support these creators, you contribute to a more sustainable and ethical economy.
Big brands, while they may offer some sustainable options, are constrained by scale. Producing millions of units requires efficiency and often compromises sustainability. Independent artists, by contrast, have the freedom to experiment with renewable materials, low-waste methods, and conscious production. Your support enables them to continue making choices that prioritize the planet and people over profit margins.
Inspiration That Transcends Commerce
Mountain Moss by Rosalie Haizlett
There is something deeply inspiring about owning a product created by an independent artist. It reminds you that the world is full of people who are brave enough to follow their passion. Their stories often resonate with our own aspirations. They show us that creativity, courage, and dedication are worth pursuing.
In yoga, inspiration is a core principle. You are encouraged to explore, to move beyond comfort zones, and to express yourself authentically. Independent artists embody those same principles in their work. Supporting them becomes a form of mindful practice, a way to honor creativity in yourself and in others.
Making Big Brands Accountable
When consumers continue to support big brands indiscriminately, those companies have little incentive to change. Big brands already dominate markets and already have enough money. Independent artists, by contrast, need our support to thrive. By consciously choosing to buy from small creators, you help level the playing field and encourage larger companies to be more responsible, transparent, and innovative.
Your choices as a consumer matter. They influence trends, market dynamics, and the values that are rewarded in the economy. Choosing independent artists over mass-produced products is a statement: you value originality, quality, and human connection.
How Big Raven Yoga Supports Independent Artists
At Big Raven Yoga, we put our values into practice by collaborating with independent artists who share our vision for creativity, mindfulness, and intentional living. Our mats feature original designs created by artists who pour their passion, experience, and lived wisdom into every detail. When you purchase a mat from Big Raven Yoga, you are supporting these artists directly. You are helping them continue their creative work while bringing art and intention into your daily yoga practice.
Two of the artists we are especially honored to collaborate with are Elena Brower and Denise Griffin.
Elena Brower is a globally respected yoga teacher, author, and artist whose work is deeply rooted in mindfulness, self inquiry, and spiritual exploration. Her designs reflect clarity, presence, and depth, offering yoga lovers a visual and energetic reminder to return to breath, awareness, and purpose each time they step onto the mat. Elena’s art is not decorative for the sake of trend; it is intentional, meaningful, and grounded in decades of practice and teaching.
Denise Griffin brings a bold, expressive artistic voice that blends movement, nature, and emotion. Her work speaks to yoga lovers who value creativity as a form of self expression and healing. Denise’s designs feel alive, layered, and intuitive, inviting you to move, feel, and explore your practice with curiosity and freedom. Each piece carries her unique perspective and lived experience as an independent artist.
Watercolor Dance by Denise Griffin
These collaborations are not about licensing a name or following trends. They are about honoring the artist’s voice, story, and creative integrity.
Meet the Artists: You can learn more about Elena Brower and Denise Griffin, explore their stories, and see the inspiration behind their designs by visiting their artist pages on Big Raven Yoga. We also collaborate with a wider community of guest artists who share our commitment to creativity, mindfulness, and independent work, and you can explore them all through our artist collection.
Transform Your Practice, Enrich Your World
Big brands already have enough money. They do not need your support to continue growing. Independent artists, however, rely on people like you to sustain their work, their creativity, and their vision. Choosing to support independent creators is a conscious, intentional act that extends the principles of yoga beyond your mat into your daily life.
By investing in independent artists, you are investing in creativity, community, sustainability, and inspiration. You are nurturing an ecosystem where authenticity thrives, where individuality is celebrated, and where human connection is valued over mass production.
At Big Raven Yoga, we are proud to collaborate with independent artists whose work transforms ordinary products into meaningful tools for practice. When you choose independent art, you are making a statement: that intention, craft, and community matter more than corporate profit. That choice is powerful, and it ripples far beyond the studio.
Take Action Today: Browse our curated collection of artist-designed yoga mats and accessories and bring intention and creativity into your practice. Not sure where to start? Check out our “Is a Pretty Yoga Mat Worth It?” blog to see how choosing the right mat can elevate both your practice and your connection to the artist’s vision. You can also meet the artists whose creativity inspires each design. Every purchase supports independent artists directly and enriches your yoga experience.