Our Herstory

Meaning: A woman strong like an elephant 

Like an elephant, women are powerful! Our slip resistant eco-friendly quality mats support the sweatiest of workouts and empower women to move powerfully and unapologetically. Our natural rubber and vegan suede mats provide a luxurious feel with superior grip.  They are ideal for yoga and home fitness.

Our MudMat Collection ® is inspired by Malian mud cloth (Bògòlanfini) of West Africa. Traditional mud cloth is a cotton textile processed and dyed from iron rich mud. The motifs and colors capture their unique traditions and communicate significant events.  Jayei Athletics LLC honors the cloth’s cultural significance while offering a modern twist.    

We designed a mat that expresses what the fitness industry has been lacking—representation. Women of color are disproportionately represented in the fitness community. At Jayei Athletics LLC, we see you! Instead of asking for a seat at the table, we made our own.   

Jayei Athletics LLC is a Black woman owned company. We aim to pay homage to African heritage, honor the strength in women, and promote conscience giving.

 

The Creator

Hi! I'm Karyn (not like the other Karens' :) ). I'm a fitness enthusiast and a 200 RYT who enjoys traveling and the outdoors. My degrees are in Business Marketing and African American Studies. 

During Covid-19, when studios and gyms were closed, I wanted to invest in a quality mat for my home workouts. I wanted a mat that represented me and my culture. The search was unsuccessful, which inspired me to create Jayei Athletics. The search opened my eyes to the lack of representation in not only yoga, but the fitness industry as a whole.

After visiting the Masuwe Primary School in Zimbabwe in 2019, I was inspired by the students and instructors and vowed to give back. Jayei Athletics combines my love for fitness, uplifting women of color, and conscious giving.