Grip - the search for a deeper practice
Welcome to the “Designer Studio", a behind-the-scenes look into the workings of agoy and what it takes to create the next-generation of yoga towels.
I’m Howard Napper, yoga teacher, creative director and founder of agoy, below is the original list of design features we set out to achieve related to grip. I’ve also written a short story about the evolution of a yoga mat and how trying to solve a common problem in yoga ended up becoming an obsession.
It might feel like the humble yoga mat has been around forever, but the concept only came about in the mid-1980’s when someone decided to use a section of carpet underlay for their practice. Before a yoga mat became a thing, yogis would simply use a piece of fabric or even just the bare floor.
I’m convinced that the comfort provided by this new fundamental piece of yoga equipment played a central role in the rise in yoga’s popularity throughout the 80’s and 90’s. But perhaps the most interesting and influential thing about the introduction of a yoga mat was that it provided grip.
The newfound grip of a mat suddenly gave yogis the ability to go deeper in their practices and as a result trends in yoga quickly started moving towards stronger and more dynamic styles.
However, as the yoga world became more physically challenging and studios became hotter these rubberised mats that provided grip when dry soon started to slip once moisture built up in the room or on your body.
In an attempt to solve the annoying problem of slipping when you needed grip the most, the early 2000’s saw the introduction of the first wave of yoga towels. These colourful microfiber towels were designed to be placed on top of a yoga mat as a way of absorbing moisture, the only problem was that they had little to no natural grip.
Now I agree normal people don’t and shouldn’t pay much attention to things like this, but as a yoga teacher, product designer, and perhaps more importantly someone who loves to do yoga, I have to admit a problem like this can easily become an obsession.
What if there was a way to produce something that could give you the moisture-absorbing benefits of a towel and at the same time provide you with the kind of traction you get from a mat?
I found myself stress testing fabrics, applying different grips, designing and re-designing patterns, all in the pursuit of trying to create the kind of base for yoga that would grip from the beginning to end – wet or dry.
At times it felt impossible - but have to say that what we ended up with is possibly the most exciting thing in yoga since the invention of the yoga mat. A range of next-generation yoga towels that we couldn’t resist naming after the grippiest animal around – the “Gecko”.
Dec 18, 2020 • Posted by Nadim Saad
I have been using the Gecko touch for almost two years now and find it incredibly useful as club mats can be so slippery. Ans it’s also very useful on my own yoga mat as the grip is better and the velvety feel is so nice and dries much better than a normal mat. Highly recommended!
Dec 17, 2020 • Posted by LE GALL Fabienne
Hi I have been practicing Pilates fir a while now, tried many different mats and I treasure my Agoy towel. Soft, flexible and resistant, it dries very fast when washed. I have been asked many times where it could be bought. I was glad to communicate the Agoy web site!! Colors are bright and nice. My husband would die for a towel like this for his training but with another set of colors (darker maybe?). Thumbs up!
Dec 15, 2020 • Posted by Hilary Totah
I like the fact I can use my gecko to cover my yoga mat, particularly when using a mat provided by the studio – more hygienic and easily washable. And I can use my ‘towel’ as a yoga at too. I didn’t much like the colours – too bright – the one I preferred (the blue) was sold out when I ordered.
Dec 14, 2020 • Posted by Anne-Mette Cheese
I was recommended the towel from a fellow yoga practitioner, and must admit what I was first drawn to was the colours. So bright and yet soothing. Now, however, I feel I can’t do yoga without. Super grip (especially for hot yoga), and albeit super thin, it gives the perfect extra thickness for stability when used on top of the mat.
Dec 14, 2020 • Posted by Jemma Kennedy
This is the first yoga mat I’ve ever owned and I’m a convert. It has fantastic grip, feels cool and soft, and I find the colour (green) very soothing. Now I’m having to do yoga in lockdown it’s ever more important to take joy in the smallest things and I look forward to using this for my yoga and pilates classes (Also love the fact that you can throw this in the wash and it dries super fast.)
Dec 14, 2020 • Posted by Leon
Well I’m practicing hot yoga now for several years and tried many towels. They all had the issue of having them presprayed with water before starting the practice (to generate grip) but even then I lacked grip on one side which is distracting. Now since I’m using the Gecko Touch, my mat and towel really feel as one, with maximum grip on both sides during the complete pratice, no matter if dry or soaking wet. => My best towel ever, so thumbs up, keep up the good work Agoy!!