With a practice as intentional as yoga, it only makes sense to utilize mindfully made tools. Enter 42 Birds, run by Cape Coral-based Victoria Fortnum Walker and her brother, Andrew Fortnum. The two produce mats, massage therapy balls and blocks made with sustainably sourced cork. The sturdy material provides a sweat-resistant, comfortable grip for bare hands and feet, making it easy to maneuver between positions. Recyclable, biodegradable cork is also a great alternative to the synthetic mats that eventually end up in landfills. “I knew I never really wanted to be a [yoga] instructor, but I wanted to be involved with that community and figure out how I could make a difference in other people’s lives,” Victoria says.
The 42 Birds moniker is an ode to the biodiversity found within the nearly 6.6 million acres of Mediterranean cork forest, where they source their material. The duo allocates 1 percent of profits to the Cork Forest Conservation Alliance and the National Audubon Society’s Marketplace. They’ve also partnered with World Central Kitchen for Hurricane Ian relief support. Shop the chic, zero-waste gear through 42 Birds’ website or on Amazon.