Simply Yoga: a Social Enterprise!

As far as we know, social enterprise is the only way to align business with yoga, in yogic parlance this is called "Right Livelihood".

Whilst not every outlet can work under such a greater-than-profit business model, it is clear that many could do a lot more to help protect our environment and support the ethics of sustainability, "ahimsa".

Simply Yoga is and

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Simply Yoga gets ‘ethical’ business award

Simply Yoga (a trading subsidiary of Yoga cic has been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark, which identifies us as trading for social and environmental purposes.

The Social Enterprise Mark is the brand for social enterprises and was launched 1st February, 2010. The Mark identifies businesses which meet defined criteria for social enterprise, and consumers will recognise that businesses displaying the Mark are trading to benefit people and planet.

Simply Yoga joins other ethical businesses that have been recognised by being awarded the Mark such as Age UK, Eden Project, Big Issue, the Phone Coop and the Co-operative Group South & West.

UK Government data estimates that there are 62,000 social enterprises across the UK, contributing £24 billion to the economy and employing around 800,000 people.

Social enterprises are working to make a difference across the UK and beyond, but not enough people know what they are or how they work. The Social Enterprise Mark aims to raise awareness of what social enterprises do in order to get more people to buy from, engage with, start up and work for social enterprises.

Find out more about Simply Yoga

Mat Witts, co-founder and director with wife, Sati Witts said:-

“We’re really proud to have been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. Ever since we started trading online over ten years ago, (way back in 2001) we absolutely wanted to make a commitment to supporting sustainable trade and help local communities to thrive and prosper”.

Lucy Findlay, Managing Director, Social Enterprise Mark Company, advised:-

“As the distinctive and exciting brand for social enterprise, the Mark identifies businesses which meet defined criteria, enabling consumers to recognise those that are trading to benefit people and planet. It also helps those businesses promote their business ethics and values. We hope that the Social Enterprise Mark will do for social enterprise what the Fairtrade Mark did for fair trade.”

Notes

1. The Social Enterprise Mark is supported by the Office of the Third Sector, the National Lottery through the BIG Lottery Fund and Capacity Builders.
2. The most widely adopted definition of social enterprise, used by organisations such as the Social Enterprise Coalition and RISE, is from the Government's Department for Trade and Industry: "Social enterprises are businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners." Social Enterprise: a strategy for success, 2001
3. The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK’s national body for social enterprise.  As the voice for the sector, the Coalition provides a platform for showcasing the benefits of social enterprise while supporting and representing the work of its varied members, influencing national policy and promoting best practice. www.socialenterprise.org.uk