Gaiam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gaiam is a "[lifestyle company]" that creates media content, information, experiences and products that appeal to consumers interested in any aspect of living more healthfully and lightly on the planet. It is one of the most comprehensive and trusted sources in the industry, offering a wide range of choices that are better for people and the environment.
The company coined the term Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS), encompassing everything from renewable energy solutions to yoga, inspirational films to eco-travel, and organic foods to eco-friendly apparel and furnishings. As described on the company website, "Gaiam is a provider of information, goods and services to customers who value the environment, a sustainable economy, healthy lifestyles, alternative healthcare and personal development."
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[edit] Beyond Yoga
Gaiam is probably best known for fitness media, such as their award-winning yoga DVDs taught by well-known instructors like Rodney Yee. However, in 2006 Gaiam acquired Real Goods, a California-based company specializing in the production and distribution of solar power products, environmentally-friendly building supplies and gadgets.
[edit] Why would a yoga company sell solar panels?
According to a quote published by one of Gaiam's employees, Bill Giebler, yoga is a tool to better appreciate the connections of body, mind, spirit - and earth. We, through practice, "recognize our interconnectedness with all that is around us." Most of us have no trouble recognizing oneness with our own bodies (and therefore would never cut off our limbs to feed our body)." It is the lack of this recognition of oneness between self and the Earth "...that allows us to exploit our environment for short-term gain." This is where yoga informs environmentalism.
[edit] The Name
Gaiam (pronounced "guy-um"), is a fusion of the words "Gaia" and "I am". Gaia, mother Earth, was honored on the Isle of Crete in ancient Greece 5,000 years ago by the Minoan civilization. This civilization valued education, art, science, recreation, and the environment and believed that the Earth was directly connected to its existence and daily life. The concept of Gaia stems from the ancient philosophy that the Earth is a living entity.
[edit] History of Gaiam
Gaiam was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1988 by Jirka Rysavy, a few years after he founded Corporate Express to market recycled paper products. At that time, Rysavy was involved in three separate LOHAS companies, all within one block of each other in Boulder, Colorado. His vision was to serve the "conscious consumer", a group subsequently named the "Cultural Creatives" by sociologist Paul Ray in 1996. Ray's research distinguished a group of educated consumers who make purchasing decisions based on their values. Paul Ray now serves on Gaiam's board of directors.
Originally a catalog business, Gaiam now has products in stores world-wide (Target, Borders, Whole Foods...), and is growing a strong e-commerce sales channel as well. Gaiam catalogs include: Harmony (environmentally friendly lifestyle products), Living Arts (personal development), Real Goods (solar living products) and most recently Explorations (consciousness and spirituality related media).
[edit] Company Information
Corporate Name: Gaiam, Inc.
Company Website: www.gaiam.com
Nasdaq Stock Ticker: GAIA
Corporate Headquarters: 360 Interlocken Blvd. Suite 300 Broomfield, Colorado 80021
Officers:
- Chairman and CEO- Jirka Rysavy
- President and COO- Lynn Powers
- Chief Financial Officer- Vilia Valentine
