Be Merry

“May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through.” ~unknown

Tis the season to be merry!

The holiday season is upon us, and December seems to be going by far too fast!  Yes, it’s the busiest time of year, but don’t forget that it’s also one of the most special.  Let us all take time to slow down, enjoy the season and all of life’s blessings.

On behalf of free to be yoga tees, I’d like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Om Shanti--may peace be with you!

Namaste,
Julie

Traveling Mike

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."  ~Lao Tzu

I love traveling.  Mind you, my bucket list of places I’d like to go is about a mile long, as I really haven’t had the chance to truly explore the world...yet.

So while I sit here and daydream of the places I’d like to go one day, I am also enjoying a trip around the world vicariously through my cousin Mike--who shall be known going forward as Traveling Mike.  :)

My cousin, a true free spirit, has inspired me.  He left his stable and well-paying job for a one year sabbatical--opting to travel the world by himself!  With a one-way ticket to Hong Kong, he left with only a carry-on bag and a list of places he’d like to hit on his year-long journey.

I was amazed, not to mention shocked, by the lack of luggage or a planned itinerary.  If it were me leaving for a long trip, I’d have to bring my whole closet!!  Haha--I’m really not joking though!! ;)  In addition to over-packing, I would most likely have over-planned every detail of my trip in advance-because that is what I tend to do!  But Traveling Mike’s mentality is to go with the flow.  He can always pick up things he needs along the way and regarding destinations, he’ll just see where the winds take him next so to speak.  Profound.

Before he left for his adventure, I gave him a free to be yoga tee.  I crossed my fingers it would make it into his small bag for the year-long journey.  And to my amazement, Traveling Mike has been sporting it on his travels.

I can’t describe how happy I was to see Traveling Mike sporting his free to be yoga tee while I was flipping through some photos he had posted of his trip so far.  First Hong Kong and then Vietnam...I almost felt like I was there....almost!

So as my free to be yoga tee (actually Traveling Mike’s tee!) travels around the world, I will be posting pictures in an album named “Traveling Mike” that can be found on free to be yoga tee’s Facebook page.  You can enjoy the journey with me as the yoga tee sees the world!

And feel free to submit your own pictures to me via e-mail at freetobeyogatees@gmail.com or via Facebook.  Would love to check out your adventures sporting a free to be yoga tee, whether it’s to an exotic location or even an outdoor adventure at your local park!

To Traveling Mike, safe travels and thanks again for taking your free to be yoga tee on your around-the-world adventure!

Until next time...

Namaste

"charitee"

“Among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” ~Maya Angelou

I’m excited to announce something new for the month of December!

A portion of sales from each free to be yoga tee purchased during the month of December will be donated to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC).

The NRDC works to solve the most pressing environmental issues we face today: curbing global warming, getting toxic chemicals out of the environment, moving America beyond oil, reviving our oceans, saving wildlife and wild places, and helping China go green. According to the New York Times, the NRDC is “One of the nation’s most powerful environmental groups.”  For more information on NRDC, please visit their website at www.nrdc.org!

Buy a free to be yoga tee during the month of December and we’ll donate a portion of sales to charity!  With an attitude of gratitude, it only seems natural to give back, especially this time of year! :)

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Namaste

free to be...thankful

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”  ~W.T. Purkiser

I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

First and foremost, I am grateful for another wonderful year on this planet, Earth.  I am also thankful to have found a career-path that I love.  One that has opened my eyes, inspired me and made me a true believer that you can live your dream!

This past year has been an exciting ride with the launch of the free to be yoga tees line.  It was a big accomplishment for me, after a year of hard work and research on the concept.  Having an idea that sprouted during a yoga practice turn into reality has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.  No one can ever take this experience away from me, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

I know I’ve said this before, and I’m sure I will say it again...I am so very thankful for wonderful family, friends, and fans of free to be yoga tees, whose support means the world and fuels my soul.  I am truly blessed.

As a small gesture of gratitude, free to be yoga tees will offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders placed online at freetobeyogatees.com from Wednesday Nov. 23 starting at 10am (eastern) through Monday, Nov. 28 at 10pm (eastern).

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Namaste,
Julie

NEW ARRIVALS!

“Grow where you are planted.” ~proverb

Great news!!  The new additions to the free to be yoga tees line have arrived--and just in time for the holiday season!

The new arrivals include a long sleeve women’s tee in charcoal black, made from organic bamboo and organic cotton, while the anticipated men’s line makes its debut with a black short sleeve tee made from an organic bamboo/cotton blend.

Proudly made in the USA, all free to be yoga tee styles are on sale now under the shop tab at freetobeyogatees.com!  The online store is open 24/7, and all major credit cards are accepted!

Only 46 more shopping days until Christmas!

Until next time...

Namaste!

can free to be yoga tees go in the dryer?

“We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.” ~E.B. White

Hey all!

I just wanted to provide a brief update to the FAQ’s I posted awhile back on the free to be yoga tee line.  One of the most frequent asked questions I get is whether or not you can put the tee in the dryer.

Well, the original answer I gave was straight from the manufacture I work with.  They suggest the shirts can be put in the dryer on low, and that shrinkage is similar or less than you would expect in top quality cotton fabrics.

Early in the process, I had tested sample tees in the dryer and didn’t notice any change.  However, since my tees have been complete, I myself have yet to put one in the dryer.  That’s just how I am--I hang a lot of my clothes to air dry for various reasons.  But I decided I should test it myself so that my customers don’t have to be the guinea pig.

So, after drying my tee on low heat, it did shrink.  Totally bummed by this, and if you already own a tee and have had this problem, please let me know.  I’m really sorry about that!  But I am glad I did it so I know going forward!

The moral of this story (or rather blog!) is that you should skip putting your free to be yoga tee in the dryer.  Hang it to dry...that way it will keep it’s shape/size perfectly, it will last longer, and heck--it’s more eco-friendly to hang your clothes to dry anyway, right? ;)

Namaste!

coming soon!

“Don’t make money your goal.  Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you. “ ~Maya Angelou


If you just can’t get enough of your free to be yoga tee, you are in luck! New styles are coming soon! And if you have yet to buy one, perhaps our new tees will be the right fit for you.

Coming this holiday season, free to be yoga tees will offer a woman’s long sleeve tee.  Perfect timing with the cold weather right around the corner!

Also, I’m proud to announce the free to be yoga tee men’s line will debut with a short sleeve tee as well!

Stay tuned for updates.  Exciting things to come!

Namaste

frequently asked questions on the new line

“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” -Coco Chanel

Greetings!

Hope you are having a great week.

I’ve received some positive feedback so far on the free to be yoga tees, and am so grateful for all of your support.  I’ve also received some great questions that I’m sure many of you who have already purchased a tee (or are thinking about it!) are wondering, so I will be providing some information that I hope you will find helpful.

Q-  Why bamboo?
A-  Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource and is naturally regenerative.  It’s grown without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers.  In addition, bamboo fabric is thermal regulating, has natural wicking properties, is odor resistant and anti-static--plus it even has natural UV protection!  It’s also crazy soft, so it’s super comfy to wear! :)

Q-  Do the shirts run true to size?
A-  Yes and no.  The tank tops and the sage green v-neck tee are true to size.  The charcoal black v-neck tee is running a little on the smaller side, so order a larger size when in doubt.

Q-  Are the shirts organic?
A-  Yes, they are made from 100% viscose fiber produced from certified organically grown bamboo or blended cotton, organic cotton, Lycra or recycled polyester.   If you purchase a baby-rib tank, you may notice the care label does not say organic--but rest assured they are!  The shirt manufacturer I work with was finishing up a batch of older labels (instead of wasting them--which I can totally appreciate!)

Q-  What is the best way to wash/dry a free to be yoga tee?
A-  According to the manufacturer, you can wash the tees just like you would cotton--cold or warm water and tumble dry low.  Do not use bleach or fabric softener.  Harsh detergents can cause holes, so they should be avoided.  Remove promptly from the dryer.  Because viscose from bamboo fabric is so absorbent, the shirts will absorb the moisture from your other clothes in the dryer and will be the last of your clothes to dry.  Shrinkage is similar or less than you would expect in top quality cotton fabrics.

Q- Anything else I should know about free to be yoga tees?
A-  Yes!  The fabric is free of chlorine and formaldehyde, and the custom design work on tees is printed with water-based inks, which are better for the environment than those printed with plastisol ink (widely used in the t-shirt industry).

Q-  I’m not quite ready to buy my yoga tee yet.  If I wait, can I still get style, size and color I have my eye on?
A-  We have a limited inventory available for the inaugural line.  Once we are out of certain styles, sizes and colors, there is a good chance we will not be getting more in.  We hope to have new styles and designs soon.  More to come on that!

Interesting stuff, huh?  If you have a question that I did not cover, please feel free to reach out to me at freetobeyogatees@gmail.com and I will be happy to help.

Now go rock your free to be yoga tee! :)

Namaste

my journey with yoga

“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” ~B.K.S. Iyengar


In honor of National Yoga Month, I thought it would a good time to share a little background on my journey with yoga.

I started doing yoga in college--DVDs (okay, actually it was VHS tapes--wow, I’m old!) because lets face it, that was way cheaper than taking a class.  I found the practice to be relaxing-something I needed with the stress of university life.  I also found it therapeutic, having had hernia surgery my freshman year, which resulted in scar tissue and nerve pain.

Over the following years, I continued to enjoy a peaceful yoga practice when time allowed, but it wasn’t until the last couple of years that I realized how important it would become.

Complications from that surgery back in college came back to haunt me years later, causing chronic pain that basically changed my life.  A lot of activities I used to enjoy were no longer possible.  The pain began to take over my life.  My mind dwelled on it and soon I became overwhelmed with everything.

Along with the pain, other major changes were going on in my life.  I had recently quit the job I had been practically married to for many years, and was trying to decide what I wanted to do next.  Having more free time than ever, I decided to check out a neighborhood yoga studio--something I hadn’t had the luxury of doing when I was a workaholic.

This move changed my life.

The difference between a yoga DVD and an actual class was huge.  It was the best yoga practice I had ever experienced, and I left that day with a new sense of calm...and hope.

My practice deepened tremendously from then on out.  Through yoga, I really started to grasp the idea of the mind-body connection, which has been a life-saver dealing with the chronic pain.  It’s also helped manage my stress/anxiety, because let’s face it, almost everyone has that these days!  Finally, through this love affair that developed with yoga, I was inspired and started free to be yoga tees.

Yoga changed my perspective on how I view life.   My mantra “be here now” signifies the importance of living in the moment.  A good friend gave that to me, and it’s been a constant reminder to enjoy now.  I have a new sense of gratitude for everything and everyone around me.  I focus on the positive rather than dwell on the negative.  I am more compassionate and I have grown to be more patient (well....more patient than I used to be!) :)

I’ve learned to accept the things I used to fight--especially the pain.  I’ve learned to separate how I physically feel from how I am--meaning I can now have a great day even if my pain levels are high.  Before, if I was in serious pain, it ruined the day.   I’ve learned to listen to my body.  I know when to push...when to rest...and to honor that and be happy with where I am.

Yoga has also helped me reconnect with nature.  Growing up I was into saving the environment, endangered species, etc.  I sort of lost sight of all of that over the years, but yoga has helped put me back in touch with this side of myself.   I think there is more to come on this front...just need to figure out exactly what direction I’d like to take, but I know I can make a difference.  I believe we all can.

I hope I haven’t completely bored you with my yoga story.  But I wanted to share with you, so you’d understand why it’s important to me.  Yoga has changed me...it’s inspired me...it’s helped me manage pain...and live a better, more meaningful life.

If you have never tried yoga, I highly recommend checking it out.  Whether you are just looking for a new workout regimen, need an outlet to de-stress, suffer from chronic pain--or other health issues for that matter--yoga may be your best bet.   And of course, when you practice, don’t forget to wear your free to be yoga tee! Haha, couldn’t help myself! :)

Until next time...

Namaste!

on sale NOW

“As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears.” ~Rumi

I have some BIG news to share with you today.  It’s with great pride I announce the debut of the free to be yoga tee line, which is on sale NOW!

The Earth-friendly line features two styles for women--the baby-rib tank and the v-neck tee--with several choices of design and color.  Both styles are made from viscose fiber produced from certified organically grown bamboo and blended with either organic cotton (v-neck) or Lycra (tank).

Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource and is naturally regenerative.  It is grown without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and requires no irrigation.  The fabric is also known to have natural wicking properties and is odor resistant--making it the perfect top to sweat in!  The shirts are also anti-static and have natural UV protection, making them great for any activity indoors or outside.

The custom design work is printed with water-based inks, which are better for the environment than plastisol ink, which is widely used in the t-shirt industry.  Even the hangtags are made from recycled paper and are embedded with wildflowers that consumers can soak, plant and watch grow!

In addition to being Earth-friendly, the shirts are proudly made in the USA!

On behalf of free to be yoga tees, I’d like to thank you for your support.  Also, I’d like to invite you to check out the line, which is available now at www.freetobeyogatees.com under the SHOP tab.

This has been an incredible adventure so far, not to mention a learning experience.  I appreciate your feedback, so if you run into any challenges during the purchase process, please shoot me an e-mail at freetobeyogatees@gmail.com and let me know.

Thanks again!

Namaste,
Julie

go green!

“The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty.  The activist is the man who cleans up the river.”  ~Ross Perot

I traveled to the northwest this past weekend for a mini-vacation.  During my sightseeing extravaganza, I was pleasantly surprised how green it was.  And I’m not talking about the lush evergreen forests that blanket the area.  I am referring to how eco-friendly it was--I must say it’s truly inspiring!

While the green movement has been increasingly popular over the last couple of years, I was surprised by how far ahead they seem to be out there.  Whether it was the electric buses, car pool lanes, hybrid cars, recycling bins, farmers markets, natural food stores, homeopathic pharmacies, the theme was green no matter which way you looked. 

In Seattle, I noticed a recycle bin next to each garbage can throughout the city.  Talk about convenient!  Of course people will be more apt to recycle when it’s so easy!  It’s not a hassle out there...it’s a way of life.

As I arrived home in the mitten, I felt motivated.  I plan to look into organizations trying to implement green initiatives and get involved.  If we all make a conscious effort, imagine the difference we can make!  I look forward to the day that no matter where I travel, every city is green and a recycle bin sits along my path. 

Namaste!

almost there...

“Nobody trips over mountains.  It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.  Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.”  ~Unknown

Pebbles, huh?  I feel more like Charlie Brown lately.  You know, in It’s A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown:  “I got a rock.”

Analogies aside, this past month has been pretty frustrating.   The shirts will FINALLY make their way to the printer next week...the final step in the process.   I’ve been faced with numerous delays before reaching this point.  I think the part that makes it so difficult right now is that I’m not in the driver’s seat--a lot of the things I am currently waiting on are out of my control.

All I can do now is wait.  It’s time to take in the scenery and remind myself how far this journey has taken me.  I will also keep my fingers crossed that there will be no further bumps in the road from here on out.

I think I see that mountain in my future!

Namaste

my vacation

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.  The mind is everything.  What we think we become.”  ~Buddha

I just got back from a family vacation.  One of the worst trips ever.  I won’t bombard you with the boring details of vacation drama, but lets just say there were some circumstances out of our control that made it difficult to relax and enjoy.

I mean, it was bad!  However, what made it worse is that I let the external things going on get inside my head and create a whole new world of hell.  

While all of the events were unfolding on our trip, I kept thinking there has to be a lesson here or something.  Unfortunately, I let one small thing after another get under my skin, and before I knew it I was lost in a sea of negativity.  I was so absorbed I couldn’t remove myself from the situation and even attempt at enjoying the trip.

Looking back, I am embarrassed that I allowed that to happen.  Through my yoga practice, I’ve really gotten better at looking at the bright side of things and having a positive outlook...a sense of gratitude.  All of that knowledge out the door on this vacation--epic failure!  haha :)

But in all seriousness, I can’t change what happened or how I acted.  I can learn from it though and hopefully be stronger the next time!  Because there will be a next time...life is full of drama!  I just need to remind my mind that I’m in the driver seat and I control the direction of my emotions.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I take a mental vacation!

Aloha...and namaste!

free to be yoga tees turns one!

“The path to transformation involves many small steps.  Experience each on as meaningful.” ~Ruth Lauer-Manenti

Wow!  It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since the birth of the free to be yoga tees concept!   When I started on this journey, I had no clue what designing my own clothing line would entail.   Needless to say, it’s been a heck of a ride!

I’ve gained quite a bit of knowledge on running a business as well as the ins and outs of designing a clothing line over the past year--but most importantly, I’ve learned more about myself.   At a certain point during this process, I realized that this one idea really sparked a transformation in me personally.   It’s truly been the most gratifying experience of my life to date.

I’ve finally learned the importance of patience.  I’ve also learned to have compassion and acceptance when things don’t go the way I’d like them to, and to celebrate the smallest of accomplishments because it takes hard work and time to make great things happen.

I am completely and wholeheartedly inspired with these shirts...and with life.  I have an entirely different attitude than a year ago!   My dream is becoming a reality, and it’s a wonderful feeling.  I can only imagine the possibilities that lay ahead.

Thank you again for your support along this journey!  Until next time...

Namaste!

T.G.I.M.

Thank God it’s Monday.

Seriously?  Who on earth says that, right?

One of my yoga teachers did last night, actually.  And the more I think about it, she is right on the money.  It’s all about your attitude.

My wheels have been turning about this concept since last week, when I attended a lecture by Gautam Jain.  The topic was The Essence of Living:  Action, Devotion and Knowledge.  One of the undertones to the lecture was this idea of being grateful for what you have.

During his lecture, Gautam read a short story that had a pretty powerful message. He said: “I complained I had no shoes until I met a man that had no feet.”

Powerful, huh?  And something we can all learn from.  When is the last time you were grateful for your feet?

I am so glad to have taken this bit of knowledge away from the lecture and share it all with you as well.  Adopt an attitude of gratitude.  It’s that simple.

Namaste, everyone.  And T.G.I.T.  Yep-I said it-Thank God it’s Tuesday! ;)

free to be yoga tees label

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s funny how things work out.  If it had not been for the free to be yoga tee clothing label, I think it’s a safe bet to say the shirts would already be done and on sale.  This was the last detail I had to finalize before the shirts went to the printer, and it’s probably been the most frustrating.

The plan was to stay true to the free to be yoga tee brand--so the labels needed to be made from earth-friendly materials in the USA.  I never in a millions years would have imagined that this combo would prove to be so difficult to find!   When all is said and done, it took me several months to finalize this element--and it was only when I had basically given up that I found the company that satisfied the requirements.

Throughout my search, I had found quite a few companies that made eco-friendly labels.  I found only a handful of actual labels that were made in the USA--but they were far from “green”.  One vendor basically laughed at me and said what I was looking for didn’t exist.  Glad I didn’t listen to them!

I was dragging my feet at this point.  I knew the order had to be placed or further delay the yoga tees, but I had a pit in my stomach about buying labels that didn’t mesh with my vision.  The made in the USA component is extremely important to me, and purchasing labels that were made overseas just didn’t sit well.

In a last ditch effort, I stumbled upon a company that fit the requirements I was looking for--FINALLY!   So the good news is the labels are now in the process of being made, which means I am that much closer to the launch.   And more importantly, they are being made the way I wanted them to be!

Can’t wait to see what they look like--and to share with all of you!

Namaste!

a lesson from a turtle

“Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you have ever taken the time to watch a turtle walk, you know they move at a slow pace.  I think we all could learn something from turtles...slow down.

Last week I was on my way to an appointment.  I noticed something in the middle of the road.  At first I couldn’t make out what it was, but I could see that it was moving ever so slightly.  As I got closer, I realized it was a turtle making it’s way slowly across the busy road.

I panicked.  What do I do?  If I just drive by, it will surely get hit.  I couldn’t allow that to happen.  I had to do something.  So I stopped my car and got out, causing every car behind me to stop.  I was afraid to pick up the turtle--having never handled one, I was scared I would hurt it or something--so instead, I started to talk to the turtle.  I bent down and asked the little guy to move.

Well, you can imagine what the people in the growing traffic jam thought about the stupid girl talking to a turtle in the middle of the road.  People were honking, sticking their heads out the window, and probably muttering profanities because they would be 30 seconds late to wherever they were headed.

Have some patience people!  I’m trying to save a turtle!

Finally, the little guy turned around and started to slowly walk back toward the side of the road where he had come from.  As soon as he was safe, I got back in my car and drove off.

Later on that afternoon, as I was thinking about the little turtle, I was sad to think about the idea of what would have happened if I hadn’t stopped.  Many people are in such a hurry that they would have just kept driving.  Some may not have even had the patience to put on the breaks or try to avoid whatever creature happened to be crossing the road.  Where is the compassion for animals?  Big or small, they are alive and deserve our love and respect.  

So often we rush through life, whether we are late for a meeting or have such a busy schedule that we have no time to relax and enjoy.  If we all just try and slow down, even just a little bit, maybe we can see the beauty all around us and appreciate the simple things in life...even in the tiny turtle venturing across a busy road.

Namaste

life

I’ll be perfectly honest. I’ve hardly worked on the shirts this week. Life has gotten in the way. This past week has been awfully sad, with the passing of two family-friends just days apart.

Sometimes events such as this put everything back into perspective. Tomorrow is not a guarantee. I think we often get caught up in the madness that is everyday life, and we rarely stop to reflect on how beautiful life is. It’s truly a gift!

If I have learned anything, it is to make the most of the time you have. Spend it with the people you love. Surround yourself with good people. Live a life of peace, integrity and meaning. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is short. Live in the moment and enjoy the time we have.

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

Namaste,
Julie

a sneak peek...

The free to be yoga tee line is made with love and respect for nature.  I spent a good deal of time researching shirt companies, screen printers and the like in an effort to be as earth-friendly as possible.  Every detail and decision that has gone into the shirts has been influenced by my goal of keeping this line brand green.

With this said, I am excited to share a sneak peek at one of these small details!  It’s the free to be yoga tee hangtag.

A hangtag, you may ask...what is so special about that?  Well, I will tell you.  The hangtag is embedded with wildflower seeds.  Once you buy your tee, cut off the tag, plant in fine soil and watch the seedlings grow into beautiful flowers!   The paper itself will recycle naturally into the soil.  And to stay true to the free to be yoga tee brand, the hangtags, of course, are made in the USA!

I have been inspired by nature, and through this line, I can give back to nature in a small way...and that makes me happy.

“Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.  Everything is simply happy.  Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.  Look at the flowers - for no reason.  It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are.”  ~Osho

Namaste, everyone!

update on upcoming line!

“It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop.”  Wise words of wisdom from Confucius, and somewhat of a mantra I have adopted during this creative process of bringing the free to be yoga tee brand to life.

I’m getting closer to having the first wave ready to go!  It’s taking me a lot longer than I thought it would, but being somewhat of a perfectionist, I’d rather try and get it right the first time around!  The women’s line will debut late spring/early summer, and I hope to have a men’s line ready to go by the holidays.

The upcoming line is made entirely in the USA--which I am very proud of--plus it’s earth-friendly too! The shirts are made from organic bamboo--nature’s most sustainable resource.  In addition, the designs are being printed with water-based inks, which are better for the environment.  

Stay tuned for the launch--can’t wait for you all to check it out!   A brief thank you to my family and friends for their continued support and encouragement.  It’s been an incredible journey thus far--I continue to learn a ton and have grown so much over the last year both personally and professionally.  As I get closer to the launch, I need to remind myself how far I’ve come, because slow or not, there is no stopping me now!

Until next time...

Namaste!

freetobeyogateesblog.com!

Hi friends!

In an effort to reach as many people as possible, I’ve joined Blogger.  Please check out my blog if you have a chance at freetobeyogateesblog.com!  You can subscribe via e-mail here to receive updates right in your in-box OR you can even share the blog entires via Facebook and Twitter.

Of course, you can always just read my blog entries here on the free to be website as well!  In the crazy world we live in, I’m just trying to keep up and spread the word about free to be yoga tees! :)

Namaste

free to be yoga tees

It all started with an idea.  It was March 2010, and I was at yoga.  Instead of focusing on my breath and being present in the moment, I stood there in down dog with my mind wondering as it often does.

True, quieting the mind is something we all try to achieve in yoga, and sometimes I am able to do that.  But more often than not, my wheels start to turn and the ideas start to flow.   Generally, the inspiration I find during my practice motivates me the minute I leave the mat.

During this particular point in my life, I was going through some big changes.  I had recently quit my job.  I was burnt out, unhappy and searching for balance in my life.  It was a bold move, but one worth making.  With so much uncertainty of what was ahead, I felt confused and overwhelmed with what to do next.  Maybe that’s why on this particular day during yoga, when all of a sudden I had this vision to start designing my own yoga tees, I figured it was another one of my silly ideas.  So I jotted it down in my journal, and that was it.

Fast forward to June 2010.  Somehow, the idea of designing my own line of yoga tees stuck in my head since that day back in March.  And after thinking about it....talking about it....I realized it was time to do something about it.  So I did!

Shortly thereafter, it became official.  I started my own company, free to be llc.  June 28, 2010 marked the birth of free to be yoga tees, an apparel company offering motivational shirts aimed at enhancing one’s yoga practice, while bringing a smile to his or her face.    The idea was to take a yoga tee, bring it to life and give it character, allowing yogis a way to express themselves in a fun way beyond the mat.

But it is more than that!  It’s also a state of mind.  I want to inspire through this line, as well as through the website and my blog, and hopefully remind everyone that we are all free to be anything we want!

This journey has been a slow one, but enjoyable to say the least!  I started by designing the free to be logo, which was inspired by the dragonfly.  This amazing creature of the wind represents change, good luck, strength, peace and harmony.  I couldn’t think of anything better to symbolize my yoga tees!  Another thing important to me is nature, so I started to focus on ways to make this clothing line as earth-friendly as possible.  And finally, the shirts had to be made in the USA.  These requirements may have delayed the process a bit, but I would not imagine doing it any other way!

And that is it, in a nutshell.  I have a long way to go, and the ideas continue to materialize, but I’ve taken my idea....my dream...and made it a reality.  Down the road, I envision making a difference through free to be yoga tees, perhaps finding a charitable cause to support. But for now, I truly feel like the sky is the limit and the possibilities are endless.  Excited to see where the road leads next!

All aboard, my friends!  It’s gonna be a fun ride!

Thanks for your support.
Namaste