Be Kind.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ~Mark Twain

Over the last week, the topic of kindness has popped up on several occasions.  I decided the universe was telling me it’s time to touch upon the topic in this installment of the free to be yoga tees® blog.

Kindness...where has it gone?  That is what I was thinking when I was driving around town running errands last week.  On more than one occasion while out and about, I noticed drivers honking their horns when someone sat a few seconds too long after the light turned green.  In fact, one angry driver was honking even though it was obvious that no cars were moving thanks to a construction zone back-up.  Got my wheels turning...heck, I used to be one of those super impatient, angry people...always in a rush to get to the next destination.  The reality is the journey is the destination.  This is life people...traffic jams and slow drivers.  It’s time to be kind.

A couple days later I logged onto Facebook, and one of my yoga teachers had posed the question, “Whatever happened to the art of Kindness?”  Wow, I thought..interesting timing.  It started a discussion online, which I found quite intriguing!  He went on to say:  “People think they're angry and agitated because of everyone else, but it's exactly the opposite. People are angry and agitated and afraid because they have lost the art of being kind to one and all. ONE AND ALL...not just the people you like or the ones who are getting you what you want. Here's to practicing and perfecting the art of kindness in everything we do.”  (Shout out to Nick H.-thanks for your wisdom!)

I kept thinking about kindness--and how it really seems to be lacking in today’s world--and while it’s impossible to force someone else to change, it’s pretty easy to start with yourself and start a ripple effect!

Then, this morning, I go into my e-mail and started to read a blog that I subscribe to and came across a similar message.  The entry touched upon powerful life lessons and was written by a guy who had studied under a Taoist monk (from Tiny Buddha blog, writer of entry:  Robert Piper).  Two major things stood out to me in this blog:  1.)  Patience is the gift of inner calm.  2.)  We must cultivate happiness from within, and work to spread it around to everyone we interact with.

After reading that, it was clear I was going to write about the topic that’s been in my head for the past week!  You see, it’s all related--patience, kindness, happiness.  Take a look around--this is your life.  There is no reason to walk around being miserable!  Start with yourself--look deep within and find that place of happiness.  Then take it and share it with everyone in the world that you come across.  Life is a gift...it’s best to be kind to yourself and others.   Imagine a world full of kindness!

Until next time...

Namaste

more than a yoga tee

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”
~Benjamin Franklin

I’ve had something on my mind for awhile now, so I’ve decided to blog about it...

When I originally came up with the concept of free to be yoga tees®, the goal was to create t-shirts for yogis to wear during their practice, or in daily life as a way to express themselves off the mat.    However, soon I started to realize that these shirts are not just for yoga-lovers...they really are for everyone!

While talking with people about free to be yoga tees®, I often hear: “Well, if I ever take up yoga, I’ll have to check out your shirts.”  I began to realize that by naming them “yoga tees” I’ve created an uphill battle of trying to prove they are not just for yoga, but hey, it had a good ring to it at the time!  I guess what I’m trying to say is that free to be yoga tees® are really more than a yoga tee.

The shirts are great for working out, but they are also great for everyday life--I wear mine to run errands--heck, I’ve even slept in one on occasion because they are so darn soft!  :)

So there you have it...even if you have never practiced yoga a day in your life, you can still sport a free to be yoga tee.  My goal was to create a shirt that was comfortable, motivational and could put a smile on one’s face when they wore it--plain and simple.  And since they are earth-friendly, made in the USA and available in all shapes and sizes, what’s not to smile about?

Thanks for listening!  Until next time...

Namaste

newest style on sale now

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” ~ Jane Goodall

The newest arrival to the free to be yoga tees® line is finally here!

The latest edition to the earth-friendly, Made-in-the-USA line is a unisex style.  The newest free to be yoga tee is an earthy color--heather bark--and the custom design work includes a peace sign with a Gandhi quote that reads:  “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

The new tee holds to the free to be yoga tees® standard you’ve grown to expect--the shirts are super soft, high-quality, chemical free, and feature custom design work printed with water-based ink.

Unlike the other styles in the free to be yoga tees® line--which are made from organic bamboo--the newest addition is made from 50% organic cotton/50% recycled plastic bottles!

Recycled plastic bottles, you ask?  Yes!!  Here’s how it works--when a bottle is recycled, it gets melted down and spun into polyester fibers for textiles (in this case, clothing).  This fabric, known as RPET, is then blended with the organic cotton, and a t-shirt is born!

This style, along with all free to be yoga tees® styles, are available now under the SHOP tab at freetobeyogatees.com.

Thank you for your continued support--have a beautiful day!

Namaste,
Julie

free to be "eco" tees

“There's a way to do it better—find it."  ~Thomas Edison

I’m getting very excited for the debut of the latest free to be yoga tee style, which will be on sale very soon!  I wanted to share a bit more with you on this brand new addition.

The newest arrival in the earth-friendly, Made-in-the-USA line is a unisex style.  The new tee holds to the free to be yoga tees® standard you’ve grown to expect--the shirts are super soft, high-quality, chemical free, and feature custom design work printed with water-based ink.

Unlike the other styles in the free to be yoga tees® line--which are made from organic bamboo--the newest addition is made from 50% organic cotton/50% recycled plastic bottles!

Recycled plastic bottles, you ask?  Yes!!  Here’s how it works--when a bottle is recycled, it gets melted down and spun into polyester fibers for textiles (in this case, clothing).  This fabric, known as RPET, is then blended with the organic cotton, and a t-shirt is born!

When you purchase an organic cotton RPET blend free to be yoga tee, you are promoting recycling, helping to grow the market for recyclables, supporting energy savings, and believe it or not, helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Currently, 10% of US oil is used to make plastics like our soda and water bottles.  And about 70% of those bottles end up contaminating the earth as they break down over centuries in landfills.

With Earth Day fast approaching, this is a great reminder of the importance of recycling! :)

 While doing research on RPET, I found some fascinating data that helped solidify my decision to add this style to the free to be yoga tees® line.  I’ve shared some of it below!

*For every pound of recycled PET flake used, energy use is reduced by 84% and greenhouse gas emission by 71%!
*Recycling a ton of PET containers saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space
*Nineteen 20 oz PET bottles yield enough fiber for an extra large t-shirt, or enough to make one square foot of carpet
*Recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a 60-watt light blulb for up to six hours.
*Recycling one pound of PET plastic bottles saves approximately 12,000 BTUs (British thermal unit) of heat energy
*90% less water is used in making recycled polyester versus virgin polyester
(Sources:  Earth911.com & Napcor.com)

So, now you know why I’m so pumped for this new shirt!  These free to be yoga tees® are truly “eco” tees!  Stay tuned for an on sale announcement in the coming weeks!!

Until next time...

Namaste

Earth Day, free shipping & more!

“When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.” ~David Orr

April seems to be flying by!  And as an aspiring tree-hugger, one of my favorite ‘holidays’ is right around the corner...yes, Earth Day!

Earth Day started over 40 years ago and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement.  It’s a designated day (April 22) to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment.  

As you know, free to be yoga tees® prides itself for being eco-friendly.  The yoga tees are made from organic/sustainable fabrics, plus the custom design work is printed with low-impact water-based inks.  This route was a no-brainer when the free to be yoga tees® concept took off, and the commitment to grow even greener each and every day helps make this journey so exciting!

In celebration of Earth Day, free to be yoga tees® will bring back FREE SHIPPING for one week only!   Starting this Monday (April 16) at 10 a.m. through Earth Day (Sunday, April 22) at 11:59 p.m., enjoy shipping on the house for all orders on freetobeyogatees.com!  While Earth Day is only one day, we’ll be celebrating it all week long on our Facebook and Twitter pages leading up to the big day with fun ideas on what we can all do to make a difference and be “greener.”  If you haven’t connected with us socially yet, please do so! :)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/free-to-be-yoga-tees/131445043564271
Twitter: http://twitter.com/freetobeyogatee

Also, stay tuned for more details coming very soon on the newest free to be yoga tee which will go on sale later this spring.   I’m really excited about it and I think you will be too.

I’ll leave you with a slogan from a Coca-Cola ad I came across about a year ago...it stuck with me and it’s very appropriate given this blog entry and Earth Day right around the corner.  The ad said, “Impact the world, not the Earth.”

Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Namaste
Julie

Exciting News!

“Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; In the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.” ~Ovid

Happy Monday!!!  I just wanted to share a brief update with you, one that I’m very excited about and hope you are too!

I’m thrilled to announce Santosha Yoga in Chesterfield, MI will now be selling select styles of free to be yoga tees®!  If you live on the east side, make sure to drop in and check them out.  Located at 48774 Gratiot, Santosha Yoga offers a variety of classes as well as massage.  To learn more, visit the studios website at www.santoshayogami.com

In addition, I have some other fantastic news to share.  Starting in April, free to be yoga tees® will also be available for sale at the Art-is-in Market gallery at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, MI!  Art-is-in Market features Michigan designers and has a wonderful variety of art, jewelry, clothing and more!  I’m delighted free to be yoga tees® will be included and hope you’ll come check it out at some point.  The store is located on the second level of the Macy’s concourse, next to Ann Taylor.  For more information on Art-is-in Market, visit http://www.artisinmarket.com

I am so grateful for these opportunities, and excited for the possibilities that lay ahead.

Until next time...
Namaste

Leap Day!

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” ~Theophrastus

In honor of Leap Day, free to be yoga tees® will offer free shipping all day long on Wednesday, February 29!

Since we get a bonus day this year, why not offer all of you a bonus for supporting free to be yoga tees®? :)

What else is on your Leap Day list?  Make the most of this extra day!!  Do something daring...try something new...call a friend you haven’t talked to in ages.  Take advantage of this extra 24 hours and have some fun!

And of course, shop from midnight through 11:59 p.m. this Wednesday at freetobeyogatees.com and take advantage of free shipping!

Take a leap!

Namaste