THE INTENTIONS COLLECTION

The idea for the Intentions Collection came to me during my yoga teacher training in Geneva, Switzerland in 2012. At the time, the power of intention was infusing itself into my understanding of how the world worked and my place within it.

The training was intense. It was the first time that Joan Hyman was teaching at Innercityoga, and I lovingly described her as  a teacher's teacher, because of her deeply advanced practice (teaching 500+ hour students) and how prolific the training was. From asana and meditation to philosophy, kirtan chanting, sanskrit and anatomy, it was 4 straight weeks of intense physical, emotional and spiritual practice. At about week number two, many of the 13 women wanted to give up. I still don't know how the students who spoke English as a second language (with French being their mother tongue) were able to absorb the physiology and anatomy portions.

As I delved deeper into the my understanding of how I could more peacefully navigate life through the practice of yoga, I saw how living humbly and gratefully  - from our intentions - connects us to our authentic power and transforms everything from the inside out.

This is where the energetic imprint of words found me. From the intentions we set for our asana practice, to the deeper meaning of Sanskrit words, and chants meant to evoke loving kindness for all beings. My favorite mantra was Om Namah Shivaya -  I bow to Lord Shiva, I bow to the inner Self - what is within, so is without. And,  Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu - May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

I found myself drawing words of intention in my notebooks, and sometimes on my inner wrists or the outside area of my palm. As if I could tattoo myself with words that would hold space for me as the tides of life shifted around me.

When it came time to teach my first class as a part of the final exams, I was nervous. Many people were chosen to teach one single pose, and yet I was given sun salutations, an entire sequence. At the time, it seemed so intimidating but I warmed up to the idea, as I felt the resonance of what it means to salute the sun, to give thanks in prayer, to rise up to meet the day - Samastitihi. To open up to the possibilities of a new life - Urdhva Hastasana. To bend forward in recognition of the place you take up on this earth - Uttanasana. To lunge forward in action, Anjaneyasana and find balance and strength in Plank Pose. Lowering down to the earth, Chaturanga Dandasana without forgetting your breathe. Then rising up, Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, stretching yourself, expanding your awareness, and coming back in, up and out, strong like a house, the temple of your body, using each muscle and breathe to rest in Adho Mukha Svanasana. And then, to do it all over again.

Yoga mirrors life. It's intricacies and simplicity.

That's when it struck me. The words, they're alchemical. They link us. Through words, we create our perspectives and define our worlds. We tell stories that either hurt us or serve us.

As I finished the training, a new thought came into my being as I sat in the studio waiting for class to start. Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" came on. None but ourselves can free our minds. I felt the words seep into my being. I looked down at the ink infused into my skin. And I began to dream about creating beautiful camisoles filled with intentions, hidden words written in gold on the inside of silken tank taps made from natural fibers or vintage saris and kimonos. I saw the words running down the spine of the back, the edge of the waist, against the heart.

So this is how the Intentions Collection began. With the idea that having our own power words, the energy we most want to call into our lives or embody, living against our skin, in our everyday clothes could activate us like a mantra and help us to foster our own kind of superpower. A remembrance that we are responsible for the energy and intention we bring into this world.

So, I sketched out a few designs with hidden words...grace, joy, presence...and clarity. Their message, a talisman that no one could see but me, the wearer. It was like ancient magic, I thought, intentions mixing with the sound of someone's heartbeat, the warmth of their skin, the air as they moved from one place to the next. 

And yet, life happened. As it always does. I got busy with work, and the sketches stayed in my notebook.

Years later, I moved halfway across the world from Switzerland and back home to Hawaii. Yet this dream always stayed with me.

A handmade, bespoke collection. Custom orders specific to what the person needs to call into their life at that moment in time. Holding the intention of the word as I slip-stitched through the fibers of textile goodness.

And so, here we are, years later, halfway across the world from when the idea first came to me and I’m back sketching…

Each word will be hand-panted in metallic ink or embroidered with golden thread and finished with a signature end.

These camisoles will act as an everyday reminder to live with intention. Whether we want to find more love and peace or allow patience, understanding and grace to enter into our hearts. For that is where the magic lies in wait. In that empty space between your heart and what you bring forth into this world.

Join the wait list here