Mind of Flowers
This article is written by Sky Corbett-Methot, a Holistic Nutritionist and 500-hour Hatha yoga and meditation instructor.
Picture taken by Joanna Paris
Do you want to hear some exciting news this #wellnesswednesday!? Well, here it is!
Yoga to Cope is thrilled to announce that we are partnering with Mind of Flowers. Mind of Flowers is a company that implements sustainable practices, through slow fashion, combining folklore and flora in the one of a kind robes they create.
There are so many eclectic facets coming together here to create a beautiful self-care product. Mind of Flowers is a robe company that aims to give back to organizations that promote mental health. Yep, you guessed it, this is where Yoga to Cope comes in. Mind of Flowers will be donating 1% of their proceeds to Yoga to Cope to help support our organization. What an awesome mental health-centric robe company! Additionally, we will be seeing some breath-taking products around our future retreats, collaborations, offerings, and potential giveaways!
Let’s learn a little more about the founder of this company, Joanna Paris. Below she shares her insight into what inspired her to launch this company and what drew her to this partnership with Yoga to Cope.
YTC: “Joanna, what has led you to create this beautiful brand?”
Joanna: “The robe brand I’m creating incorporates print designs based on specific flowers, their symbolism, and folklore. I’ll be launching the Native Flora collection later in the year, which highlights black-eyed Susan’s, southern magnolias, Aspen bluebells, wild hydrangeas, and California lilacs.
A few years ago I was living in Australia, frequently traveling Asia, and had just gotten engaged, yet this amazing scenario was also one of the hardest times of my life. My clinical depression, which since my teens had been relatively manageable, decided it the perfect time to kick things up a notch (or five) and really take a front seat in my new exciting adventures.
At the time, I was freelancing from home doing textile design for a corporate fashion brand. We only communicated by email, so I never saw anyone, and with my lack of interest and energy, my daily uniform became a robe I’d purchased earlier purely out of convenience. About a year into this, I caught my reflection in the mirror. There I was, wearing my worn-out, frumpy, used-to-be-white, microfiber robe that looked just about as sad as I was. I instantly felt worse about myself and my condition and remember wishing I had something nicer to wear at home but knew I wasn’t going to do anything about it.
That moment was my inspiration for Mind of Flowers. I wanted to create a robe that has a chance at making people feel hopeful, not discouraged.
I’m definitely bringing a lot of components into my brand; mental health, flower history, and sustainability, but I think my experiences tie them all together and make this something unique. I’ve always been obsessed with robes, I actually focused my degree on lounge wear design in college, and I know so many people that own like six different robes for throughout the year, meaning I’m not alone in the obsession. My background in the fashion industry has shown me how flawed it is and how much it needs to change, which is why I’m committed to developing it in a thoughtful, sustainable way that’s mindful of the earth. I also love history, vintage, and spending time in nature (which is great for mental health), so as a textile designer focusing on florals with historical symbolism was a no brainer.”
YTC: "What is YOUR purpose with MoF?”
Joanna: “My hope is that Mind of Flowers can bring a little joy and encouragement to the everyday. Clothing can have an effect on our mindset, and I think that what we wear at home is just as important as what we wear out. Why do we usually look nice for other people, but we don’t often do it for ourselves? Mind of Flowers is an answer to this while making it comfortable and effortless.
By highlighting the flowers and their symbolism on each robe, I want to make you feel inspired, connected to nature, and a bit nostalgic. Maybe that flower reminds you of your childhood home, that time you went traveling with your best friend, or maybe it's a flower you’ve just always loved. Whatever it is, I hope you feel connected to your robe, as ridiculous as that might sound, and that it becomes a special piece. I’m creating these so you feel like you are supported and taken care of, so you can recall memories while making new ones in something unique, and so you can feel beautiful for yourself even if you’re just at home.
Giving a percentage of each robe to a mental health-focused non-profit was something I knew needed to happen from the start. Yoga to Cope was such a beautiful fit and I’m so excited to support them as they create more free resources for all areas of mental health.”
YTC: “How can people access your content or buy?”
Joanna: “My robes are still in development, but I share behind the scenes photos, floral inspo, and folklore on the Mind of Flowers Instagram @mindofflowers. To learn more about the brand, how to pre-order, or sign up for the collection launch, stop by mindofflowers.com”
Joanna’s passion and intention for launching her brand, got me thinking about how powerful flowers can be.
Not only are they decorative, and smell great but certain plant parts (the flower, the leaves, the root) have certain medicinal benefits.
Flowers can be used in our daily diet quite easily through teas. Yep you read that right, teas are made with more intention than just tasting good. What happens when the tea is being steeped is it extracts the healing properties (constituents) of the plant. What is amazing here is that each plant, whether you are using the leaf (ie. peppermint), the root (ie. ginger), or the flower (ie. lavender), this specific part is being utilized because it is the safest and most healing portion!
Here is a list of 6 herbs that can be used to reduce anxiety.
Let’s delve a little deeper into the benefits of each herb and how to consume it.
Kava Kava is a Polynesian herb that calms the nervous system, reduces pain, muscle spasm, and inflammation. Awesome right? Especially when the mind is having a hard time relaxing. For tea, often the root of the plant is used in a decoction. A decoction is when the root gets placed on the stove and is boiled in hot water for at least ten minutes in order to steep the medicine out of it. Note that there has been research indicating liver damage/failure with use of this herb. Please ask your doctor before utilizing this herb.
Valerian is very powerful in its potency. I’m serious here, tread carefully and lightly. This herb has sedative properties as well as slows down the nervous system. This herb helps with symptoms of anxiety, calms the digestive system, and helps with insomnia. So with that being said, its best used in the evening before bed. The root of this flower is what is used in tea. Same as with Kava Kava, a decoction is the best form to utilize the healing potential.
Lavender, is so much more than a beautiful color. This flower not only smells great but it soothes the digestive system, reduces muscle spasms, and is a nervine sedative calming down our hyperactive nervous system. The flower is what is used in a tea (infusion), allowing you to soak in the calmness.
Lemon balm is a nervine sedative, lessening the activation of an overexerted nervous system. This herb also is antimicrobial, assists in keeping the heart strong, soothes the digestive system (in particular gas), helps support the body during a fever, and reduces muscle spasm. Fun fact: external ointments of lemon balm can be effective in reducing symptoms of the herpes complex! The best way to consume this is same as lavender, through a traditional tea infusion.
Hops, did anyone else envision a pint of Indian Pale Ale…? Although it’s made from hops, the flower I am talking about here has not been fermented and has no alcohol content. This flower is a nervine sedative aiding in calming down the nervous system. Fun fact: due to its phytoestrogen components (naturally occurring estrogen not made in the body), it has been said to reduce symptoms of menopause because it mimics estrogen in the body. Note that the research is mixed on its safety with individuals with moderate to severe major depressive disorder, so please consult your doctor. This is ingested as a tea infusion!
Passionflower uses the leaves of this flower in a tea infusion. What makes this flower so useful is it is a mild sedative, helping to calm down a hyperactive nervous system, reduces muscle spasm and pain. This flower helps with sleep especially those suffering from insomnia.
Perhaps its time to implement an evening cup of tea in your evening ritual. Not only will this enhance your self-care toolbox but it may help alleviate levels of anxiety.
Yoga to Cope and Mind of Flowers partnership is one we are really excited about! The realms of yoga and the various tools it has to offer combined with a brand built on self-care that promotes mental health demonstrates its connection to overall health. Stay tuned for more!
Sky
Picture taken by Joanna Paris
Note that the author and contributors of this post are not doctors or medical experts. It is recommended that you seek out the advice of a health care professional before using these herbal flowers.