Tie Dye Yogis?  What does that even mean?

In a simple view, my culture often looks at the yogi or yogini, as a person who has practiced long and hard to be able to twist and bend in extreme ways as a practice to become stronger and healthier than they were before the practice started. A more esoteric explanation works even better: According to Wikipedia, “…the word yogi is [can be] used generically to refer to both male and female practitioners of yoga and related meditative practices belonging to any religion or spiritual method.” In the 21st century, in the United States of America, there is a resurgence of mindfulness and a “new age” spiritualism that embraces the idea that each individual is an important expression of the greater Oneness.  In this capacity, the highest purpose for each of us is to be fully engaged; by experience and expression, we shape the universe of which we are a part. This is perfect alignment (see what I did there?) with the etymology of the word YOGA, tied to yuj (and yoke, in English) and for thousands of years has been part of a philosophy of uniting the Divine and individual.

History

In the late 70s, Mom bought Jeremy “the coolest shirt, ever,” at Huffhines Art Trails, in Richardson, TX.  The desire to reproduce it began a trial and error learning process that lasted many years.  Bike rides to the local Michael’s and grocery stores, ruined cookware, sage advice from people with ideas and no experience, and many T-shirts (if at first you don’t succeed…) built the foundation of the love affair. Inspiration and invention were the slow building blocks that created a love much deeper than a month of Youtube how-to videos ever could.  Over time, the Art became challenge, the challenge became process, the process became escapism, and escapism slowly became meditation.  When the monkey-mind was gone, the meditation became satisfaction, which became self-expression.  Genuine self-expression is Art. Jeremy is inspired and supported in his color obsession by his wife, Jen, an expert with her own signature styles - and a genuine yogini, taboot!  They often play yin and yang in the process, allowing them to stretch and grow each other.  Together, they present workshops and enjoy selling at occasional art shows.

More

So many of us have a preconception when we hear the term “Tie Dye.”  Some tend to think of tie dye as a flag waved by Hippies in 1960s or 1970s who were rejecting societal norms, some as a kids craft project, and others, not at all. Many, by these associations, want to reject anything to which the general term may be applied; it is easy to exist within our comfortable, cultural niche, and we believe society will abhor our non-conformity.  There is a large contingent of North American Culture that views anything with bright colors as brash and views the idea of tie dye as garish indulgence.  This belief persists even while high- fashion embraces many forms of tie dye and most households possess garments or artwork featuring bandhani or shibori styles of tie dye. Jeremy believes as Emerson wrote, “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” and holds genuine self-expression as sacred.  Not everyone will find delight in tie dye, but we hope everyone will take a moment to look and enjoy each unique piece as a snap-shot of the creative process. For more information, please visit www.tiedyeguide.com for How to Tie Dye instructions, or http://www.facebook.com/TieDyeYogis to look at our shop, or Jump right into instagram @tiedyeyogis

What’s in a name?