A fashion story dedicated to finding what feels good on your body while moving through life both physically and mentally with purpose.
My true journey in fitness started over a decade ago when I tragically lost my health to GBS, CIDP.
Building my body back was the hardest and most excruciating thing I’d ever been through.
After years of physical therapy, I ended up at #breathepilatesmiami – thanks to my doctor’s suggestion.
It’s where I truly learned to move again, albeit slowly. Each time I attended class, I wore the same thing over and over (ugly jogger pants with a raggedy old t-shirt.)
I was ashamed and embarrassed of my illness and the state of my body. And, being in Miami where the norm was tight, tight & tighter, I just felt like disappearing.
As the years passed (with unwavering dedication,) I started to get stronger thanks to my #pilates guru and now good friend, @gretchenwagoner, who helped me navigate my new normal.
And NO, not one time, after all of those years did she ever comment about what I was wearing (the same old thing.) Instead, she focused on my physical and mental well-being.
Then one day in class, I noticed Gretchen wearing this interesting jumpsuit ; not too loose and not too tight. It was just right, and I was instantly drawn to it.
It was a #rippleyogawear jumper. (More on that in a bit.)
Despite overcoming a lot of physical obstacles, pushing through exquisite chronic pain and being embraced by my Breathe Pilates community, I was still in this strange holding pattern.
Yes, I was progressing, but frankly, there were times it would just all go to hell again. That’s the nature of #CIDP; push too hard and you’re in pain and can’t move; don’t push enough and you’re in pain because your body needs to move (hence the noncommittal joggers and tattered t-shirt.)
I wanted to give up so many times. I would sit in my car after Pilates and cry. “I’m never going back there again,” I’d sob out loud banging on the steering wheel like a crazy person, but for some reason, I did go back. Again and again and again.
It was on one of those very days, Gretchen, my Pilates guru, and now, dear friend was wearing a jumpsuit; not too tight and not too loose. Just right.
I asked her about it. She sent me the link right after class and told me how she felt in her casual cool getup.
Ripple Yogawear “Hmmm…” I thought to myself, “I’m not a yogi, but Gretchen is, but she also happened to be an incredible Pilates instructor.”
Come to find out, Ripple Yogawear was a pretty special company with values revolving around: #Quality #Sustainability #Respect & #Comfort …
They strive to create clothing to help you move “comfortably, confidently, and naturally.” It’s as if they were waiting for me, to greet me, on the other side of that strange holding pattern. Also…
“Ripple was born with the mission of creating a sustainable alternative to the predominantly plastic-based active wear industry.” Good for the body and the planet, yes please.
I placed a jumpsuit in my cart and never looked back. For the record, even though I wasn’t wearing them, I kept those joggers for a long time.
Eventually, I donated them. I cried at the Salvation Army truck when I handed them over. They had seen me through a lot, but I knew it was time to let go.
Wearing my first Ripple jumper, I had a sense of confidence I’d never felt before while doing Pilates. I felt stylish, put together and could finally move freely without feeling like I didn’t fit in.
As my Pilates practice progressed, I began dabbling in other onesies, but alas, I always returned to Ripple. It was the perfect fit and when I formed a friendship with them on social media, I knew it was kismet.
Sometimes, stories just write themselves (like this one) and your journey unwittingly intertwines with beautiful humans who are just trying to make the world a better place. Thank you, Ripple Yogawear. That’s what you’ve done for me.
White outfit:
Ripple’s Tetra Scarf, Pique Sweatpants, cotton crew neck t-shirt, cream leg warmers and carrying their Tote Yoga Bag.
The Day Buckle Mary Jane by @everlane #everlane
Jewelry by @adinaeden_
The @naboso_technology mat helps stimulate the nervous system & enhance movement. #naboso
Green outfit: Wearing the Organic Cotton Long Jumpsuit in Cobalt Green with matching Criss Cross bra by Ripple yogawear.
Black outfit & Sweatshirt The Organic Cotton Long Jumpsuit in black & the “Pique Sweatshirt” in black (it’s roomy, comfy and takes me from studio to street, stylishly.
“Change happens through movement and movement heals.” — Joseph Pilates
