Before I found IMBŌDHI, I was never a fan of wearing one-pieces. My long legs and torso made jumpers and rompers feel too snug. The Lila Romper and the Bōdhi Jumper from IMBŌDHI, though, fit like they were made for me.
I nervously slipped the first piece on, the Lila Romper, expecting to feel uncomfortable and hate the way it looked on my body. Much to my surprise, not only did it fit, but I also felt exquisite in it. The next piece, the Bōdhi Jumper, brought forth the same soft, lovely feelings as the first.
IMBŌDHI was founded by acroyoga teachers and lovers of dance Carolina Saboya and Ariel Dubov. The pair set out with hopes to fulfill the need for a single outfit that was comfortable, versatile and sustainable. As Dubov says, “It’s simple, we want people to feel at home in their bodies when they wear our clothing.”
The special name is a fusion of the words embody and bōdhi which, in Sanskirt, means to be awakend. “The Ō, which also serves as our logo, is also a very cyclical and well-harmonized symbol. For us, the O feels like a feminine shape and sign, and the line above feels quite masculine — it’s a minimalist sign for the merging of the divine feminine and divine masculine; for us the ‘divine feminine’ and the ‘divine masculine’ are not gender-related. They are spiritual concepts referring to different energies, the feminine energy, and the masculine,” Dubov adds.
Saboya explains that they wanted to create one outfit that did it all. “As two humans that are continuously striving to figure out how to minimize our negative impact on the planet and maximize our regenerative practices, we also needed this ‘dream onesie’ to be sustainably made,” she says.
So far, my one-pieces from IMBŌDHI have supported me through yoga flows, a sweaty TABATA workout, a sand volleyball game, a photoshoot in the rain and a movie on the couch. My IMBŌDHI onesies hold me through play and rest, and they are an outward reflection of the inward confidence I (and we all) try so hard to cultivate.
It feels good to wear an outfit that not only promotes self-love, but also has positive impacts on environmental and social sustainability. The clothes are made from Lenzing Certified MicroModal and Tencel — materials derived from sustainably harvested eucalyptus and beech wood (resulting in the dreamiest fabric that feels as good as your own skin). Also, they occasionally carry deadstock collections, which are made from fabrics that have been diverted from the waste stream. Plus, all packaging is recycled and recyclable.
“From the beginning, our priority was to manufacture our onesies in America to minimize the environmental costs of shipping materials across the world. Right now, about 97% of clothing worn by Americans is actually created overseas. Transport of materials is one of the main reasons why the apparel industry is responsible for about 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions. By keeping all of our operations close to one another, while more costly, we can avoid the carbon footprint associated with overseas transportation,” Dubov shares, “In terms of social sustainability, manufacturing domestically has a ripple effect. We pay our fabric manufacturer in Los Angeles, and our garment manufacturer and fulfillment center in San Francisco. This money then gets circulated into local salaries, and those dollars in turn stimulate the local economy.”
Saboya emphasizes, “Yoga literally means union in Sanskrit. With IMBŌDHI, we are constantly seeking ways to build bridges between ourselves, our bodies, our earth’s body and others. We believe that with less we can access more. With less clothing, less distractions, less outfits, less consumption, we have a greater capacity to access more aliveness, more comfort, more connection and essentially more union with all that is.”
Photos courtesy of Kristen Grace.
Kristen Grace is a writer, editor and yogi who ardently loves storytelling. She enjoys writing about all aspects of mental, physical and collective wellbeing. She finds bliss in nature, especially on picnics, as she is also a foodie and amateur baker. Kristen holds a degree in communication and is passionate about listening and learning. She is currently pursuing a yoga teacher certification because movement and breathwork are two of her true loves.
