Meet Bliss Baby Yoga’s Illustrator Sophie Duncan
Here at Bliss Baby Yoga we are passionate about living with Ahimsa, or kindness towards the self, others and the planet at large. We are blessed to have so many incredible women working alongside us, and when we sat down to think how we could share some ideas for living more sustainably, our inspirational illustrator, Sophie Duncan, came to mind.
Sophie is the hands behind the beautiful illustrations in the Bliss Baby Yoga course manuals, social media feeds, blogs and Moving with the Moon book. She also runs Deer Daisy Stationery – an Australian based environmentally conscious greeting card company who strive to integrate sustainability into everything they do.
Here are Sophie’s top tips for living more sustainably:
1. Eco Conscious Menstrual Products
Since working with Bliss Baby Yoga and illustrating Moving with the Moon I’ve developed a much deeper understanding of my cycle. With so many products out there it’s easier than ever to make sustainable menstrual choices. I’ve found menstrual cups to be great as I can rest with a clear conscience that I’m not adding to menstrual product landfill every month.
2. Sustainable skin care
I am very particular about what I put on my skin as I am conscious of nourishing my skin’s microbiome for a healthy, radiant glow. The idea that ‘less is more’ definitely works for me in regards to skin care, and most of the products I use could be found in the pantry.
I use high quality and organic oils such as black sesame, jojoba, rosehip and shea butter for moisturising and cleansing. I also like to use essential oils to bring more beauty enhancing and healing qualities to the oils I use.
I find rosewater beautiful for toning and as a hydrating pick-me-up face mist during the day. I’m also passionate about face massage, acupressure and Gua Sha to promote a radiant complexion by increasing circulation and releasing tension from the face which can otherwise cause deep set lines to form.
3. Simple things you can grow at home
Greens! I love having a tub of greens growing in my yard. I feel they are so much more nutritious when eaten straight from the ground as they are still full of that vital life force (or Prana) which I imagine may start to decrease the longer they are out of the soil. I find things like rocket and salad greens fairly easy to grow.
4. On Fast Fashion and Conscious Consumerism
I am passionate about conscious consumerism and I like to buy quality, well made products over items that may have a much smaller price tag. I will happily buy one more expensive, well made dress versus five cheaply made dresses. I know it will last me years and won’t be contributing to fast fashion landfill.
I don’t have a huge wardrobe, but the pieces I own have been carefully chosen and are made from high quality and natural fibres. They last and feel beautiful to wear as opposed to clothes made from petroleum derived materials such as polyester. Some of my favourite places to shop are Ghostwood Emporium, Eco Intimates and Hemp Temple.
5. Tell us more about Deer Daisy and how you approach sustainability in your business
I take a ‘less is more’ approach to design, drawing inspiration from nature and the simple things in life. This flows through into the simplistic and earthy nature of the Deer Daisy designs.
The driving motive at Deer Daisy is to create beautiful stationery that will not cost the planet. All Deer Daisy stationery is printed (by @wordswithheart) on 100% recycled and Australian made materials, using vegetable based inks and green electricity.
I also choose to support Rainforest Rescue in their amazing work to regenerate some of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world.
Sophie Duncan has been a member of the Bliss Baby Yoga team since 2012. She is the creative genius behind the beautiful illustrations in Ana Davis’s book, Moving with the Moon – Yoga, Movement and Meditation for Every Phase of Your Menstrual Cycle and Beyond. Sophie runs her own business, Deer Daisy, specialising in environmentally conscious greeting cards. Sophie’s other passions in life include sustainable lifestyle, enjoying long relaxing baths (especially outdoors), natural beauty and spending time with her baby boy and loved ones.
Sophie’s illustrations are also included in our Online Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Yoga for Fertility teacher training manuals, providing clear guidance for appropriate postures, including how to support your practice with various props, making these documents really valuable resources for ongoing support and learning.
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