yogue

"it does not mean that if you do yoga you're de facto eco conscious."
a conversation with Selena Stirlen of Stirlen Chi


I am excited to announce a few changes here at yoguestyle. Each week, I am going to post up an interview with a yogi who is creating waves in the green world in Vancouver and beyond.

First up is an interview with the lovely Selena Stirlen of Stirlen Chi. Based in Chicago, Selena has designed a line of natural yoga-mat and home cleaning products. Selena chats with us about the relationship between yoga and sustainability and gives yoguestyle the scoop on Stirlen Chi's chi.


You are a long time yoga practitioner, what's your take on the relationship between yoga and the eco/ sustainability movement?
While I believe a lot of yogis are leaders in the eco/sustainability movement, it does not mean that if you do yoga you're de facto eco conscious. I do believe that practicing yoga helps to build your awareness of everything around you and eventually it will influence other areas of your life that maybe you weren't initially aware of and ultimately influence your entire decision making process.

What inspires you?
I have an intense curiosity about everything it seems. There will never be enough time to meet, explore, read everything that I'm interested in.

What prompted you to start eco-cleaning products?
I was originally inspired to start the Stirlen Chi Yoga Cleanser line after returning from travels in which I had been practicing yoga daily on the same mat and I couldn't find an all natural product to clean my mat. I didn't want to use a product that would leave a slippery film (of chemicals) on the mat.

What makes stirlen chi different from all the eco-cleaning products out there?
1. Made in small batches and per order, our product is always fresh.
2. We use only earth friendly ingredients, nothing that is synthetic. All our cleansers are scented with essential oils, the only truly natural way of scenting products. Essential oils also have inherent and natural cleaning power thus strengthening our products effectiveness.
3. The packaging is recyclable. The Yoga and Fitness Cleanser packaging is made from PVC plastic which is recyclable. The Refreshers (wipes) packaging HDPE and is also recyclable and the wipes are biodegradable. I choose to include 20 wipes together instead of offering individually wrapped wipes which saves on packaging.

With the launch of the recent Stirlen Home line, we offer 2oz condensed cleaning products that need be added to a 16 oz spray bottle and filled with water. Two ounce condensed cleaning refills saves on overall packaging waste and cost. Since only condensed versions of the Stirlen Home products are offered, shipping costs are saved because water isn't being transported.

Have you always been an eco-nut?
My parents are both teachers so I grew up in a household where my mom washed out ziploc baggies, saved pop can tabs and recycled pop cans. While I've been practicing yoga for nearly ten years, it wasn't until I quit my corporate job five years ago and took seven months to travel around the world that I really opened my eyes to needing to doing my part to contribute to a cleaner world.

Where can we find your "goods"?
Online at StirlenChi.com

Thanks Selena! Namaste, yoguestyle.