[Physical]

As you will know from having checked out our versatile range of activewear, we use recycled charcoal bamboo as the main component of our fabric. The use of charcoal bamboo means that our clothes are lightweight, extremely breathable, water repellent and also anti-odour.

We are certainly not the first to realise the impressive potential that bamboo has, and it can be observed in use around the globe for a wide variety of purposes.

Today we want to take a look at the different ways that bamboo is being used throughout the world, and in doing so, honour this impressive plant!

Medicine

In Chinese medicine*, some components of the bamboo plant are used to help treat diseases that afflict the kidneys. There are also reports of bamboo leaves being used to help treat certain cancers and venereal diseases.

Due to its antibacterial properties, bamboo is useful for treating ulcers and wounds. Furthermore, it can also help to settle the stomach when indigestion or other digestive complaints are being experienced.

Food

Bamboo shoots are widely used in Asian cuisine. They are a great source of dietary fibre*, as well as being low in fat and low in calories. There are certain known health benefits of eating bamboo shoots regularly, such as better digestion. It has also been suggested that the powerful antioxidant properties of bamboo shoots could help to protect against cancer.

The culinary uses of bamboo are particularly appreciated in Japan where the skin is used as a natural food preservative. This is possible because of the ability of bamboo to prevent the growth of bacteria. Because of its high potassium content, eating bamboo is also useful for keeping blood pressure at an optimum level.

Humans are not the only ones enjoying the delights and benefits of bamboo as food. The shoots and leaves are a staple for some animals too – such as elephants and pandas!

Roads and Bridges

In India, bamboo is being utilised to reinforce existing roads and in China bamboo has been used to build entire bridges. It is reported that vehicles up to 16 tons in weight can drive safely across these bridges!*

Houses

More than a billion people already live in houses made of bamboo! UNESCO state that 1000 houses can be made from 70 hectares of bamboo – a massively lower amount than if conventional timber was to be used to make the same number of houses.

During the construction of other buildings, bamboo can also be used to make scaffolding. It is often preferred in the place of metal scaffolding because it is cheaper and easier to obtain.

Furniture

Whether your house is made from bamboo or not, there is nothing stopping you kitting it out with some beautiful bamboo furniture.

Around the globe you can find wonderfully crafted pieces of furniture for every room in your house. Bamboo furniture is not only eco-friendly, but is also very durable and hardy too!

You can also find rugs made of bamboo that will give be a natural and stylish addition to your home. Also, even the utensils and other items in your kitchen can be made from this impressive material, from your cups and your plates to your forks, spoons and more!

Choose Bamboo!

As you can now see, there are plentiful uses for bamboo, and certainly even more than we have listed here!

Choosing to buy bamboo products, whether it be furniture, clothing or anything else is an environmentally conscious choice! Bamboo takes up less space and requires less resources and labour to cultivate than many traditional materials. You can click here to read more about alternative sustainable fabrics!

[Spiritual]

Your chakras are the seven points throughout your body where spiritual and physical energy are channelled. Each of your chakras has individual attributes, and is connected to unique parts of your existence.

We are not able to see or touch any of the seven chakras, but we can sense them, we can feel them, and we can work to enhance how well our energy flows through these points.

Aligning your chakras is important because they can either become too closed up or too open – for any number of reasons! Read on to discover how you can align your chakras, and in doing so boost your happiness and wellbeing!

The Root Chakra

The root chakra can be found at the base of the spine. When energy is flowing through this chakra properly you will feel grounded and connected to the universe.

Practicing grounding yoga poses, such as Bridge Pose, Warrior Pose and Standing Forward Bend Pose, can help to align the root chakra. You can also make a conscious effort to wear red coloured clothing in order to further bring balance to the root chakra.

The Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra is just below the belly button. When energy flows through the sacral chakra in an optimum way you will have greater control over your feelings, have a better understanding of your emotions, and be more connected to your sexuality.

Engaging in hip opening yoga poses, such as Bound Angle Pose, Cow Face Pose and Eagle Pose, can help to align the sacral chakra. Wearing orange coloured garments can also help when it comes to aligning this chakra.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

Found just above the belly button, the solar plexus chakra impacts your anxieties, your fears and your personal strength. If the flow of energy is inhibited then you may feel as though you are drained of these things.

Heat building yoga poses, such as Sun Salutation, Boat Pose and Downward Facing Dog, are very useful for aligning the solar plexus chakra. Donning yellow coloured clothing can also help!

The Heart Chakra

The heart chakra is in the chest. When this chakra is aligned as it should be you will have a genuine sense of compassion for those around you. Also, you will be able to give and receive love without limitations.

Yoga poses that encourage the chest to open are ideal for helping to align the heart chakra. You may try Cobra Pose, Camel Pose and Fish Pose to get you started! Green is the colour of choice for this chakra.

The Throat Chakra

This chakra is of course in the throat. When it is completely in alignment you will be able to communicate clearly and express yourself with clarity and ease. You may notice that some people in your life are unable to voice their opinions or make their feelings known, whereas others may find it difficult not to over-share every last thought. You can probably guess which of these types of people have a blocked throat chakra and whose chakra has become too open!

Certain yoga poses are incredibly useful for opening up the throat, and also for strengthening the muscles in the connected areas. Incorporate Lion’s Pose, Plow Pose and Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose to feel these benefits and to align this chakra. Furthermore, light blue coloured clothing can help to encourage energy to flow through this chakra in a desirable way.

The Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra can be found in the middle of your forehead, and when it is functioning as it should, your intuition is at its peek.

Restorative yoga poses are the best to utilise when you are trying to enhance the flow of energy through your third eye chakra. Child’s Pose, for example, is a very good choice and is perfect for beginners to yoga. You may also try Adept’s Pose and Savasana. You will likely find that energy flows more freely through your third eye chakra when you wear dark blue clothing.

The Crown Chakra

The crown chakra sits upon the top of the head. If you are to be able to tap into higher states of consciousness, such as through meditation, then it is important that this chakra is balanced well. When the crown chakra is in alignment your awareness will be enhanced and you will be better able to be present in each moment.

Balancing poses are best for aligning this chakra. Try adding Tree Pose, Eagle Pose and Angled Crescent Lunge to your regular practice. Also, including dark purple and white in your clothing colour scheme can help.

For more information on how you can balance your chakras with coloured clothing, click here to check out our previous blog post!

[Spiritual]

Fashion is an ever-evolving concept that truly has no boundaries when it comes to creativity and imagination. There is no end to how a designer can utilise their mind to create the gorgeous garments that shoppers buy and wear with love.

Today we would like to take a moment to honour certain fashion trends from around the globe that have influenced and inspired worldwide clothing choices.

The Sari

The sari is a beautifully simple garment from India. It is a single piece of fabric that will usually measure between four and nine meters in length. It is wrapped around the body, and can be done so in many different ways.

The sari is regarded as a symbol of grace in Indian culture, and the word ‘sari’ comes from the Sanskrit word for ‘strip of cloth’.

One of our favourite facts about the sari is that it is a garment that is adopted by a huge range of people in India. From subtle cotton saris that are worn in the most rural villages of the country, to luxurious garments made of indulgent fabrics that can be seen on the catwalks during Indian Fashion Week and in everyday high society.

The Kimono

The kimono is a traditional garment of Japanese origin. It is a full length robe that is considered to be formal attire, and is most notably worn by women during festivals or very formal occasions. The robe itself is secured in place with the use of a sash, known as an obi. The word ‘kimono’ simply means ‘a thing to wear’.

When wearing the kimono, a person will also usually put on traditional footwear to match, with split toe socks. Although it is most commonly worn by women for formal occasions, some of the older generation – both men and women – can still be seen to wear the kimono for everyday purposes today. This is something that can certainly be expected to decline as the prominence of western fashion grows in the east.

The Kilt

The kilt is one of the most symbolic parts of Scottish culture, and dates back as far as the 16th century. The word ‘kilt’ is arguably of Scandinavian origin, and means to tuck clothes around the body.

When it first emerged, the kilt was a full length garment with an upper portion that would be draped over the shoulder. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the way the kilt was worn evolved, until the smaller version that is still seen today came into use.

This popular piece of clothing was even adopted by the Scottish military up until the late 1900’s. Soldiers wearing the kit in combat during the First World War led to the nickname, “Ladies From Hell’, being given by German troops who encountered these soldiers in the trenches!

Today the kilt is not seen so often on the streets, but can be observed during Scottish traditions, such as the Highland Games.

Conical Hats

The conical hats of Asia are worn throughout the continent, but today are most prominently used in Vietnam. Its primary purpose is to protect the wearer from the sun and the rain, and it is usually made of straw.

Conical hats are worn by many different types of people. For example, farmers will wear these hats whilst they tend to their fields, certain soldiers will wear them whilst on duty, and they are also worn during festivities and celebrations. However, conical hats are also often worn by people who are simply going about their daily business!

[Creative]

Happiness is something that we all want to invite into our lives in abundance whenever possible! However, we often go about doing so in different ways. With each individual step on our journey to happiness, we may discover new and exciting things that help us to reach this goal. We meet new people, embrace new pursuits, and learn more about ourselves and what we are capable of. Some of these things may have a permanent influence on how happy we are, whereas some may turn out to not be as positive.

One indisputable way to create a mindset that enables happiness to thrive is by regularly engaging in exercise.

Some of the most obvious benefits of regular exercise are weight loss, weight maintenance and muscle building. However, there are also many advantages to be enjoyed by both the body and mind in other ways. When you exercise frequently, you will notice that your stress levels are lower, that you are less prone to anxiety and that your mood is better and more consistent. And, all of these things help to create genuine happiness!

Let’s take a look at why this is!

A Dose of Dopamine

When you are engaging in some kind of moderate intensity physical activity, you will stimulate dopamine production in your brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is necessary for feelings of happiness and pleasure.

Research* has suggested that our dopamine stores naturally become depleted as we grow older. Therefore, finding ways to continuously encourage the brain to make more dopamine as we age is essential if we are to continue being happy!

Happy Hormones

Getting our stress levels down is something that we can all surely benefit from. The negative effects of leading a stressful life are serious! Stress can make us ill, make us sad, make us irritable – all of which can lead us to treat those we interact with in a different way than we would like to. To put it simply, stress damages our mood and it keeps us from becoming the happiest that we can be!

When you exercise you are actually instigating small amounts of stress to occur within the body as your heart rate rises. This increase in your heart rate causes a change in the levels of hormones that are present, and can therefore have a knock-on effect on your mood.

When you regularly subject your body to small bursts of stress, it becomes much better able to cope with the larger stresses that are encountered in your day to day.

It has been suggested that aerobic exercise is the best way to enjoy the stress-busting benefits of working out, and you can try swimming, running or cycling to get started!

Fuel Your Focus

It is difficult to dedicate much time at all to being happy when your mind is cluttered with thoughts, feelings, worries and anxieties! If you have a busy schedule, or have pressures placed upon you for any reason, then happiness can often take a back seat to getting everything done.

Exercise has the potential to help you clear your mind of all of these stresses, and encourage you to focus more on what is actually important.

How Much Exercise?

When it comes to how much exercise we should be engaging in, there is good news for those who are short on time! One study* suggests that even engaging in a short 20 minute burst of exercise can enhance your mood for the following 12 hours. If this is true, then starting your day with something as simple as a 20 minute run could have a huge impact on how positive the rest of your day is.

At PAMA London we know first hand how fantastic exercise is for health and happiness. With our extensive range of activewear we wish to encourage everyone to get into fitness in a comfortable, stylish and sustainable way. Click here now to check out what’s on sale!

[Physical]

With over seven billion people currently living on our precious planet, the impact of the human population on the earth’s resources is hard to avoid! Today we are going to explore the human impact on the planet, and how we can all work to reduce the problems caused by our presence! Doing so is essential if we are to continue living here!

Population

The population of our planet continues to increase at an alarming rate. The current estimate of over seven billion people is a dramatic increase from the approximate one billion people that inhabited the planet just 200 years ago*.

As the amount of people increases, so too does the demand on our natural resources increase. We need to produce more food, more energy, more housing – and all of these things require additional resources, and therefore place an additional strain upon the planet.

Farming

Humans have been farming on this planet for more than 10,000 years! Although this is obviously necessary in order to cultivate food, this also involves transforming landscapes and disrupting natural areas. For example, forests are completely destroyed in order to create land that is suitable for planting crops or raising animals for food.

Farming at the massive scale in which we do poses a problem because of the damage caused to the land, especially when deforestation is taking place. A huge amount of water is also required for farming which can lead to water shortages in other areas.

Industrial Development

Since the age of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700’s, the prominence of factory manufacturing processes has boomed. The problem with the majority of factories is that they use excessive amounts of natural resources and require massive amounts of energy to run effectively.

The waste that is created by these factories around the world contributes massively to global warming, as well as the pollution of our air and water.

Pollution

Pollution is one of the biggest issues when it comes to how humans are causing ongoing damage to the planet. The environment is being harmed by countless chemicals and other substances.

The main causes of pollution that we can identify are the aforementioned waste from industrial sources, as well as sewage and the use of pesticides on the crops that we grow. Our use of automobiles also massively contributes to pollution.

It has been suggested that there could be as many as two billion cars on the roads by 2035*! Automobiles are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to air pollution, emitting dangerous levels of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and other chemicals.

It is true that certain types of pollution can be tackled and the effects therefore relieved to some degree. However, other types of pollution can remain toxic for many thousands of years, thereby having a seriously detrimental impact on the planet and its inhabitants.

What Can We Do?!

In order to lower the human impact on the planet, to combat pollution and to better prepare the earth for some of the unavoidable problems caused by over-population, we all have to make conscientious decisions when it comes to affecting the planet.

At PAMA London we advocate making ethical choices when it comes to your clothing and fashion choices, such as with the use of charcoal bamboo in our clothing.

In addition to making sustainable choices when it comes to your clothing, there are other ways that you can lower or limit your carbon footprint. You can try to use transportation less by walking more, always recycle your rubbish and try to use less energy in your home.