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The Body Talks Edit  ·  Volume 5  ·  Kiseau Yoga  ·  Conscious Consumption  ·  Natural Textiles  ·  Climate & Justice Jess is the founder of Interwoven, a donation-based yoga and meditation brand designed to pop up in and around Boston. She is also a writer and poet whose work centres around human relationships with nature, culture, and collective healing. You can find her work published in her Substack, The Reclamation Report — Writings to Walk Us Back Home. Jess believes the greatest work she will do while on this planet is to translate how humans, and what humans love, be it yoga, fashion, art, sports, are all connected and rooted in the same core beliefs. Her approach to building her movement business is no different from her approach to any artform she might engage with in the fight for climate resilience and justice. In Volume 5 of The Body Talks Edit, Jess takes the conversation beyond what we eat or what we apply to our skin — to what we wear when we move, and what it means when movement itself has been shaped by an industry that profits from making women smaller. "Choosing natural textiles like linen, hemp and bamboo is activism in support of human nature." — Jess Willis Q. When did you first start thinking about clothing as part of low-tox or natural living? The mindset shift was gradual, but the biggest wake up call I had was between September 2023 and January 2024. During this time, I was experiencing what I could only conceptualize as riding the bumpiest hormonal rollercoaster of my life. Intense depressive episodes and mood swings in the days leading up to my period each month. From the foundation of what I already considered a healthy lifestyle, I began refining bits and pieces of my life to better support my hormones, prioritizing whole foods, regulating my nervous system, working with my cycle rather than against. And to be honest, this is still very much a work in progress and by no means perfect! As for my relationship to synthetic versus natural clothing, it wasn't until brands like Kiseau and others championing natural textiles came into my view that I began to connect a few more dots. If anything, it is a lesson in how the natural living lifestyle is a journey. It is important to be open minded to other ways of doing things and take a pause before making a purchase. Surround yourself with people supporting a similar mission. Release yourself from the expectation to have it all figured out, and just keep going. ✺   ✺   ✺ Q. Do you feel a difference between wearing tight-fitting, tummy-tucking clothing and flowy outfits? The potentially negative harmful effects of compressive movement attire didn't come into my conscious awareness until I began my meditation practice in 2023. When my teacher directed me to soften my belly, and I couldn't, that was information. Somewhere along the way, women were taught to believe that the body was something to compress, to contour, to shape, and to hold into place. Early yoga attire consisted of loose-fitting shapes made from natural textiles like cotton and linen. Clothing was designed to flow with the body and not against it. Today, we are living in the wake of the invention of stretchy, moisture-wicking, synthetic fabrics like polyester, lycra, spandex, and nylon. Form-fitting yoga clothing began emerging in the late 1970s and 1980s, influenced heavily by the aerobics craze. Then the emergence of synthetic athletic wear brand Lululemon in 1998 heavily influenced the from studio to street athleisure trend. For the record, I myself love an outfit as a means to celebrate the shape of my body, without restricting my comfort or my breath. What I do view as wrong is how we are sold a narrative around how we are meant to look as we move throughout the world rather than how we might feel. Choosing natural textiles like linen, hemp and bamboo as well as GOTS Certified Organic Cotton and SeaCell™ Lyocell used in Kiseau products is activism in support of human nature. Wearing loose-fitting, free-flowing clothing when the fitness industry is consistently pushing women to become smaller, even better. ✺   ✺   ✺ Q. What filters or values guide your clothing purchases? With the caveat that I am ever-evolving my relationship to conscious consumption, a question I like to filter every purchase through is: Did this product harm an animal, human, or nature? If the answer is yes, I don't buy it. If the answer is no, I might introduce a question like what sort of feeling does this piece of clothing evoke for me? If the answer is "I don't know", I move on until I have a better understanding of the product, or brand, and can make a conscious decision. All that to say, Jane Goodall said it better than I ever could. A quote of hers that I try my very best to live by daily is: "Everyday you live, you make some impact on the planet, and you have a choice as to what sort of impact you want to make." If I'm ever confused about the world around me, and my role within it, her words always seem to soothe. ✺   ✺   ✺ Q. How do you balance wanting beautiful pieces with living more intentionally? It's less about a balance, and more about a reframe. Let's take a walk back in time to when we learned to associate beautiful with new or expensive. In our modern world, a new sweater is considered better than a second-hand sweater. Yet, an old painting is considered to be more valuable than a new one. Reframing our relationship with old versus new as well as the relationship between for me right now versus for future generations later, is the antidote to unconscious consumption and quick dopamine. ✺   ✺   ✺ Q. Why do you think so many women feel disconnected from what their body is asking for? Oh goodness, how much time do we have? Women have been fed a steady diet of synthetic beauty and clothing products masquerading as health and wellness. Clothing is nothing if not a celebration of culture, personal style, earth's resources, and human creators whose intention stretches well beyond the financial bottom line. As long as women are distracted and preoccupied with how they should look in the material world, rather than the extension of nature that they are, they are unable to care for their community. As long as they are unable to care for their community, systems of oppression and hate are free to reign. A woman who is awake to the world is a force to be reckoned with. It's not woo woo, it's intuition. Anyone who tells a woman otherwise does not have their best interest at heart. Why What You Wear Is Never Just What You Wear Jess has a gift for drawing the threads together between the personal and the political, between the body and the planet, between what we feel and what we've been told to feel instead. Her conversation is a reminder that the wellness conversation, when done honestly, cannot stop at the individual. It has to reach the systems that shaped us. When Jess talks about choosing natural textiles as activism, she isn't being dramatic. She's pointing to something real: that every time a woman pauses before a purchase and asks "did this harm anyone?"  she is exercising a kind of power the market depends on her not having. And Jess's observation about tummy-tucking clothing lingers long after you read it. That the body has adapted, has learned to stay braced, held in, compressed until even the simple instruction to soften becomes difficult. That is not a body problem. That is a cultural one. And the solution, as Jess would say, is not perfection. It's the direction of travel. Just keep going.   Common Questions About Natural Textiles & Conscious Clothing Can tight or compressive clothing affect your hormones? Emerging research suggests that compressive clothing, particularly tight-fitting synthetic athleisure, can restrict the body's natural breath patterns and belly softness, which may affect nervous system regulation and hormonal balance over time. The inability to physically soften the abdomen in a relaxed state can signal chronic tension the body has quietly normalized. What are the benefits of wearing natural textiles like linen, hemp, and bamboo? Natural textiles like linen, hemp, bamboo, and GOTS-certified organic cotton are breathable, free from synthetic chemical treatments, and do not shed microplastics. They allow the body to move naturally without compression and reduce overall toxic load. SeaCell™ Lyocell also offers skin-soothing properties from seaweed-derived fibres. How do you shop more consciously for clothing? As Jess Willis shares, a useful filter before any purchase is to ask: "Did this product harm an animal, human, or nature?" Look for natural fibre certifications like GOTS and OEKO-TEX. Favour slow fashion, second-hand, and brands with transparent sourcing over fast fashion and trend cycles. What is GOTS certified organic cotton? GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard, the world's leading certification for organic fibre textiles. It covers the entire supply chain from harvesting through manufacturing and labelling, ensuring products are free from harmful synthetic chemicals and produced under fair working conditions. What is SeaCell Lyocell fabric? SeaCell™ Lyocell is an innovative fabric made from sustainably harvested seaweed and wood pulp. The seaweed is incorporated directly into the fibre during production, giving it natural skin-soothing and antioxidant properties. It is biodegradable, breathable, and considered one of the most skin-friendly fabrics available, used in Kiseau's underwear and apparel. Natural Textiles Conscious Consumption Compressive Clothing Hormonal Health GOTS Organic Cotton SeaCell Lyocell Yoga & Movement Climate & Fashion Jess Willis The Body Talks Edit The Body Talks Edit is a Kiseau series featuring real stories from real women about their health and wellness journeys. Content is for informational and community purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health concerns.

Through Emily's work, she has developed a profound appreciation for the ways our bodies communicate and the subtle cues they give us, which naturally led her to a passion for low-toxic living and intentional, organic fabrics, especially underwear. Emily believes that what touches the skin is more than clothing; it is a form of care, a daily ritual that can support comfort, vitality, and nervous system harmony.

How can you feel connected to something you don't know much about? And that's why my life has been devoted to understanding, respecting, and cherishing my femininity. If no one else is going to give us the information, then we seek it and we do it for ourselves, not for men.

The Body Talks Edit  ·  Volume 1  ·  Kiseau Hypothyroidism  ·  Self-Advocacy  ·  Women's Wellness Your body is always talking. Sometimes it whispers — a little fatigue here, a mood shift there. And sometimes, it speaks all at once, loudly and undeniably, the way Tammy's did: weight gain, exhaustion, irritability, and that hollow feeling of just not being yourself, all arriving within a single month. Hypothyroidism affects an estimated 1 in 8 women over the course of their lifetime, yet so many receive a diagnosis with little more than a prescription and a "you'll be on this forever." No explanation of why they feel the way they do. No roadmap for what comes next. No acknowledgment of how completely thyroid dysfunction can upend a woman's sense of self. Tammy's story is the first installment of The Body Talks Edit — a Kiseau series dedicated to real women sharing real health experiences, unfiltered. Her journey through diagnosis, frustration, and eventually, self-compassion, is one that will resonate with far too many. We hope it reminds you that you are not alone, and that your questions — every single one of them — deserve answers. "YOU are your only and best advocate. You have to take care of yourself to be your best self." — Tammy Q. What was the moment you first realized something felt 'off' in your body, and how did that change the way you approached your health? Rapid weight gain, exhaustion, feeling "blah," irritability, anger, all happening all at once, all within a month. This is when I knew something was wrong. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, I made an appointment with my Dr. who ran blood tests, he discovered that I had hypothyroidism, he prescribed medication BUT didn't explain ANYTHING at all. He didn't tell me that any of my symptoms were normal or not. He didn't tell me how or what I could do to improve them, he just gave meds and basically said that I'll have it the rest of my life and that I'll be on meds the rest of my life....how daunting. ✺   ✺   ✺ Q. If another woman was going through the same thing right now, what would you want her to know? I would tell them to absolutely listen to their bodies and their inner voice. Do not be afraid to ask the questions you have, and to be absolutely sure you stand up for yourself. YOU are your only and best advocate. You have to take care of yourself to be your best self. Do not let Dr.'s or medical professionals disregard your questions or you in general. You deserve answers and honestly to feel better. ✺   ✺   ✺ Q. How has this experience changed the way you care for your body or listen to your intuition? It's been a long road, but I am easier with myself now. I give myself grace now, knowing that it isn't just some mystery illness or illusion. Hypothyroidism affects everything within your body, and at times, it is so disappointing what you are dealing with, but with proper knowledge and medication, you can start feeling better and getting back to your "normal" self. What Tammy's Story Teaches Us Thyroid conditions are often called "invisible illnesses" — the symptoms are very real, but they can be dismissed, minimized, or chalked up to stress or aging, especially in women. What Tammy's experience highlights is a gap that exists far too frequently in women's healthcare: the space between a diagnosis and genuine understanding. Being handed a prescription is not the same as being cared for. And a lifelong condition deserves more than a five-minute conversation. If Tammy's story resonates with you, know that your instinct to ask more questions, to seek more clarity, and to advocate for your own wellbeing is not only valid — it is necessary. The body talks. The work is learning to listen, and finding the courage to make sure others listen too. This is what The Body Talks Edit is about. Real stories. Real women. No filters. Common Questions About Hypothyroidism What are the early signs of hypothyroidism in women? Early signs can include rapid or unexplained weight gain, persistent exhaustion, irritability, brain fog, and a general feeling of being "off." These symptoms can appear suddenly and simultaneously. If several of these feel familiar, request a thyroid blood panel from your doctor. What should I do if I suspect I have hypothyroidism? Make an appointment with your doctor and ask specifically for a thyroid function test (TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 levels). Trust your instincts, bring a list of your symptoms, and advocate for a thorough explanation of your results and what they mean for your daily life. Can you feel like yourself again with hypothyroidism? Yes. With the right medication, lifestyle adjustments, and self-compassion, many women return to feeling like themselves. It's a journey, not a switch — but giving yourself grace throughout the process makes a meaningful difference. Is hypothyroidism a lifelong condition? For most people, hypothyroidism is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management, typically with daily medication. However, with proper care, many people live full, vibrant lives. Being informed and proactive is one of the most powerful tools you have. Hypothyroidism Thyroid Health Women's Wellness Self-Advocacy The Body Talks Edit Chronic Illness Patient Stories The Body Talks Edit is a Kiseau series featuring real stories from real women about their health journeys. Content is for informational and community purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health concerns.

We’ve learned to care deeply about what goes into our bodies. But what about what stays pressed against us all day? Underwear isn’t neutral. It shapes the environment of our most sensitive skin. From breathability to chemical exposure, science is inviting us to rethink the fabrics we wear closest to our bodies; and how small, intentional choices can support long-term wellbeing.

The Best Underwear for Women with Recurring UTIs & Irritations If you experience recurring UTIs, irritations, or discomfort, the fabric you wear closest to your skin plays a bigger role than you may realize. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, lycra and spandex trap heat and moisture, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. They also reduce airflow and increase irritation around sensitive areas, especially the urethra and vulva. Switching to breathable, natural, non-toxic underwear, like Kiseau is one small (but powerful) step toward lasting comfort and prevention. 1. Breathable, Natural Fabrics Choose organic cotton or other clean, natural fibers that allow airflow and absorb moisture. Breathability helps keep your intimate area balanced. 2. Moisture-Wicking Design Opt for underwear that naturally wicks away sweat or discharge. 3. Minimal Synthetics & Simple Construction Avoid undies that claim to have cotton linings but predominantly use nylon or spandex. It still traps heat because the outer shell is made of synthetics. 4. Comfortable, Non-Restrictive Fit Skip tight waistbands or shapewear that compresses your lower abdomen. Gentle, flexible fits allow airflow and reduce friction. 5. Toxin-Free Materials Many fabrics are treated with PFAS (“forever chemicals”), synthetic dyes, or finishing agents that can irritate skin and disrupt hormones. Look for undies that are free of these hidden toxins. 🌊 How Kiseau Undies Support Your Intimate Wellbeing Kiseau was created to redefine the most intimate layer of clothing, with your health and the earth at the core of it all. Certified Organic Cotton (GOTS): Free from pesticides, insecticides, and harmful residues found in conventional cotton. Our organic cotton is always non-GMO. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Safe Dyes: Our dyes meet strict global safety standards, so your skin stays free from chemical exposure to azo dyes, formaldehyde, bleaches and heavy metals. Infused with Icelandic Seaweed: We use SeaCell in Kiseau undies, rich in skin-soothing nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids that help nourish and protect your skin barrier. Free of PFAS (forever chemicals): Because your underwear shouldn’t contain the same materials as Teflon. 🚫 Fabrics to Avoid If You Experience Infections Polyester – Traps heat and moisture. Nylon – Non-breathable and can cause irritation. Spandex/Elastane/ Lycra – Often blended with synthetics, increasing trapped heat. These fabrics block airflow and create the warmth and dampness that bacteria love, which can contribute to recurring UTIs and irritation. 🌸 Pro Tips for UTI Prevention & Intimate Health Change often: Always switch to clean underwear after workouts or sweating. Sleep commando: Let your body breathe overnight. Skip underwear at bedtime if possible. Use gentle laundry care: Avoid scented detergents and fabric softeners; choose fragrance-free, natural options. After intimacy: Always pee after sex to flush out bacteria. Skip harsh soaps: Your vulva is self-cleaning, use only mild, unscented cleansers. Eat for balance: Focus on whole, cooling foods; avoid excess sugar and processed snacks. Manage stress: Chronic stress affects your immune and hormonal balance. Take time for self-care, yoga, or time in nature. Hydrate & rest: Water supports your body’s natural cleansing processes. Underwear alone can’t cure a UTI, but it can help create the right conditions for healing and prevention. Choosing breathable, toxin-free fabrics and comfortable fits allows your body to restore its natural balance. Discover Kiseau’s seaweed-infused, organic underwear, consciously designed to let your body breathe and thrive.

What Fabrics Are Bad for Vaginal Health? When we think about intimate wellness, we often focus on skincare, diet, or supplements, but rarely on what’s quietly touching our most delicate skin all day long. The truth is, the fabric your underwear is made of can directly impact your vaginal health. So, what fabrics should you avoid if you want to protect your intimate health? Let’s dive in! 🚫 1. Polyester: Plastic in Disguise Why it’s bad: Polyester is a petroleum-derived plastic fiber, the same polymer (PET) used to make water bottles. It blocks airflow, traps sweat, and holds heat and bacteria close to your skin. The health concern: Polyester isn’t just uncomfortable. It can contain antimony trioxide, a manufacturing catalyst classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Traces can leach out with heat and friction and be absorbed through the skin, especially in the vulva area, which is highly permeable. Many polyester fabrics are also treated with PFAS (“forever chemicals”) to make them moisture-wicking, wrinkle-free, or odor-resistant. PFAS are linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, immune suppression, and certain cancers. In short: polyester may feel “soft,” but it behaves more like plastic wrap than fabric. 🚫 2. Nylon: The Synthetic That Suffocates Why it’s bad: Nylon may feel silky, but it’s non-breathable and often coated with chemicals to improve stretch or water resistance. These finishes can irritate sensitive skin and disrupt your natural pH. Nylon is also another petroleum-based fabric that can shed microplastics, contributing to irritation, allergic reactions, and even environmental contamination. 🚫 3. Spandex & Elastane: Stretch That Suffocates Why it’s bad: While spandex (also known as elastane or Lycra) gives clothing that familiar stretch, it’s a synthetic polymer that holds heat and moisture. Most spandex fabrics contain microplastics and PFAS coatings, both linked to hormone and endocrine disruption. These chemicals don’t wash out and can sit against your skin for hours, especially in tight clothing or shapewear. The result is restricted circulation, excess heat, and recurring irritation in sensitive areas. 4. Synthetic Blends: The “Almost Organic” Trap Many underwear brands advertise “organic cotton,” but if only the liner (gusset) is cotton and the rest of the garment is nylon or spandex, it’s not breathable. Even if the inner lining is natural, the synthetic outer fabric traps moisture and heat, negating the benefit. For true comfort and vaginal health, “a cotton liner” isn’t enough. 5. What Else Are These Fabrics Used In (and Why That Matters) Here’s what most people don’t realize: The same polyester and nylon fibers used in fast fashion and underwear are also found in industrial and plastic-heavy products designed for durability, and insulation. 🏭 These Fabrics Are Also Used In: Carpets, couches, and upholstery Tents, parachutes and outdoor gear Car seat covers, airbags, and seatbelts Ropes, sails, and industrial safety nets Yoga mats and microfiber cleaning cloths Fast-fashion activewear and swimwear Plastic bottles and packaging (made from PET — the same material as polyester) Now imagine that same plastic material pressed against the most absorbent part of your body all day. If it’s strong enough to upholster a car seat, it shouldn’t be the same material sitting against your skin. Fabrics That Support Vaginal Health ✅ Organic Cotton Soft, breathable, and naturally soothing. Organic cotton allows airflow and moisture balance. Look for GOTS-certified cotton to ensure it’s grown without pesticides or toxic residues. ✅ Seaweed-Infused Fabrics (SeaCell) Seaweed is naturally rich in minerals, antioxidants, and soothing properties that support your skin’s barrier and microbiome. Blended with Eucalyptus tree pulp, it creates a blend that’s antibacterial, breathable, and nurturing for your most intimate skin.

UTIs aren’t random. They’re your body’s way of saying something’s off.From hydration and hygiene to the fabrics you wear, small daily habits can make a big difference in keeping your body balanced. In this guide, we share simple, holistic lifestyle shifts that help support urinary health naturally, from swapping toilet paper for bidets, letting your body breathe in natural fibers (like our seaweed-infused undies), and more.  Because healing your intimate health isn’t just about treatment when things go south. It’s about awareness, prevention, and self care no matter what.