Self-Care, Empowerment, and Celebrating Culture
You’re invited to Adorn With Love in Oakland! This intimate gathering combines yoga therapy - a mix of movement, breathing, meditation, journaling and conversation - with an exploration of waist beads and how they can be a tool for mindfulness and self-acceptance. Adorn your body and spirit with Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe, Grenadian yoga therapist, doula & artist and Ayodele Kinchen Oakland artist and owner of Duafe Designs - Waist Beads by Ayodele.
Join us Friday, July 14th, 2023, from 12pm to 2:30pm at Duafe Designs, 326 15th Street, Oakland, CA. $75.00 including two waist beads of your choice!
With over 3 decades of collective experience, you are in for a deeply insightful session. Come explore yoga and mindfulness practices in an accessible and playful way with Malaika. And discover the rich history and symbolism behind waist beads, as Ayodele shares insights and stories that span generations. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to get your new waist beads professionally put on.
Testimonials
This was fulfilling, engaging and relaxing and very rewarding. It brought a sense of togetherness and at the same time an awareness of me as an individual. Malaika's was great! Her instructions were clear and catered for everyone. The stretches were not difficult or too challenging. It was indeed a day well spent!
- Giselle M-T
Ayodele is such an amazing person who is absolutely awesome at her craft. She was so kind and so knowledgable about everything she is doing. Thank you Ayodele for doing such a great job of explaining the cultural meaning behind the waist beads.
- Brittany B
Malaika was compassionate and attentive. She made time to connect to each of us in unique ways.
- CN
What a wonderful experience. Ayodele was very knowledgeable and patient in helping me pick the perfect set of beads. I feel so empowered leaving her studio.
- Chaneen B
Your Guides
Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe is a Professional Yoga Therapist (1000hr), Doula, Visual Artist and Co-founder of Spice Harmony Yoga, Grenada. She has over a decade of experience teaching yoga and primarily works as a private yoga therapist and guide for special wellness events and retreats.
Malaika was recognized internationally as one of 20 Yoga Teachers of Color to Watch in 2020 and has also been a yoga teacher for Microsoft at their Ignite Conference. She's led sessions in Grenada, Trinidad, Jamaica, Bahamas, The United States, England, Mexico and Peru.
Malaika is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and The Black Yoga Teachers Alliance. She holds a BA from Smith College, Massachusetts and a MA from University of the West Indies, St.Augustine. Connect with her on Instagram @malaikabsl
Ayodele Kinchen is the owner of Duafe Designs - Waist Beads by Ayodele, a waist bead boutique and gift shop specializing in signature and traditional waist beads, cultural jewelry, apparel and handbags. Ayodele has over 18 years of experience as a waist bead practitioner with comprehensive knowledge and education on the culture of wearing waist beads and its alignment with the divine feminine. Ayodele is a visionary intentional in utilizing her collective crafts as a medium to uplift, inspire and empower girls and women of all ages, sizes, shapes and seasons. She finds joy being a mother of 3, wife of 21 years and creating wearable art that affirms the value of self-love, self-care and self-preservation. Ayodele's products can be found via website at www.duafedesings.com, @waistbeadsbyayodele and @duafedesigns via social media.