Buddha Body Fair Trade Store
Green Studio

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Entering the marketplace With Giving Hands You go into the marketplace barefooted, unadorned, smeared with mud, covered with dust, smiling. Using no supernatural power you bring the withered trees to bloom.
The Ox Herding Pictures, Final Comment (Zen Text)

Buddha Body ( Fair Trade Store & Green Cafe)

SMITHVILLE STORE HOURS: Fall 2008, Winter 2009
Monday - Friday 8:00a-4:00pm
Saturday - Sunday 9:00a-Noon
What is Fair Trade?
 Free trade is quite misleading by its name. One might think that by participating in free trade you are creating freedom. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Not only are the people who participate in free trade economically burdened, but as a result of severe poverty many will actually sell their children into slave labor. Free trade allows corporations to send jobs to countries where there is no minimum wage, hardly any human rights standards, and very little if any environmental protection laws. The companies pull out the jobs they have already established, where they are paying people a living wage; and export their jobs to developing countries, sometimes paying people less than a dollar a day. 

An alternative to free trade is very simple in its design. It is called fair trade. Fair trade cuts out the cost of the middleman. The purchaser deals directly with the manufacturer and as a result is able to pay a fair price for the goods and descent wages for producers. The quality of the product is often better because there is not a desperate need to produce quantity. Another benefit of fair trade is the protection to the environment. Many fair trade farmers are certified organic which helps maintain biodiversity. Many people incorrectly believe that fair trade raises the consumers purchase price. By cutting out the middleman, companies are able to pay a decent price without raising the cost.

Here at Yoga Nine, we have made a commitment to Fair Trade and other sustainable manufacturing. When you purchase fair trade you receive a UNIQUE PRODUCT, and allow small manufacturers in the developing world to support their families & their communities. Many of our goods are also recycled, or Made in the USA with a similar philosophy of sustainability and community support. When you buy fair trade your purchases give twice! 

This year we have a number of new products for holiday shopping. Information about cooperatives & manufacturers is always available to be included in your gift! Please do not hesitate to ask if you would like this information in your gift. Shop Online

What is a green Studio?
At Yoga Nine we are dedicated to practicing environmentally sound business. Whenever possible we use and sell renewable, recyclable and reusable products. From natural rubber yoga mats to cork blocks and biodegradable cleaning products and papers, the store & studio try our best to reduce our impact on the environment. We also carry "sweatshop-free" clothing and organic fabrics. Yoga Nine is a member of the Green Studio Association. For more information about our efforts and the Green Yoga Association
Fair Trade Products:
Flavour of Change
Founded and run by Kim Hancock (Richard Stockton College graduate) and Annemarie, Flavour of Change believes in a different approach to business. One driven by good rather than greed. One that sees trade as an agent of change in the world. As such, they are committed to returning 100% of their net profits to the region where the products are crafted, currently South Africa. These funds are being used to build hope for the future, in areas where the ending Apartheid has not ended poverty. The Flavour of Change is partnering with local agencies to provide meal programs and address the most pressing needs for the children of the poorest townships. Buddha Body Store carries many of the unique handicrafts supported by Flavour of Change. For more information about Flavour of Change, and their mission, you can visit their website
 
Avatar 
Providing a variety of fair Trade clothing woven and manufactured in Nepal, Avatar offers a little west coast hip to the store. Come and check out our tye-dye and traditional cotton clothing and hand woven scarves in cotton and silk.
Maha Devi Designs
 Sustainable Clothing made from hemp, organic cotton, soy and Bamboo. Suitable for wearing on and off the mat.Hand dyed colors and hand drawn designs inspired by fantasy. You have to feel how soft these are to believe it. Made by two talented chicks from Vancouver, BC, just for our studio. Website.
Peacework
Richard Stockton College students working on service projects in Belize under the direction of Professor Patrick Hossay have expanded their efforts to impact the community by bringing the work of artisans in the communities they serve to the Buddha Body store. Currently, they are producing specially made YOGA MAT BAGS for our studio from RECYCLED FLOUR BAGS & BLUE JEANS (each one is unique). Proceeds from the sale of these items support these artisans and allow them to distribute their goods to a larger market at no cost to them, For more information on their ecological mission visit their website
 
American Apparel
The garment industry is infamous for paying low wages, but not American Apparel. American Apparel is located in downtown LA where it makes all its own fabrics and clothing by employees who get paid the highest wages in the industry. When 99% of US manufacturers of clothing have moved abroad, American Apparel remains committed to "Sweatshop Free" Clothing. All of the clothing with the Yoga Nine & Buddha Body logo are sweatshop free. For more information on American Apparel and their company visit their website
Special Edition Code Pink High-top Sneaker No Sweat Apparel
Produced by independent trade union members in the US, Canada and around the world, No Sweat aims to bring justice to the garment industry one sneaker at a time, globalizing labor movements in response to globalization. We are happy to join this fair trade effort by offering "Code Pink hi-tops". $5.00 from the sale of each pair of pink lace-ups goes to support Code Pink and their work for peace & justice.
Ecco Bella Health by Chocolate
Based in Montclair New Jersey, Ecco Bella produces organic skin care products and cosmetics. Chocolate, now recognized as having many health benefits, part of this topical application, but also sold in two different varieties for EATING! Swiss organic fair trade chocolate that is good for you! Organic cocoa has more antioxidants than most fruits or vegetables, and loads of minerals. Chocolate is lo-glycemic, so it releases its sugar slowly and is made with cocoa butter which is a healthy that won't raise your cholesterol, but keeps your skin healthy. 
  Buddha Body store carries two varieties, WOMEN'S WONDER BAR: which blends soy, chaste tee berry, flax seed oil, cranberry seed oil and rose essential oil to help soothe and alleviate PMS & menopause. But who cares really, it's chocolate. INSTANT BLISS BEAUTY BAR allows you to spoil yourself with the luxury of dark chocolate while protecting yourself from the effects of aging. Contains cranberry seed oil, carotenoids blueberry and vanilla. Buddha Body also carries INSTANT BLISS BEAUTY DRINK with healthful ingredients can be enjoyed hot or cold. Come in and try a sample!
 
Zhen's Gypsy Teas
Made from organic fair trade teas and herbal tisanes Buddha Body store serves 9 varieties of Zhena's teas. Served from fresh loose leaf tea…you can smell before you choose! Herbal, Green, White, and Black teas. For more information about Zhena, known in fair trade circles as the "mistress of tea" believes that she is saving the world "one sip at a time". For more information about Zhena and her mission visit her website
 
Dean's Beans
"Fair/Unfair There's no In-between" is Boston coffee roaster Dean's motto. A strong proponent of the fair trade mission, Dean makes no compromises, and in fact goes beyond fair trade standards to offer the highest wages, and production premiums to his coffee growing cooperatives all over the world. Buddha Body store offers 6 varieties of Dean's coffees roasted and packaged just for us! As part of the Community Coffee Campaign  you can purchase whole beans, the profits from which ($2.00/bag) go directly to local charities. We also serve Dean's coffee in our cafe.
 
Heatrsong Chai
Made from only local organic & organic fair trade tisanes & tea, the Chai Mammas blend what Laurie believes is the most awesome spicy Chai ON EARTH! Sold by the cup in our Buddha Body cafe OR by the box as loose tea. Varieties are all caffeine free and full of healthful minerals and antioxidants!: South African Roobois (red bush), Hemp Seed (Oregon) , and Yerba Mate (Oregon), and classic Black Tea Chais.
How About You?
Fair Trade also means BUY LOCAL. When you buy locally, you not only support local businesses and artisans, but you also save energy. Buddha Body store carries the work of local artisans and artists. If you are interested in consigning your goods, and being a part of our fair trade family, contact Laurie at info@yoganine.com
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