Copaiba EO

Copaiba has long been used in traditional and folk medicine. In Panama, the Yaviza people mix the resin with honey and give it to newborns to impart knowledge and ward off hexes.

The balsam and its oil are used as fixatives in soap, perfumes and fragrances.
Copaiba is also used by artists especially in oil paint recipes and ceramic decoration. Mineral painters use a medium of copaiba, turpentine and lavender to mix with minerals for adhesion to ceramic vessels before kiln firing. Copaiba helps with both adhesion and quality of shine.

The balsam may be steam distilled to give copaiba oil, a colorless to light yellow liquid with the characteristic odour of a balsam and an aromatic, slightly bitter, pungent taste.

The thick, transparent exudate varies in color from light gold to dark brown, depending on the ratio of resin to eo. The stimulant oleoresin (essential oil and resin) is obtained from the trunk of several pinnate-leaved (arranged on each side of a common axis) South American trees (genus Copaifera).  It is used in making varnishes and lacquers.

Copaiba is curently being investigated as a source of biodiesel, due to it's high yield of 12,000 liters of oleresin per hectare. The resin is tapped from standing trees, with an individual tree yielding 40 liters per year.

The health benefits of copaiba come from the powerful, active components  consisting mainly of terpenes, which are hydrocarbons -organic mixture of hydrogen and carbon. These have significant effects on the functioning of the body. The effects of the terpenes found in copaiba are extremely beneficial to our health.

Consumption of this potent oil should be supervised by a 'professional' or it can cause stomach issues. Fortunately, allergies or sensitivity are rare. It can be used topically and diffused. 

Skin: it is astringent, it’s active components literally tighten the skin and even strengthen it which prevents lesions or wounds as the body ages, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles, which can make one look younger!

Not only does it protect and physically change the skin, it also heals and infuses the body with powerful nutrients and organic compounds that given a little time, eliminate blisters, marks, and pimples. It is often topically applied to scars to speed healing and reduce visibility.

Respiratory Health: When inhaled, the anti-inflammatory, soothing nature of the oil, is famed for easing discomfort. It loosens tensed muscles and glands which can cause irritation. As well as having soothing qualities which can ease pains caused by coughing, it is expectorant which uses said coughing  to rid the body of mucus.

Pain Relief: This wonderful analgesic, when applied, reduces pain, loosens muscles, eliminates joint pain, and even eases headaches and migraines.

Eliminate Infection: Strongly antibacterial copaiba is a major boost for the immune system. It acts as a shield for the skin, protects wounds from developing infection and can protect and buffer internally, by eliminating harmful bacteria and micro organisms from the inside!

Anxiety and Mood: it is often used to lighten the spirits and improve mood. There aren’t many essential oils with such a sweet, pleasant, rich honey aroma. The combination of scent and its gentle effects on hormonal balance can significantly improve your day.

Diuretic: Can cleanse and detoxify the system by stimulating urination. This diuretic effect can help everything from incontinence to bed wetting

Antifungal: eo effective as an anti fungal agent are rare, the unique terpene structures in copaiba eo significantly speed up the healing process and protect against future infections of athlete’s foot or any sort of (nail) fungus.

Lowers Blood Pressure: boosts heart health, reducing one's chances of a heart attack or stroke. It's anti-inflammatory, soothing nature can relieve tension and strain in blood vessels, allowing blood pressure to drop and the strain to disperse from the cardiovascular system. This helps prevent atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of strokes and coronary heart disease.

Adding copaiba to any aromatherapy or eo regimen is a very wise choice.

Generally, this essential oil is very safe, it is also one that Indiginous peoples recommend for internal use – Please always consult a knowledgeable practitioner

Essential Oils (EO)

'An EO is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it contains the "essence of" the characteristics of the plant from which it is derived.'

Pure essential oils (EO) are commonly used in perfume and beauty products, also in the manufacturing, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The average citizen is widely palmed off with inferior, manufactured, synthetic substitutes.

EO can influence the atmosphere. It has been scientifically proven that EO affect humans on energetic, physical, emotional, spiritual, mental and aesthetic levels. Using EO is a means of regaining control of an important, possibly nebulous but tangible aspect of your personal space.

The destruction of our natural environment and multinationals (e.g. Monsanto) attempts to control natural resources threaten our access to these gifts of nature.

It is most important to note than only 100% pure EOs have any medicinal properties. 99% nature identical oils may smell fantastic however they have no healing properties whatsoever! Pure EO can be used in the home to replace many if not all; household, cleaning, beauty and health products.

EO are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam. Other processes include expression, solvent extraction, absolute oil extraction, resin tapping and cold pressing. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and other products, for flavouring food and drink, and for adding scents to incense and household cleaning products.

The earliest recorded mention of the techniques and methods used to produce EO is believed to be that of Ibn al-Baitar (1188–1248), an Andalusian physician, pharmacist and chemist' 

 Most (internet) research dates EO use back to 4500 B.C.E. amongst the Egyptians. They included aromatic herbs in religion, cosmetics and medicines and were renowned for their knowledge of cosmetology, ointments and aromatic oils. The most famous of their herbal preparations “Kyphi” was a mixture of 16 ingredients that could be used as incense, perfume or medicine.

'However it is important to realize that almost without exception the apparatus, substances, and procedures of this art originate before the Arab alchemists of the Middle Ages and even before the grand synthesis of Alexandrian alchemy. The apparatus used in Neolithic (and in some cases Paleolithic) Mesopotamian cooking, perfumery, ceramics, and metallurgy include all kinds of containers, sieves, ovens, furnaces and fires, also mortars, pestles and grinders of all types. Along with these apparatus were an enormous range of procedures including distillation and sublimation.'

 'EOs were used medicinally in history. Medical applications proposed by those who sold/sell medicinal oils range(d) from skin treatments to remedies for cancer often based solely on historical accounts of the use of EOs for these purposes. Claims for the efficacy of medical treatments, and treatment of cancers in particular, are now subject to regulation in most countries.

As the use of EOs has declined in evidence-based medicine, one must consult older textbooks for much information on their use. Modern works are less inclined to generalize; rather than refer to "EOs" as a class at all, they prefer to discuss specific compounds within an oil, e.g. methyl salicylate, rather than the 'whole oil' in this case "wintergreen".

Interest in EOs has revived in recent decades with the popularity of aromatherapy, a branch of alternative medicine that claims that EOs and other aromatic compounds have curative effects.'

There is an increasing amount of scientific research and evidence which has proven the efficacy in a range of treatments of individual EOs e.g. the work done by Gattefosse in the second world war using lavender oil particularly, to treat wounded soldiers, I found 7 different scientific documents on the on cinnamon oil alone*.

Oils are volatilized or diluted in a carrier oil and used in massage, diffused in the air, heated, or burned as incense.

Some oils (I have been taught, also in my opinion and personal experience) can be safely ingested. The general consensus though, is that they are only for external use.

EO can ease a wide assortment of ailments and relieve the discomforts of many health problems; aches, pains, and injuries. Many of the oils have powerful anti viral, anti fungal, antibacterial and antibiotic qualities and unlike pharmaceutical drugs, they leave no dangerous toxins in the body.

My empirical belief is that EOs can be relaxing, uplifting, calming, pain relieving, sedating and/or stimulating. They restore physical and emotional well being. There is at least one EO that can affect anything the human body experiences. 

Almost all EO can be used safely if properly diluted as necessary. Having knowledge is the key to safe usage.

Concentrated substances are rarely intended for use “as is” and EOs are no different. There is rarely a time when you would not want to dilute the potency of an EO, by adding a drop (or more) to a carrier (oil). This provides a good medium to absorb the oil into the skin and spreads the oil over the skin effectively. It is also possible to inhale EO. The perfume tone* used will dictate how frequently it would need to be repeated. EO can also be diluted in hydrosol/flower waters, pure or mixed with colloidal silver and/or plain water (I live in the NL so our tap water is excellent and unadulterated – check the quality of your tap water and use bottled or filtered water if in doubt)

.25% Dilution (1 drop per 20mls of carrier oil) – for sick children between 6 months and 6 years you may increase up to.50% if needed. For children under 2 hydrosols and/or herbs are usually the best choice.

1% dilution (1 drop per teaspoon (5mls) of carrier oil; 5-6 drops per 30 mls 1 fl.oz) – for children over age 6, pregnant women, the elderly, people with sensitive skin, compromised immune system, serious health issues. Also for massaging over a large area of the body.

2% dilution (2 drops 5mls of carrier oil; 10-12 drops per 30mls) – ideal for most adults and in most situations. A good dilution for daily skin care.

3% dilution (3 drops per 5mls of carrier oil; 15-18 drops per 30mls) – for short-term use with a temporary health issue, se.g. muscle injury or respiratory congestion. Up to 10% dilution is fine, depending on the health issue, the age of the person and the oils

25% dilution (25 drops per 5mls of carrier oil; 125-150 drops per 30mls) – very occasionally would a dilution of this strength is warranted, for a muscle cramp, bad bruising, or severe pain.

Using oils “neat” (undiluted) – Lavender is one of a few EOs that can be used neat. A bug bite, burn, or sting, might be a good reason to use Lavender neat. Great knowledge and great caution need to applied before choosing to use EO undiluted, some individuals can experience irritation, sensitivity even burning with neat EO.

Edited from wikipedia, books by Julia Lawless, Valerie Ann Worwood, internet pdf's on essential oils and Mesopotamian Origins and the Material Discipline March 2009
* research conducted amongst others at the National Taiwan University.

Alwareness July 2016

Juli : Ontwaken
Ontwaken in het hier en nu. Wie ben ik, wat ga ik doen, wat kan ik voor de mensheid betekenen? Blijf ik wakker of ga ik weer slapen?

Who am I, What do I want to do or be? These are all questions that I have been busy with my whole life. Wat kan ik voor de mensheid betekenen? Was never a question that I bothered with. Why would I want to 'mean' or 'do something' for mankind? Man kind is for me an archetypal example of the 'White Mind World' operating, by defining everyone else by describing them self. Man type literally. That wasn't and isn't me, nor is it something I desire or wish to achieve. Cos the only thing that man kind has brought me was a distrust of my body, my thoughts and myself as having any value.

The Blijf ik wakker bit from this month's theme I found irritating, patronising and contradictory. Am I going to stay awake assumes that people already are, which implies that if you are not you should be. Of ga ik weer slapen says that you've been asleep, so how does that fit with the being awake part. So which ever it is I find them both wrong but not quite in the way that is intended perhaps. - Just a little Lennie point. Lets move on!

I can't tell you who I am, I can't tell you 'what' or 'how' it is to be big, physically overtly gender attributable, black, 1.73 or any of the things that most people react to. I can only tell you my experiences, my reactions or responses to those experiences and the conclusions I have drawn from all three.

Strangers tend to react to one's appearance. That is a great word, how you appear – to them. Which means that it is only an indicator of what people see and the conclusions they draw. Someone who is fat because they have dropsy or a thyroid issue will still be judged as greedy and lazy.

How do we find out who we are, if we are not prepared to accept the judgements, opinions, wishes that others make? How do you choose what to be or do, if you don't know who you are? Those are the questions that just about governed my life to around about a certain moment.

Since embracing the life philosophy of the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin lots of things have become much clearer and a helluva lot easier.

My function, the reason I was born - and by extension all of us, is to discover, accept and allow my unique talents, then find a way to live true to them and most importantly, to learn how to be happy (through doing this)*. A very specific kind of happiness – indestructible happiness, which is based on a solid life philosophy, in which wisdom and reality are fused within the individual allowing the Buddha state to manifest.

The attributes of the Buddha are; courage, compassion, wisdom, life force and joy. When the Buddha state is manifest, the attributes are unavoidable – I like all of the attributes.

The best thing about this philosophy is that the third part of the theme questions – that I never saw a need to recognise is also answered.

So, from this specific philosophical standpoint. I have the potential to be a Buddha, I am going to manifest that potential, the by-products of which are enlightenment, happiness, courage, compassion wisdom, life force and joy and by becoming happy and living true to myself, I give everyone around me permission to do the same. Not only that, but with the Buddha's attributes I have the ability to actively help all the people around me to achieve the same.

About the happiness bit. Indestructible happiness is not the absence of problems, issues and challenges it is the knowledge that one can overcome anything that the universe might choose to throw in one’s direction.

And as for the asleep awake bit – I sleep when I need to and whenever I can, cos it's nice to be able to sleep whenever one needs. As for the staying awake – Don't you know that that is a recognised torture?

*People say “Well that's all very well but what about the physcopaths and peoples who's talent is in killing”

Firstly, finally, quintessentially, the question(s), the focus, the locus of this philosophy I; In Lennie terms: “How the fuck is it your business unless you are one. Are you?”

The point is that every single, human entity being has the potential to be a Buddha (inside them) – this is the theory of the Ten Worlds http://myanimagodessblog.blogspot.nl/2016/02/the-ten-worlds.html

Percy Dens made a real great addendum to this piece when I read it (differently) on the radio tonight. In my own words (then followed by a quote from Minxy McNaughty).

Some may see joy as a destination, when in fact it is a motor for the journey

Share the joy!

Alwareness June 2016

I was very interested to discover in a tv series that suicide is not illegal in Germany and hasn't been since the 17^th century. Coming from and having in lived in countries where the illegality of taking your own life is a foregone conclusion, I realised that notion had always raised questions and resistance within me. Why is it not OK to decide when you are done with life?

The episode in the quick chasing, high octane series, dealt with a young woman who in revenge for her younger brothers suicide after bullying by a group of popular young people sets out to bully them into doing the same. Because she only tells them that everyone will know their darkest secret(s) and gives information e.g. how to make a noose or the best ways to kill yourself, what she is doing cannot be seen as threatening them and because suicide is legal the police cannot prosecute her. The sub tone of the episode, which was of course partly funded by an American production company was of course, that the notion of suicide being legal is somehow wrong and irresponsible.

Obviously, I do not agree. I think denying people the right to decide whether their life is worth living is wrong. One of the main reasons of course is because it is an OMG concept and I am diametrically opposed to anything the monotheistic religions or the state advocate that restrict personal freedom without the protection of other human beings as the basis. I don't see how making an attempt to kill yourself illegal protects other people.

I do hope that no one is thinking but, it protects people from being emotionally hurt. Because that would be a stupid reason for making a law and clearly an idea that has no precedent or basis in any justice system currently in existence.

I don't remember the first time I felt that there was something seriously amiss with the way that the world worked and operated. I know that it was during some horrid event where it was clear that an adult was being hideously unfair and that there was no one who would stick up for me. and that being a child was on the one hand no protection and on the other invalidated any of my efforts at self defence.

I do know that I couldn't have been more than 5 when it became clear that most adults were not only stupid and ignorant but also ignore ant, mean, selfish and untrustworthy. This was confirmed by a wonderful nun called sister Philomena, who remains a top example of the exception that can prove a rule. I seem to remember that she was a different kind of nun to the others – she had been in the world and then chosen to retreat and dedicate her life to helping 'fallen women' and their children.

To this day I strongly feel that there is something (a foundation and framework that is) life denying, oppressive, inhumane and generally destructive in (the structures of) our society. It seems as if in total contrast to the supposed messages of peace and love that abound we are constantly being encouraged, directed, steered and pushed into displaying and living by the most bestial of our traits and abilities.

For this reason I term myself a Liberationist, which means that I do not follow any particular theoretical line of thought. Probably anarchism comes closes to what I believe but as a practising Buddhist of deep faith I think that Mahayana Buddhism and the theoretical groundings of anarchism have pretty much the same aim and objective.

My goal is to dismantle literally – un-clothe and take apart the systems and thoughts of behaviour within individuals that keep them enslaved. Most people seem to be enslaved to – materialism, self hatred, fear of 'the other', belief and/or assumptions of superiority. Most of these are rooted in the belief in a One Man God and adherence to the rules the OMG proscribes.

I think that only one of the ten commandments has any real value and stands up to a rigorous examination, that is the rule that from the moment it was passed down has neither within or outside of the bounds of the nation and/or laws of the Israelites has been adhered to – 'Though shalt not kill'. An unequivocal, simple, humanistic law on which to found, frame and shape a community/society.

Have you seen pictures of 'priests' blessing the weapons (and pretty much anything else)?

http://www.pravmir.com/the-church-and-weapons/

http://epicpew.com/25-pictures-that-prove-orthodox-priests-will-bless-anything/

How soon after Moses came down with the tablets did the Israelites start killing? It has continued unabated ever since. I think maybe it will not end until there are enough people prepared to die rather than do violence to another human being......

Am I one of them? I'm not sure. Are you?

Alwareness May 2016 - Being yourself...?!

The theme this month is long and drawn out 

  

Being yourself – What is that? Why is it important? It's importance, How do you do that? How we think has a great influence on our lives, positive or negative, personal or collective

That's huge, complicated and in many ways unhelpful. I narrowed it down to:

Being yourself. What does that mean? Why is it important? Or rather is it important?

I think it can be argued that being yourself could be to your detriment in the current society, if you are relatively, moderately or possibly even completely satisfied with your life.

If you are a slavish follower of fashion, think that the size of your body is more important that it's health, that others finding you beautiful is more important than how you treat people, if you believe economics, have set opinions about other religious beliefs, genders, groups of people, if you think some nationalities or ethnicities are superior to others, if you are a deeply religious subscriber to the OMG doctrines (One Man God), if you believe that western society is the best on offer at the moment, or if you believe that you live in a secular democracy or meritocracy then possibly you would be very ill advised to get to know yourself. You are contented being one of the sheep!

Self knowledge is only something for the much despised goats in Christians mythology. Those who go against the grain. Those who think that there is a purpose beyond breeding to life. The ones who are pained by what they see in the world around them and wish to find another way. Self knowledge is for the desperate, the unhappy, the depressed, the non violent crazies.

New age philosophies are always propounding the ideal of love as the means to save everything and everyone. It is a much touted and little practised Christian concept. How often do you see Christians demonstrating that love conquers all? When have you seen in practise on a political or international level from supposed Christian countries that love, unconditional love of course, is the answer?

The people who propagate this ideal are in general over privileged. Have only ever wanted, never needed, been denied but never had to do without. Grew up with the knowledge of opportunity and availability rather than scarcity, unavailability and being dis-encouraged.

There is lots of love in this world, huge amounts on constant display. Genuine, abiding, deep and fervent love. Love has changed nothing, improved nothing and brought nothing except more two leggeds, animals treated better than people, vegetables treated better than animals. Supposed equalisations that only create more suffering.

What this world needs is more courage, compassion and wisdom. Courage is the most noble and admirable of all human virtues. Through true courageousness we acquire compassion. Courage and compassion engender (or the child of courage and compassion is) wisdom.

When one is truly courageous, one is driven to the defence of one's personal sense of justice. To be truly courageous one needs to know oneself

Most people define the things that are important to them by comparison. Comparing inevitably creates some kind of a hierarchy. This is to do with the way our minds have been programmed.. Westerners and those brought up in a OMG (One Man God) ideology are trained to see things in duality. There is a grudging lip service to the idea of trinity but this is firmly in second place to the highest single point of order – the One Man God.

This ideology is mirrored in society, a single person usually a man at the top and when a woman her modus operandi shows how constructed the notion of gender is. Men are forced to take the lead, be strong, emotionless in control. They retain this power and position even when they choose to name themselves women. (Cis) women waver in the power structure somewhere between and under boys and gay men

Self help philosophies define life with the Mahayana Buddhist concept that the purpose of life is to learn how to be happy. Which raises the question, what is happiness?

When the point is learning, lessons are the usual method. It is generally agreed that trial, failure and re trial works. Only those within whom the idea of an all pervasive perfection constantly surrounding them will expect (as most of our children and ourselves seem to do) to get anything right the first time they try.

Very occasionally, we all have those moments when it is as if some new action or task is coming back to us, as though we have done it before. Or the times (as children to young adulthood, then increasingly rarely with age) when absorbing something new is effortless.

The One Man God is the all pervasive perfection that constantly surrounds us. Unlike the Goddess/Earth it is a standard impossible for humans to reach. We are told that it is striving for that perfection that is important. Trying to be perfect is all that matters. However if you are trying to be something else it is impossible to understand that our humanity is perfection in and of itself.

Life itself is perfection. We are constantly reflected back to ourselves in myriad, wonderful ways just observe the planet, nature and animals. That is the Goddess. Perfection on a Earth bound, human scale is the awareness that the notion of perfection in reality is trial, error, cause and effect.

Anyone who seeks for something above and beyond an Earth bound, human scale, communicating through a pyramidal structure is actually only in search of a way to enslave their fellows.

The church from it's inception has been designed to restrict and control the masses. To instil fear, subservience, a sense of helplessness, need, dependence.

When I speak of the church I am not referring to the teachers whose words have been (trans)formed to create rigid structures. I refer to the bodies defining and maintaining those rigid structures

A good OMG believer rejects the idea of self actualisation – which is what everyone at radio Alwareness is encouraging and busy with. That is what we believe will save the world and for that Self knowledge is essential

Alwareness Addictions 12 April 2016

Up until the 16^th century the body was seen as a receptacle of magical powers. Magic is a means 'to obtain what is wanted without labouring for it. Obtaining anything without hard work is severely frowned upon in a society and culture that believes in original sin. (i.e. this culture and most of the West)

It is important to understand that everything that is pushed, proscribed or advocated in our society has at it's basis a belief in Christianity which is a belief in the innate evil of human beings. This inborn evil must be constantly fought against. We are, 'because' of Adam and most especially Eve driven to perpetrate evil, wickedness etc. This foundational belief is the basis for my continued and continuing rejection of God and all forms of monotheism.

Humanistic belief systems say that people have an innate or inborn capacity for goodness. However one needs to make a concerted and continuous effort to allow this goodness space to operate. A capitalist monotheistic society can never be humanistic.

Before the 16^th century life, nature the planet was viewed as a flow of signs and signals to be deciphered. Everything, every element, herb, plant, metal and most of all every part of the human body hid virtues and powers. A variety of practices were designed to bend these secrets and powers of nature to the human will.

Magic requires a conception of space and time that is totally incompatible with the capitalist work/discipline paradigm. Whether magic is real is immaterial. All pre capitalist/christian societies have magical beliefs.

Francis Bacon said 'Magic kills industry”. So eradicating these practises and ideas was essential for the creation of modern day society.

What we call the Age of Reason was actually an age of scepticism and methodical doubt aimed at the destruction and eradication by the state of all pre-capitalist beliefs and practices. The height of this age was the peak of a prolonged, viciously ferocious attack on ordinary people.

“The human body … was the first machine developed by capitalism.” First hierarchy was created between the mind and body. 16^th and 17^th century philosophers, such as Descartes and Hobbes, developed the theoretical basis which states; the body is a machine, an engine that needs to subdued, controlled, constrained ordered and subjugated. The mind must exert will over the machine to focus it continuously on serving god and the state. This 'Mechanical body' philosophy was essential to the creation of a functioning capitalist society.

The current revival of 'magical beliefs' is only possible today because to paraphrase Silvia Frederici; "Even the most devoted believer in astrology will consult the clock to check they are on time for work."

For over three hundred years a battle was fought partly in words and concepts beginning with philosophical texts printed at end of the 15^th century. Though many of the works against the mechanical body philosophy no longer exist. The battle of words can be seen and read at any moment. The unrelenting violence that was used to support and ensure the victory of these words is only evident in our psyches and insistence upon following unspoken rules that do not benefit our well being.

During the 16^th and 17^th century hatred for wage labour raged across Europe, with the notable exceptions of the NL and Sweden. This resistance was so intense that most preferred possible starvation and/or death to submission. This can clearly be seen in changes in the law; An intensification of penalties, particularly those punishing crimes against property, the introduction of bloody laws against vagabonds and a huge number of executions.

But it took until the second half of the 19^th century before we glimpse the emergence of the (ideal) ...worker – temperate prudent, responsible, proud of his contribution. This drudge that personifies the capitalist utopia is the clearest sign that the battle had been lost.

If this war had never taken place or not been lost, we would view our bodies as sacred, magical vessels imbued with wonder, then gifted to us.

Today you either drudge or you are frowned upon. Most people strive to have jobs where they then spend the largest proportion of their lives from necessity. They do it for clothes, food, shelter. Few people do any kind of work that fulfils them or enriches other areas of their lives.

Most of our addictions are condoned supported and pushed by the state. The ones seen as a problem, take us out of the mundane reality of our daily lives, they usually incapacitate us from being an ideal worker and they move us into another (magical?) space/mind set.

If we hadn't completely taken on board the de-consecration, alienation and mechanisation of our body, how would we view the insistent call of a magical vessel towards an altered state?

Optifit bra's

I just had the most amazing conversation with Sue McDonald from http://www.optifitbra.com/. 

I have been looking for a good bra for years. In between bouts of raging at the sellers of the instruments of torture that we are currently mostly forced into. I listened to the outer and inner voices that told me that my body/breasts were wrong, too big, that my nipples were in 'the wrong' place.

I listened to numerous women particularly when I was in the US tell me that "You don't have to walk around looking like that" just before they slipped me a card from a plastic surgeon. Or ask me "What are your nipples doing down there?" The looks of disgust, revulsion, pity, sympathy, fascination and horror, that have accompanied me throughout my lifetime in saunas parks, swimming places and especially everywhere in the four months that I decided 'not to ever wear a bra again'.

I have been three times to 'see about' getting a breast reduction but the attitudes of the Dr's and nurses, the blatant sexism and racism, as well as refusal to accept the 'necessity' of removing my nipples to ultimately just be able to wear a bra comfortably, the horror stories and scars of women I knew who had their breast reduced, and my general recalcitrance and unwillingness to buy into the 'beauty imperative' have always stopped me taking the next step.

To be honest the fact that it was always accompanied by the absolute necessity to loose lots of weight didn't help. Especially because all the women I know who did lose weight for their operations only put it back on afterwards which combined with my decision in my teens that I would rather be fat than a yo-yo'er.

Over the years I have watched with disappointment and a growing sense of desperation - I am a dinosaur - as pretty much all the women I knew with big (especially African shape) boobs succumbed to the pressure and submitted to the knife. Most of them to become proselytisers for the scalpel as saviour to their' self esteem, marriages, love lives, health - you name it.

I do not believe that cutting bits of your body for purely aesthetic reasons based on an industry that is detrimental to women on every level has any validity. Certainly not if one considers themselves woman aligned/supportive or liberationist.

Every few years I would look up made to measure bra's but the idea of spending hundreds of (whatever your currency) per piece to buy something that you are supposed to wash every 3/4 days just didn't fit.

I spent 10 years going to sewing classes with the hope of learning how to make a bra. My teacher attempted to make me a bra, she also made me a couple of swimming costumes. It was clear at that point that the way bras are designed is anti female, Euro centric (racist) and invalid.

I bought bras from Bravissimo until the scars caused by the under wires was too much even for my minimal vanity levels. The lack of comfort was a non issue - everyone knows bras are uncomfortable. Eventually I found a firm which sold large size bras without under wires. I bought the largest size they had which still doesn't fit but was more comfortable and doesn't scar and decided I would have to live with the four boob syndrome for the rest of my life!

Pretty bras for big boobs are massive business. I asked myself why I kept giving in. I can take a lot of abuse from men - I am used to it. But the way that women get at me and undermine me eats at me, it feels like from the inside out. So it would only take a few trips out of doors and a few weeks feeling unable to go out of doors to get me ordering again.

The last bit of time I go 'out' rarely, get wasted as quickly as possible and forget about my uncomfortable bra until it is time to get home and 'FREE THE TWO!"

Imagine my deep interest at finding  http://www.optifitbra.com/our-story/ this morning.

I read the website info and just the fact that it showed clearly all the issues that I had also found to be true of bras re body positioning was great but in and of itself not enough to get my order. I checked the films on the website and them some on youtube. Made a post to my fb page - I'm gonna phone - so that I would!

Imagine again my surprise when Sue herself answered the phone, with her lovely, medium tone voice and for me reassuring and safe Northern English accent (all Brits know that people from the North of England are intrinsically nicer (more trustworthy!) people that those from the South!

We talked about fashion, history, the (ab)use of women's body to sell products that damage and pain caused, the ignored body/breast shape differences and the abnormalizing of non European body shapes/sizes. 

Fashion; This industry makes it's money exploiting women's insecurities and keeps them out of a security zone by reversing the 'rules' every 5-10 years to keep women buying. Adding a dart to a men's shirt form is will not make an upper body clothing item that will fit boobs. Whatever the fashion industry says!

History: Women's shapes and measurements are based on men's bodies and sizing adapted to a European form ideal! If you look at the 'ideal' women's body shapes from the beginning of the 20th century to now - there is a marked see saw from full figure attractive to slim figure attractive for the whole of the 20th century that seems now to be focused on getting smaller and becoming increasingly male shaped.

Bra's are the cause of most backache issues, it has been show that under wires impede the flow of the lymph and bra's are increasingly associated with breast cancer causation. 

If you've ever been lucky enough as I have to work in a naked sauna, you would have seen that no two breasts are the same and that there is a wide variety of 'standard' breast shapes, that vary from ethnicity and body shape/size. This variety is unreflected in the standardised making of bra's.

Sue talked about the differences between the measurements she uses for making bras and those that are usually used and how they differ from woman to woman, depending on height and breast size.

It was an amazing conversation! Incredible to hear a manufacturer reflecting back, supporting and agreeing with everyone of my negative thoughts about bra's as well as giving me even more negative information!

Sue said the best thing for your boobs whatever their shape and size is not to wear a bra! But as we are suckers for our own(and each others) oppression she decided to make something that at least wouldn't make the search for 'lift' a hazard to your health

She is sending me the info and instrument to measure my boobs! These bras are not cheap, unless you consider that they are made to measure and she promises for one price to make you a bra that fits. She says that 50% of the time she has to make a second bra but to date has never had to make a third to get it right.

Check out the website - you can also give her a call and talk to her.

I will keep you posted!