 |
|
Upcoming Events No events available
|
 |
|
|
|
The Yendys' Experience
|
|
|
August. 28th. 2004
THE COWRIE SHELL CENTER IS A HOLISTIC SANCTUARY FOR MIND.
BODY. SPIRIT HEALING AND BEAUTlFICATION
A visit to the Cowrie Shell Center, located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, offers an African soul touching experience, 'The Yendys Experience.' The Cowrie Shell Center is not a typical hair salon. The 'Spiritual/Cultural element' separates The Cowrie Shell Center from many other "salons" that lock hair. The walls are graced with beautiful art and other symbols of Spiritual reverence, Divinity and Devotion.
The decorum is that of east meets west, feug shui balanced and very visually appealing. It is a template for harmony where one and all who enter may be inspired to elevate to a higher level of Spirituality. This is a place where one can come home out of today's stressful world and freely indulge in luxury, tranquility and enchantment. This sacred space invites you to simply wash away the days' pressures, replenish and reinforce your well-being. The Cowrie Shell Center is an external expression of all of us. This is a space that invites you to celebrate your whole self, It is a place of renewal and hope, a sanctuary for you to retreat to and recharge, as you experience Holistic, Natural Hair-Care Services.
Be warned that the derogatory term 'dreadlocks' should not be used there. Dread-full is not to be associated with your crown of locs. The name "dreadlocks" signifies unholy peoples' fears of the dreadful power of the holy. People wearing locs are sometimes looked at as shiftless, dirty, low lives. Some black people are very uncomfortable with other black people wearing locs, who are declaring their African-ness. They have unfortunately been taught by colonization to hate and deny their true selves. Locs are an undeniable racial characteristic. Some of our folks are still in the mind set of 'why would anyone want to do that to their hair?' While some others still can't take it when you loc your hair, but don't get it twisted tight down to the roots like a braided style. Also, the way that our Rastafarian brothas and sistas so proudly wear their crowns continues to be looked down upon. We have not come to the full realization that natural hair is supposed to be just that, natural!
Locs are certainly the most misconceived expression of Ras-Tafari lifestyle. How do they get that way and what do they mean? To one who lives that lifestyle, there's nothing more natural or simpler. It is just part of living a wholistic lifestyle. Based on biblical commandments, lengthy unaltered locks are a representation of blackness, elevation and self-respect. The length of the locs expressed the years of devotion to a natural way of life. This was a testimonial, symbolic of never allowing the negative changes of society to alter Spiritual mans' consciousness.
Locs are symbolic of high powered electrical wires, which carry spiritual energy and inspiration from The Most High. Various people wear locs for the vogue-ness and not the spiritual meaning.
Years ago, locs were grown by just washing the hair; allow it to dry without combing, brushing or twisting. Locs were not braids, twists, or anything styled into a loc. The hair grows much longer and much faster in locs. Sometimes locs take on a reddish tint on the ends, which happens naturally from exposure to the suns' rays-the hair bleaches naturally. Growing locs is a sign of a commitment to a higher purpose.
The origins of Locs begin with Africa and Ras Tafarianism, which originate with Africa. This natural way of life came about when the slaves, who made up the majority of the population of Jamaica, came from the diverse culture of the Gold Coast of the Mother Land. Hundreds of the slaves had little in common, but yet so much in common. The strongest common bond among the slaves quickly became clear; this link was the commonality of religious philosophies and practices. Although the practices differed from one group to the next, the basic values were based in one organic philosophy.
In 1887, a man by the name of Marcus Garvey was born, he is today known more than any other person, to be historically recognized as the inspiration of Ras Tafarianism. As a descendent of the "Maroons" It is said that Marcus Garvey was very proud of his "pure black blood". Garvey traveled the world to learn about the life of other black people. In 1912 his interest in African culture and civilization was awakened. He was interested in implementing Negro improvement, education and conservation associations. In 1916 he came to the United States, he visited thirty eight states, and then set up his base in Harlem. Garvey established the UNIA in Harlem in 1917.
The connection between Garvey and Ras Tafarianism comes from his prophecy, "look to Africa, when a black king will be crowned, for the day of deliverance is near." This prophecy was accepted when Ras Tafari was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930, then taking the name Haile Selassie. Garvey was accredited by the Ras-Tafarianism as a prophet and a visionary. Haile Selassie was said to be a direct descendant of King David, and was 225th in a line of Ethiopians kings stretching uninterrupted, from the time of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba. Having hair like wool, like the lamb. The appearance of Haile Selassie was welcoming to the Jamaican people who had been waiting for their Messiah. In 1935 a Niyabingi Order of Warriors in Ethiopia came about. Some people known as Ras Tafari adapted the name of Nya men. In 1941, a man by the name of Howell bought an abandoned estate northwest of Kingston, Jamaica and organized a Rastafarian community called "Pinnacle". This community became the home to about sixteen hundred members under the Ethiopian Salvation Society. They grew yams and marijuana to make money and to have food. In 1943 a group of security men in that society grew their hair long and was known as "locks men" or "Ethiopian Warriors".
Ras-Tafarianism has always been looked at with disgust and disrespect. Especially for these who locked their hair, all Rasta' s did not lock their hair. This progression has managed to survive struggles, crises, arrests and police harassments. It has definitely grown and changed. Today, Locs and Ras-Tafarianism is a world wide reality.
In 1955, when Jamaica was invaded by the British, a group of about 1,500 Africans escaped to the mountains. These people became known as "Maroons", the name "maroon" comes from the Spanish Cimarron, which means disobedient and escaper. They were notorious for their stand against the new English rule of Jamaica. Under the leadership of Juan de Bolas, they battled and won terms of freedom and pardon from the English. They multiplied and reinforced with other fugitive slaves. For more than forty years the English assembled different tactics to wipe out the "Maroon" population, which had continued to fight fiercely for their rights to be. Locs worn by Africans and Ras-Tafarians were not twisted into tight configurations of styles, or cut and colored. These folks took the time and pride in seeking all natural herbs, fruits and oils to groom their naturals. Although the esthetic look was not appealing to the masses, this due to the lack of love for self and societal miseducation, there continues to be so many issues surrounding natural hair.
Some salons advertise that they 'do dreads'.. . really...? You should find out what they're 'doing' to dreads. Most likely un-nurturingly slathering on some toxic, commercial carcinogenic hair care products on your hair (formulated to destroy) with the word 'NATURAL' somewhere on the tube, jug or bottle. This can be yours, all for the lowest, affordable, economical price of $ 3.99.
So many people who have chosen to sport their naturals are still unable to find all natural products for daily maintenance. They are sometimes wondering if their decision to go natural was premature. Should they have let the straight hair be a thing of their oppressed past history, or should it be reclaimed? Some places are just, maybe capitalizing on the fad of wearing locs created and perpetuated by McDonalds, Benetton and the Gap, just to name a few. . . who, just about a decade ago would never feature a sista or brotha with locs. Yendys is obviously full-filling her divine purpose at this time, in this incarnation as she spiritedly, wholistically and lovingly stimulates growth, creativity and wellness by not only living the culture but also sharing and inspiring you to be healthier. You are warmly invited by the magical, aromatic scents of sage, rosemary and lavender that fill the air. Instantly stimulating your conscious mind with the over all feeling of health, harmony and welcome. A feeling of home comfort engulfs your whole being as you take off your shoes and prepare for a spiritually uplifting transformation. The plants are in full bloom representing regeneration and prosperity.
A consultation with Yendys is the initiatory step, to access where you are in your life's journey that has brought you to this personal gateway of wearing natural hair or locing your hair, along with simply acknowledging that it is time for a personal lifestyle change. Sometimes, we have to see what that change looks like before we try it on. She is quite aware that you are at a juncture in your present life path, on your way to your Higher Self. She believes that she is a catalyst and all of our paths cross in divine time; to share what we have learned so far, each one teach one. The Creator will guide us to help and teach one another. Yendys has gathered a treasure of pearls from all of her clients through the years of personal bonds that have been formed. We are in each others' lives for a reason, a season or a life time. She has been nurtured by her elders, who have always supported her through her challenges and triumphs.
Yendys incorporates the use of video tapes on the history and culture of Natural Hair, Hair Locking, health and wellness information into your loc grooming sessions. Drawing on years of her own experiences and her intuitive and insightful nature, she is able to provide the answers most commonly asked concerning a wide variety of topics. Many have acknowledged that after speaking with Yendys, they are always more sure of the path that they are embarking on and feel very secure and confident with their decision to lock their hair or to just wear it natural. They understand the maintenance that is required while caring for their naturals and they commit to themselves to embrace a more holistic way of life, one step at a time. They understand that by drinking spring or steamed distilled water and eating more whole foods that provide them with more fiber, minerals and vitamins, they will be adding benefits to their own lives and the lives of their friends and family.
Yendys invites you to have tea, water or juice to quench your thirst before getting started on your locking process. You are now ready for your own personal experience... 'The Yendys Experience'... Your crowns of locs are nurtured with Cowrie Shells' own line of Natural Hair Care and Body products, Ancient Blends.
The process begins with a trip to her kitchen, (which is also her kitchen healing laboratory, where the natural oils, infusions and other herbal potions are created) here your hair and scalp will be cleanse and treated. At this time, Yendys would ask you questions about your eating habits and your water intake. She will also inquire about the products that you have been using on your hair. This way she gains knowledge about your hair-story. As she shampoos your locs, she will ask you to let her know if she's attending to your whole scalp and if she's not, she appreciates it if you let her know if she'd missed any areas of your scalp. She is aware of the fact that any successful hair style begins with a through cleansing of your hair and scalp. If there are any scalp imbalances, such as old product residue, dry scalp, dandruff, breakage or hair loss, special care will be given to your hair at this time to address those particular challenges.
Next, your hair and scalp is lightly moisturized with warmed, herbal infused oil and massaged, as Yendys pays close attention to each and every loc, making sure that they are all moisturized. As you drift away to the sounds of some soothing, rhythmic, world music (which by the way, she's been gifted quite a collection from clients over the years) and the smell of herbs and Indian incense. Some clients have come to depend on their hair sessions with Yendys, as if it were a few hours with a faithful best friend, together their share stories of happiness, birth, love, loss, healing and prosperity.....lifes' transformations.
Then, whether you are going to be receiving loc grooming, starting locs, or just wearing the twists as a style, the hair is comb twisted or twisted between thumb and fore finger, applying natural gel to each individual loc or parted section of hair to be twisted, which does not contain alcohol. (Alcohol dries the hair and scalp) Spritzing the hair as needed with an aromatic spritz, the hair needs to stay wet as its being twisted. Dry hair does not twist well. After all of your hair is twist, you are now ready to sit under the dryer, for about 30 minutes are more, that time depends on the amount of hair that you have. Clients usually do not enjoy this part of the experience, so Yendys attempts to distract folks with books, photos and magazines. In some cases, if there's time, she'll sometimes sit and chat with a client while they are under the dryer to make their experience more pleasant. After you come out from under the dryer, you'll be advised on how to care for your new do. You may have already discussed your style choice earlier and now be ready to have you beautiful crown of locs swept up or braided back into a stunning, artistic accomplishment, which Yendys vows she was divinely inspired and guided to created, specifically for you. No two styles are created alike or duplicated. Sometimes, photos are taken, not necessarily to record the styles. (That would be the thought, right? It seems as though Yendys simply enjoys capturing the moments) Snapping photos.... well, that depends on a few things, like time, if there's film in the camera at the time, and the feeling that she has just watched you transform before your own eyes, and of course...your consent.
ANCIENT BLENDS is a divine, spirit-lifting, ancestral recipe, which is a blend of pure essential oils, natural base oils, herbs and herbal infusions. It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. Yendys realized the growing need for the use of natural products to honor natural hair and at that time, had gathered enough insightful experience to know : that as Afrakan descendants, we were never taught to love and honor our own natural hair in all of its texturous (texture-us) glory. It only made sense, why use a product that is not formulated for or conducive to the promotion of health for black, natural hair. So, with the help of divine ancestral insights, memories and some research, she was blessed to create a natural oil to promote moisture, growth and revitalization of the hair and scalp. Yendys recalled this recipe about 15 years ago and has continued to formulate it to a magical, healing, herbal, aromatic, balanced medium. This product continues to be in huge demand, as it has proven itself time and time again, to do what it promises to do.
Many recipes for natural hair and body care can be found going back to many centuries ago, when our Ancient African Khametic ancestors implemented many ways of taking care of themselves by making use of what nature provided in their environment. They made use of clay, rocks and herbs, roots, barks, leaves and minerals for the making of recipes that would address their daily concerns with moisture for their hair/scalp and body, perfuming for their bodies and the overall delay of the onset of ageing.
In our fast paced societies, we have surely lost the time and the desire to create natural products for ourselves. So, commercial products are making millions upon millions as they persuade us into believing that they are taking care of all of our hair care needs. So, they've introduced to us to a zillion products that are harmful to us on every level. These products deplete our hairs' moisture and causes severe dryness and breakage to black hair. Our hair is very delicate, contrary to other peoples' beliefs, and grows much healthier when products that promote moisture is used. The uses of detergents, artificial fragrances and colors, stabilizers and preservatives, petroleum by-product, just to name a few, are absolutely not good for the health of our hair or our overall well being.
The lemon/mint shampoo cleanses your scalp, stimulating awareness through inhalation, preparing you to receive the healing infusion of the herbal hair and scalp blessing rinse. Next your scalp is gently massaged with warm lemon/ginger oils, to stimulate your oil glands, then twisted with a natural, moisturizing gel by the healing hands of Yendys. Yendys Nefer-Atum, Founder and Operator of The Cowrie Shell Center for about 17 years, is also an initiate of the Ancient Khametic Afrakan order of the shrine of Ptah, Directer/Spiritual guide Hru Ankh Ra Semahji SehPtah, she is also an Initiate of The Global Sacred Woman Priestess order, Spiritually guided by Mut Nbet-Het Queen Afua, of the Smai Twai/ Heal Thyself Afrakan Wellness and Kultural Center, located in Brooklyn.
The logo states 'know your roots.' So, counting about 20 years of hair care experience, Yendys Nefer-Atum definitely knows your roots. Yendys is a master loctician and spiritual healer whose earlier hair care experience began at home with friends and family, like any other Caribbean native. In the fall of 1983, an 18 year old Yendys enrolled herself into cosmetology school at Wilfred Academy. There she learnd the fundamentals about not so natural hair care, styling, chemical hair products and techniques, manicures and pedicures. She proceeded to excel in all areas of hair and skin care. This knowledge has served her well as the foundation to the science of hair to an extent. She graduated as a licensed Cometologists. Yendys' wealth of knowledge and divine insights about natural hair and scalp wellness has been through ancient ancestral memory, self teachings and life experiences. Her favorite interests, while atteding Wilfred Academy where fantasy hair styling, anatomy of hair and scalp and make-up artistry. Yendys' natural curiosity to learn new things, allowed her to be a master at Hair weaving and braiding hair extension techniques.
Years later, as she embarked on her own personal spiritual sojourn, Yendys managed to meet the challenges at each moment in her life and acknowledged the divine balance and the supreme blessings in all of her life's teachings. Along with her initiations into The Ancient Khametic legacy, Sacred Woman Priestess Training, Medicine Woman Initiation and Wholistic Medicine.... Yendys has also taken her spiritual journey through The study of The Goddess, Feminity, Sensuality and Spirituality, Buddhism, Rastafarism, Yoruba and Eastern philosophies as she acknowledged the Oneness of the All Unification.
She is also acknowledged for her work as a spiritual life coach, healer, herbalist, aroma therapist, a nutritional consultant and an interior designer. Yendys Nefer-Atum is a facilitator of African Naming Ceremony Rituals for babies, Sistah Circles and Sacred Woman Initiations. Yendys reminds us that beauty begins within, and lovingly shares her wholistic lifestyle practices. For years Yendys has been teaching colon health, nutritional values and wellness practices to clients as they enjoy their loc grooming experience.
She displays the true warrior spirit of many women who have pioneered the way before her, courageously walking the journey of an entrepreneur, to live her dreams. Yendys has been a true keeper of the culture for the last 17 years and realizes that her nurturing services and cultural kinship continues to be spiritually up lifting and greatly essential to the well being and survival of our minds, bodies and spirits. At The Cowrie Shell Center, we acknowledge that our differences and the habits of unnatural lifestyles have created an unhealthy sense of being.
Yendys' divine mission is to teach that healthy natural hair or a natural crown of locs, along with clarity of mind, love, unity, optimum body wellness and peaceful spiritual balance... is our divine birth right as a community and a nation a people. Yendys is focused on the development and expression of expansive participation in her community, through beautification of her people, mental awareness, spiritual/physical health and community generated economics. Her primary motivation for this achievement is a collective well-being. She strives to expand people's consciousness. This expansion can only lead to more caring of ourselves and greater support of each other. She works to cultivate and refine her creative skills of cooperation and relating to others. One of her main motivation for success is continuous spiritual connected-ness with the her people, The One Most High and the Divine Ancestors.
Your experience with Yendys Nefer-Atum at The Cowrie Shell Center is sure to inspire you to reclaim all of that . Visit Yendys Nefer-Atum at The Cowrie Shell Center, a holistic, sacred sanctuary for healing,' the magic is here.' Embrace The 'Yendys Experience'. Bring it into your life. The Cowrie Shell Center provides service for men, women and children. Yendys is accredited for being able to assist all hair types through their magical locing rites of passage. Seventy percent of Yendys' clients are from the Caribbean Islands. (Yendys was born on the island of Barbados) some of them come for The Yendys Experience because they have grown tired of the physical abuse from using commercial chemical carcinogens to process their hair and scalps. Some folks are just tired of feeling as if they have to conforming to some-one else's standard of beauty to be accepted in today's' society. For some people, enlightenment happens soon after the locing process has started.
You will experience a change in consciousness and start to inquire about Yendys' holistic lifestyle practices. You are in your own space and time and that process should not be rushed or debated. Today, many of us are awakening to the glorious culture of the African Spiritual Experience, the taking back of your "natural". The 'Yendys Experience' inspires you to give yourself back to you. Reclaim your crown and your body will surely follow.
During the blistery winter months Mother Nature calls us inside to rest and pamper our minds, bodies and spirits. The 'Yendys Experience' cradles you in a sanctuary of warmth, in an ambience of candles, representing the preservation of the soul, incense to re-connect you with universal energy. Yendys plays a variety of universal music to help you to transcend your daily burdens. She creates an enchanting environment. This is your own private retreat. You are then offered your choice of herbal teas or her special flavor, Indian spice. This, the 'Yendys Experience' will serve as a reminder for you to come home to your spirit. ASHE'
|
|
|
