Ioanna Alexia Kruizenga-Pitsilou
I met Ioanna back in 2016 at a festival, I knew instantly that she was the sort of woman that I wanted more of in my life! Not only is she visually stunning and one of a kind, but her incredible attitude, her compassion and open heart are rare to find and must be treasured.
She was the first person I thought of when I decided to launch this series of interviews, as you will see she is so beautifully open to share her journey. I have so much admiration for her continuous strength and growth.
If you have the chance to get your hair done by her you are in for a treat. Not only for her hair skills but just to spend your time with her and all the magic she has to offer us!
I’m grateful to have connected and become friends with this incredible and inspiring woman who has opened her soul to share with me, and now you. Read more about Ioanna and her approach to her work, what inspires her and how she spends her light-filled mornings…
Please introduce yourself, and what it is you so wonderfully do…
Hi, my name’s Ioanna Alexia Kruizenga-Pitsilou but let’s just stick to something more simple, Yo! I’m Yo. Let’s take it back to the beginning, I started cutting hair 15 years ago in my bathroom at home and in friends kitchens, alongside studying sociology and photography. From those two sides of learning in my journey I realised that I love working with visual creativity as well as the power of the human mind and individuality. I’m striving now to create a safe space to translate the act of a haircut into the act of a ritual or offering in a holistic way even to honour it as a catalyst for change. There’s nothing that I love more than creating a look to help people feel their truest selves to aid in the next steps on their journey. One way I do this is I encourage them to communicate freely without fear of judgement; pushing what doesn’t serve into the ends of the hair and cutting that off. So when cut off can be given back to the earth with better, lighter intentions. Connection and communication is so vital in helping manifest the future that we want. I believe we all possess the power to change our own destiny sometimes even just saying things out loud can trigger the best ‘Aha!’ moments and guide us in the right direction. Whether it be a big re-style or even just a trim, the act of a haircut can prove to be a doorway to new. When you look in the mirror and see change, behaviour can follow.
What is your ideal way to start the day?
Giving yourself time in the morning to adjust from the sleep state is so important. With what I do for a living, not being in the actual moment can detrimentally affect how well I connect and read people or a situation to achieve the desired goals. Adjusting to the busyness in the day at a slower pace practice than the opposite, which is ‘alarm, get dressed and out the door’ method with a take away breakfast or drink on the go. I like to start by waking at least three hours before I need to be anywhere giving that buffer time to not stress, and to have space for any surprise visits of tasks, that I know we all experience from time to time, for example the flooded kitchen because of the washing machine, or the boiler breaking in the middle of the coldest week of the year just to name a couple. Obviously if I need to be on a train this habit can not realistically be put into play and would not benefit the day ahead. I love to start the day with a dairy-free matcha latte. Matcha has loads of healing properties including antioxidants to boost metabolism and burns calories, naturally detoxifying, calms the mind and body, is rich in fibre and vitamins (C, zinc, magnesium amongst others) enhances mood and aids concentration, and lowers cholesterol and blood sugar. On an ideal day but not every day, a bath with bath salts from Neal’s Yard. I like to sing or say affirmations aloud to engage my solar plexus and awaken the channel between mind and body. But also just talking time to wake up is a really necessary for me. I enjoy the mornings for that time with myself.
Do you have any daily rituals/routines? Morning and/or night?
Drinking my morning matcha, picking an outfit for the day. I feel I wake up with a different vibe every morning. Music is something I give great importance to, so something reflective or mood enhancing is often chosen. Usually adding to a playlist of some sort I find therapeutic, like a diary of reflective sound. The one I’m listening to as I type this is named 11.19 and you can find on Spotify if your curious. On the journey to my place of work I like to be mindful towards the day ahead. Night time I like to use as a wind down, lower lights, lighter food, plenty of herbal tea to tie up loose ends of the day. In an ideal world yoga, meditation or reading the book I’ve had on the go the whole year (yes I need to allow myself to relax more for sure). But, recently I have only been doing tarot and going to a sauna course with guided meditation, light yin vibe yoga and some salt treatments with Laura Brown and Liz Watson at Beach Box Brighton. I highly recommend. Lastly and very importantly, I’m going to bed as early as I feel I want to, rather than staying out late or feeling like I should be somewhere. Rest is key in the winter months, because we still need the energy to hustle.
Do you have any practices/remedies to keep you happy & healthy in the cold months?
I’m starting to honour winter in its truest way these days, a more forgiving time with energy and allowing the natural feeling of hibernation to kick in. I’ve been taking days off to be days to just feel and be warm and eat food. Not having any plans for a longer allocated amount of time allows that stretch of growth from past days to settle, becoming a part of us, not just things that happen. Winter is a great time to learn to slow down. I like to make soup a lot and feel the ritual of making it is just as good for us at the consumption. Ingesting healthy and vibrant food is something I use also do keep the dark months lighter. There are two turmeric-based drinks I like to make in the winter that contain natural antiseptics- One is hot vit c boost, turmeric, black pepper, lemon and ginger. Another is a good night time drink- turmeric, coconut milk, and cinnamon, you can add honey or other natural sweeteners like date syrup if desired. I’ve also started taking the beauty oil from Neal’s Yard, a blend of oils to add extra moisture to the drying out caused by central heating and the cold outside. Also, I feel I’m really affected by the lack of sunshine so I wear yellow or light orange tinted glasses to mimic the sun's warmth. I will also be investing in some blue light filter glasses for my screen usage and to help promote tiredness for earlier nights.
When you need to get out of town, where in nature do you escape to?
Walks near and around devils dyke, I have a friend who knows some pretty special places (hi Donna and Blue if your reading). The seaside holds a very important freedom feeling for me, growing up in Brighton and spending a lot of time on Shoreham beach as a kid and the slightly more exotic southern Cyprus where some of my beautiful family live. But taking some time on your own with no music and just taking in a beautiful evening and people watching is actually very therapeutic. Not to mention the crashing of the water and low tide barefoot walks. I’d love to fresh water swim, I’ve yet to go past September in Brightons sea.
How do you like to spend your nights and/or weekends?
Evenings I love to either be in a deep conversational puddle with my dreamy friends at their various events and creative meetups, a few to mention:
One run by Bradley Tuck called Exploding Appendix, an expressive wonderment of complete freedom, educational talks to dada cabaret with live performance, a wonderful outlet and place to meet like minded creatives excited to keep learning and appreciating others.
I’ve also been going to a sauna group with guided meditation on Sundays at Beach Box Brighton hosted by Laura Brown and Liz Watson.
There’s lots of beautiful events run by Brighton girls!
I’ve met some wonderful healing souls at the mental health meetup hosted by Rosie Baggs, a big thank you for holding a safe space.
Seeing friends and especially connecting with a collective called Lucid Juice, these girls are rising and they are bringing the whole world's energy up with them.
So that, and working doing beautiful home hair. I like to go home and just rest, spend time with family, eat good food and maybe tarot and tea. I’d like to read more, but that’s a new habit in the making.
How do you unwind, recentre and find balance?
Sleep, cooking and just allowing time to do nothing and be comfortable. I really think singing is healing also.
What’s your favourite way to exercise?
I love to run and walk. I literally do sprint-ish vibes and then walk it out along the seafront, because im on my feet all day I don’t do very often, but I love it for the fresh air and for the space to think or listen and let your mind go, or when listening to a new playlist or the sea. I enjoy exercise but don’t do enough of it and planks I find are a good endurance and can be meditative.
Your favourite meal to cook?
Something with rice and lots of fresh veg and herbs with raw ginger chillies and cashews oven roasted lime, coconut milk maybe even, but not a necessary. Green food is my favourite so broccoli or spinach is a winner.. I also do love to make a roast, so wonderful to eat in a group The veg is very bright, crispy potatoes, leeks of course, lots of garlic , parsnips, amazing gravy from stock but im actually yet to find a way to make the perfect nut roast. Hit me up with a recipe please @loveyohair
Your favourite place to get dinner?
Milk No Sugar- big pho and veg salad, £11, Trafalgar Street
Moshimo- half price vegan weds
Red Snapper– try the hot vegan spring roll salad… I always have green curry too with coconut rice
In what ways do you work to find balance in your life? Eg. work, social, family, self
So I feel like one of the best things I’ve ever done was cut down on my drinking. And remember that what I’m looking for isn’t going to be at the Mashtun on a Saturday night. Believe me I’ve done my time looking. But what I’m striving for with balance is having the most energy for the things I’m most passionate about, so at the moment im putting a lot of thought into my career and work by having early nights full of researching techniques and giving my all at the salon. I also feel that spending quality time with friends is vital. Checking in, supporting each other, raising questions and finding answers you never thought of. We work so well communicating and manifesting our futures into fruition in a group of like minded souls and when you have amazing connections with friends. I believe being social and not just letting go is something that is changing my life for the better. Family have been pulled in closer recently and I believe it’s from me feeling calmer and more patient with everyone, just allowing the new dynamics, allowing change, forgiving mistakes and showing more love. Family is a tough one because everyone is so different and chosen family is just as important.
I’d say feel love and be kind to those you love whenever you can. We definitely get what we give out. And for myself, it’s keeping all the legs balanced on the table of life, but I also do treat myself to crystals, massage, oils and sauna as slow down reminders and treats.
What/where/who do you turn to when you need inspiration? What and who inspires you?
Instagram has actually been a little glorious tardis of inspiration and talent, here are some people that do by just being themselves:
I’m inspired by the work, passion and humbleness of @prosperxcollective doing some mad beautifulness in the USA with nutrition talks and showing the love in the creative spaces/ hair/ music/ people, helping me see creative healing happening other sides of the world gives me so much hope and drive. Speaking in the same soul language and showing that connection is beyond the physical realm.
A stunning artist I know in Brighton keeping me in awe since day one is @rinat, if you haven’t seen the beauty, I recommend highly.
This worlds queer community, the modern day punks showing the systems what’s what and being strong and powerful, creatively bold, pushing boundaries and breaking stereotypes.
All my friends being so in tune with their passions and being able to share mine.
@zack_avery - his work on himself, his pro-world and pro-love message that he’s spreading waving the flag for the future of fashion in sustainability and his work bringing festivals to teach how to see out from within.
Many hairdressers on Instagram and my clients beaming after new cuts is inspiration to be even better every time. Also tarot is very inspiring for a little nudge.
Last but not least, the sessions I took with Amy. The Luna Sadhana course was an absolute catalyst for many of the deep changes that have brought me to this sense of clarity and total acceptance, of highs and lows and how to hold a space to communicate all of it. I was listened to, the space was calm and free. I wasn’t judged, just met with total freedom to feel. The multi-sensory experience of the course was ideal for someone like me with my monkey mind. Changing up chats and tea, with yoga and guided meditation. Also learning accountability with journaling. I now feel I have the tools to talk to myself with respect, whether that’s honouring my past and my traumas, being accepting of the future, or bringing myself to appreciate the now. The course was a total necessary step in my journey and it still inspires me everyday. Thank you. I now see my journey and purpose from seeing you live yours. x
How would you describe your style?
Androgyny is my flame right now, it’s stylish and clean lines at the moment, just embracing this side of me for a little while. But I am flexible and can be anything on any day.
What is your definition of beauty?
Beaming, present, imperfection, raw, honest being true to yourself.
In what ways do you care for your mind, body and spirit?
Massage, walks, loved ones, being honest with myself, being forgiving to myself and others, and remembering that no body is perfect and nor am I.
What are you most grateful for?
My ability to question, my enjoyment and need to learn. I’m grateful for all my teachers on the daily. That goes to every single person I cross on my path. Special shout to those souls I’ve met before.
Current Favourite…
Book- I have a few on the go but The Power of Habit, Why we do what we do, and how to change was a book that helped me quit caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol, just because I can create new habits in place of so called bad ones.
Movie- THE TWELVE a tale of wisdom and unity. Le Ciel foundation. Really amazing manifestation cinematic and just so thought provoking. Please share once watched.
Song- there are to many check out on the playlist I was listening to and making whilst I was typing. 11:19 by pastport. The song on this very second was Entangled by Lorn
Podcast- if I’m honest I don’t really listen to them, I do enjoy Russell Brands chats from time to time and love listening to lecturers from all over the world talk about human behaviour, or anything TED talk style passion is so uplifting to listen to.
Clothing item- my Birkenstock grey wooly inside shoe, and any warm tinted sunglasses are some luxuries
Coffeeshop- it’s between Moksha, best food for tofu scramble and vegan benedict, the matcha is amazing. And the Guarana bar for its acai bowls, smoothies and matcha, also the other alkaline drinks and remedies are a healing bonus with smiles and feeling a warm welcome every time.
Can you share any big plans for 2020?
I have plans to change the act of hairdressing with a holistic approach and create a multi-sensory experience of a catalyst for change, inside and out. Bringing a safe space for self empowering growth, and to do more positive public speaking. My big plan is to learn, teach all I learn and do this with the goal of happiness in abundance and whilst meeting new parts of ourselves.
Where can we find you? Follow you?
@loveyohair on Instagram and Cuttlefish Hair, Brighton eco salon
Photos by Ioanna Alexia Kruizenga-Pitsilou
Posted 27.11.19
- THE ART OF PERSONAL PRACTICE & PROSPERITY -
