Life & Work with Tengku Chanela Jamidah Ibrahim

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tengku Chanela Jamidah Ibrahim.

Hi Tengku Chanela Jamidah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was once considered a “celebrity”, “socialite” and “influencer” appearing on over 20+ magazine covers, various Tv shows and all sorts of press and media. I started my journey and public life at 17, as one of the finalists of the MTV VJ hunt. In Asia, if you are in fashion you become part of the inner circle – you end up being awarded so much privilege, especially during the age of social media. I remember the days where I was always gifted, I would have boxes and boxes of goods sent to my home that I had no idea what to do with. I would say my life up until the time I left Malaysia in 2018 was a whirlwind, I had a successful career – I started of as a brand manager for a luxury watch and jewelry company, then later creating my own companies – from a sustainable design collective, a multi-brand store, numerous fashion lines and a cosmetics brand. It may have looked like a dream from the outside, but on the inside I was starved. I wasn’t honouring my true purpose and calling.

I was left with no choice but to take myself out of that environment and come to the US to reset, to rebuild a life that invites peace and fulfillment. Here I am now, a couple of years later now using my voice to serve the underprivileged, speaking up about the injustices happening in my country around the prohibition of Cannabis all while being able to live a life that serves me in the best way. I am now a certified sound bath facilitator and creator of the #jiwaritual a fully sensorial holistic experience, with a focus on ancestral remedies that bring healing and much needed calm and balance to our body, mind and spirit. I am also working to support the legalization of Cannabis across countries in Asia, creating partnerships between the public and private sectors. I am a multi-ethnic, multi-faceted single mom living in LA, plant-loving, beach walking, sunset chasing, free spirit. Living fully in gratitude with the universe, inviting and attracting only high vibrational experiences, people and projects into my life and using turtle magic to take it one step at a time.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
In Malaysia, there are certain cultural practices and societal norms ingrained in the minds of its people. It has become a way of life for most. The challenge is to break way from that norm and successfully separate oneself from the expectations. You are often talked about, discriminated against or even socially shunned if you are seen as too extreme and non-conformist. So the road has been a little bumpy, this also helps one grow and gives you an opportunity to overcome these obstacles. I also feel that if your home, personal and individual needs are not met, it will be like a poison that affects everything you touch in business and all else. So in order for you to be in your rhythm you need to honour yourself and your truths.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started @jiwaspace end of 2019. I don’t like defining it as a business or a brand. I would call it a safe and sacred space where I create offerings to the community, use it as a creative platform and to explore Wellness and Holistic practices that aligns with my inner being. Coming from a family that is truly diverse and having parents that are Malaysian, Spanish, Filipino and some native blood. I feel that living in both the East and West, immersing myself in various cultures and environments made me consciously or sub-consciously pickup all the energy and inspiration to create something authentic and unique. I noticed all the energy shifts around me that in my own healing journey, I wasn’t the only one hurting on a physical and emotional level. There were so many others that needed guidance.

I chose to become a guide that uses the rich and diverse heritage and teachings of my ancestors to remind others that there are ways to help themselves. That the answers can be found within and through ritual, mindfulness practices and coming back to a vibration of love. My practice is not attached to a religion or dogma, there have been studies made on the effectiveness of sound healing to lower blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and more. The study of epigenetics and quantum physics proves that what I do at JIWA is factually supported. I feel so proud that what once came to me as a vision whilst I was in meditation, is now a reality and that so many have received my sound baths feel much lighter and happier. For generations, Colonialists and the West have taken ancient Eastern teachings and adapted them as their own. For me, representation matters and honouring generational wisdom is something that needs to be cultivated and claimed by the BIPOC community. I am here to offer this gift through JIWA, JIWA means soul/spirit in Malay.

What’s next?
For JIWA – I am working on a full digital revamp of the website and socials. Be ready to see some fresh music and meditations as well as some special collaborations and product offerings. Another vision I have is a physical space, I have this idea in my head of exactly what it looks like, sounds like, smells like and feels like. One day soon! On the cannabis front, I am working towards legalization and creating educational campaigns that de-stigmatize and offer information with community building in mind. I am a true believer of social good and impacting communities in the most positive and long-lasting sustainable way.

Contact Info:

• Email: tcjamidah@gmail.com
• Website: www.jiwaspace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcjamidah/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcjamidah