Embracing Autumn: A Season of Change and Reflection
Although this autumn is so much warmer than usual, we have started to see leaves changing colours slowly around the retreat area.
I always love this seasonal transitions in Japan, autumn to winter, winter to spring, spring to summer, and then autumn again. As we have such distinct seasons, the view shifts and changes month by month, week by week with different colours, different scents and breezes, and that is absolutely beautiful.
Now we have finished 2 retreat programs for this autumn, and there is one last that will start this week. To people who joined us (or will be joining soon) from USA, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Australia, Norway in this season, please let us say a big big ARIGATO to all of you. Thank you so much for coming all the way and creating memories together with us!
In our Yoga & Culture retreats, we offer various cultural activities on top of the daily yoga practices in the program. As I could only introduce a part of it (because we have so many activities!) in the previous newsletter, I would like to share a little bit more today.
In the Kimono workshop, we learn bits and pieces about Kimono from two special local professionals. You choose your favorite kimono piece and a belt from various pieces, and after putting them on, we learn the basics of Japanese traditional dance.
Of course, we have some photo shooting time outside after that. It’s such a fortunate that we have a beautiful Japanese garden at the center, which is the perfect spot to take Kimono photos!
In the Zazen and Shakyou (Buddhism Calligraphy) practice, you will be guided by a local Buddhism monk. This is also a great opportunity for us to ask whatever we like to know about the monk training, the life as a monk, etc.
We all practice writing (tracing) short mantras with intention, and the monk also chants the mantras for us. After we write our wishes at the side of the Shakyou sheet, he usually brings our them back to his temple, and offer them to the ritual fire place for our wishes to come true.
Our Forest Therapy Walk is the perfect activity in order to understand the Japanese concept “Forest Bathing / Shinrin-yoku”. We walk through bamboos, cedar trees and cypresses while hearing the soothing sound of the water stream alongside.
In Japan, there is a certification system in Forest therapy trails, and only the places that meet the requirements and pass some scientific tests (the level of oxygen, etc) can be certified as a Forest Therapy Road. The place we go for therapy walking is one of the few certified trails in Fukuoka.
This Japanese plant dye workshop is the time when we wake up our inner artists! We choose different materials/fabrics and choose the colors. The colors depend on the seasonal availability, but there are cherry blossoms, pomegranates, Japanese pagoda trees, madder trees and so on.
Using Japanese Shibori technique, we can create patterns (the white part in the picture above). We all have happy cheers when we unfold and spread the fabric to see the whole pattern!