One country that I have a love of is Japan. I first visited this special country 20 years ago with my husband before we were married. He had a few friends who had moved there after university and had already a love of the people and culture. Many years later we returned with our children to share the experience with them – and create a love with the next generation of the people, the food and the Japanese culture.
When I first started Mandala living I loved visiting Japan to search for unique fabrics that we could use for our cushions. In my experience the Japanese have a love and skill for detail, creativity and quality. We have missed being over to head over to Japan these last 2 years however we have some gorgeous fabrics which have been designed and created in Kyoto. Inspired by nature, we call it our Japanese cotton collection (Cherry blossom, Mandala and Stripe.)
Our meditation cushions and neck pillows are also filled with Australian buckwheat hulls, sourced from rural NSW. The Japanese have long used buckwheat hulls as a filler in their pillows otherwise known as a Sobakawa. They are considered a hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant choice since they provide excellent airflow.
Our neck pillows are popular with people suffering from injuries, Parkinsons and sore necks and backs. The buckwheat moulds to your body and provides support where needed.
I love that the Japanese have an expression for everything. Jac Lewis from www.thebroadplace.com also has a love affair with Japan and in her beautiful book called High Grade living she shares some fab Japanese expressions.
Zengosaidan – placing all your efforts into each day so that you have no regrets and no need to grieve or worry about the past. Not letting ourselves get weighed down with worries Kyo – jitsu – when something is too full, something else has to be empty. Yohaku ‘ the blank space within Japanese art’. Surrounding the painted parts with space celebrates and enhances them. ‘ Yohaku is a concept you can invite into your life as well., the spaces around your activities can heighten your experience. When everything is rushed or scheduled too tightly, there is no yohaku. Ultimately this leaves us feeling exhausted.
Creating yohaku in your life could include finding space to sit and breathe between meetings, slowing down your heart rate and mind. Try starting the day without technology, giving yourself space before the days activities and noise begins. When working take regular breaks from your desk or task to re-centre. ‘ (High Grade living)
For me, post lockdown as we are entering the silly season – creating Yohaku is even more important for finding balance and enjoying this time.
If you would like to learn more about mindful living, check out High grade Living by Jac Lewis or visit www.thebroadplace.com for information on their meditation courses.
