IKEBANA + MEDITATION WORKSHOP
The ikebana and sound bath meditation workshop was led by two expert instructors: meditation instructor Jenny Chant and floral instructor Shelly Huynh. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement that has been practiced for centuries to bring nature into our homes by creating beautiful and harmonious floral arrangements. Similarly, sound bath meditation focuses on achieving balance and restoring harmony within ourselves using different instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, and chimes.
When combined, ikebana design and sound bath meditation create an even more powerful experience for both our minds and bodies as they both aim to bring balance to our lives through different approaches. Sound bath meditation uses specific frequencies to activate each of the seven main chakras including the sacral chakra which is associated with creativity, passion and sexuality. This frequency (417 Hz) can stimulate creativity and remove creative blocks when it is imbalanced or blocked.
By activating our sacral chakra through sound bath meditation , we may find that we have more intuition about how to create balance between different elements like color or shape leading to innovative creations. Moreover, mindfulness practices in general can facilitate access to new ideas when practicing any creative art that relies on harmony between elements such as floral arrangements.
Therefore combining ikebana design with sound bath meditation techniques can enhance one’s ability not only connect with their intuition but also tap into unexplored aspects of themselves resulting in a more fulfilling experience overall.
After the sound meditation session ended, refreshments were offered including sparkling water, dried fruits, snacks – but also oranges! Oranges are believed to possess purifying properties in Feng Shui practice making them incredibly auspicious across many Asian cultures.
During the ikebana class, participants were given minimal instructions as they selected their own blooms and began designing. With simple guidance, they were left to explore and trust their floral instincts resulting in intentional and unique arrangements.
It was personally intriguing to realize that during our ikebana and meditation workshop, the color orange was present without my knowledge. The color orange is strongly linked with the sacral chakra which governs creativity, passion and sexuality. This serendipitous occurrence could suggest that the atmosphere in the room was conducive to creativity and fresh ideas. It’s amazing how unique aspects can blend together to create a unified and meaningful experience!
Overall it was a wonderful experience of how unique aspects can blend together so perfectly resulting in such a meaningful experience for everyone involved.
PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Cook Photography
