Return to Earth
Yoga, Meditation & Snorkeling
Reconnect to Mother Earth and yourself in the vast nature of Okinawa
Return to Earth
Every time I am stressed or overwhelmed I notice one thing: I have been feeling disconnected from nature.
Just because I live right next to vast nature doesn’t mean that I am constantly at peace with myself. It is so easy to get swallowed into the dizzyingly fast-paced modern culture. I notice myself often feeling like a child who’s locked up in a room frantically looking for a way out except that the door was unlocked and all I have to do was pull, not push.
We are fortunate to meet with so many people from across the world. Okinawa is a tourist destination with many benefits with now protected forest and countless beaches that surround us. People from around the world, including local Japanese tourists from the main land, visit Okinawa. What’s great about living here is that even tough it is a tourist destination, we live in the northern region, called Yanbaru, which means a mountain field, dense forest. With centennials who have been preserving the areas, we don’t really get that busy hustle and bustle of tourism except in the middle of the summer. Most of the time, we are still tucked in the countryside, unknown from the big cities and, much like the Hobbits, we are simply content to stay in this area. Even in the highest of high season, it’s not uncommon to find ourselves all alone on a beautiful beach.
Reminders of natural beauty here are everywhere. And it is here, that I would like to offer THIS experience. Something I get to do whenever I feel lost or depleted: Return to Earth. Because the feeling of returning to Earth is returning to our true selves. To find the deepest, long lasting relaxation, to let your shoulders soften, and forget the rest of the daily grinds, we can spend time here in this beautiful land and sea, letting the slowly rolling waves inspire us to be slow and be still.
Researchers have also been looking at detrimental effects of disconnection from nature.
- An American psychologist, Dr. Peter H. Kahn says “we need to deepen the forms of interaction with nature and make it more immersive.”(*1)
- Richard Louv who coined the term, Nature Deficit Disorder says, “in a safe environment, time spent nature reduces significant amount of stress, lowering blood pressure, increasing immune system, reducing nervous system arousals.” (*2)
- Studies have found that spending 120minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and well-being (*3)
- And there’s so much more research!
So I combined what I love: yoga, snorkeling, meditation, and attentiveness to the relationship between our culture and nature.
This is how our time together will typically unfold:
- 50minutes of yoga āsana practice on the beach to REmind ourselves of pure nature of being human
- 15minutes of breathing and meditation including walking meditation, earthing and relaxing to REconnect us to the divine nature of being part of this planet
- Approx. 1.5 hour including a short introduction of Okinawa marine life, the impact of our modern fast-paced culture on Mother Earth to REeducate ourselves, snorkeling preparation, snorkeling and final relaxation
It will take about half a day and you will return refreshed and relaxed back to your life.
If you are new to yoga, meditation or snorkeling, it is absolutely ok. My intention is for you to find peace and the sense of grounding within yourself.
For booking and inquiries
Hi, My name is Tomomi. I’ve been teaching yoga in different parts of the world for 16 years to people with different backgrounds and belief systems. It is my passion to teach yoga that doesn’t end in postures and exercises. When I was studying for B.Sc(Psych) in a university in Canada, I met yoga. I was lucky to have been taught by countless teachers who were rooted in traditions that did not forget yogic philosophy.
Now, I use their teachings daily through my private yoga sessions or yogic counseling sessions.
My sessions are either online or in-person.
If you are interested, you can have a look HERE.
References
*1 – Peter H. Kahn https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health#:~:text=These%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,reduce%20anxiety%2C%20and%20improve%20mood.
*2 – Richard Louv, https://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/
*3 – White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3