A Guide to Combining Floristry with Yoga
Floristry and yoga are both practices that celebrate the beauty of life, encourage mindfulness, and promote a sense of connection with nature. Integrating floristry into your yoga routine can enhance your overall experience, bringing more awareness to your surroundings and enriching your practice. Here’s how to combine these two disciplines effectively. In the philosophy of Floristry Art of Living Founder Emily (Hong Kong’s renowned floral artist), this is how flowers become the mindfulness inspired journey towards the art of meditation.
1. Create a Floral Altar
Set up a floral altar in your yoga space. Choose a spot where you practice regularly and decorate it with a selection of fresh flowers. This could include your favourite blooms or seasonal varieties that inspire you.
Select Flowers with Intent: Choose flowers based on their meaning. For example, lavender for calm, peonies for protection, or sunflowers for positivity.
Arranging the Flowers: Use a simple vase or a more intricate arrangement to express yourself. This visual focal point can help ground you as you begin your yoga practice.
2. Mindful Flower Arrangement
Integrate a mindful flower arranging session before or after your yoga practice. This acts as a meditative exercise, allowing you to engage with nature and cultivate presence.
Set Your Intention: Before starting, take a moment to focus on your intention for the session. This could relate to your yoga practice or personal growth.
Focus on the Process: As you arrange the flowers, pay attention to the colours, textures, and scents. Allow yourself to become fully absorbed in the act of creating.
3. Practising Yoga with Floral Inspiration
Incorporate concepts from floristry into your yoga practice. This can refine your focus and enhance your connection to the natural world.
Flower-Inspired Poses: Use flower names for your poses (e.g., Lotus pose or Cobra pose). Visualise the flower as you move through the pose, connecting your body to its essence.
Breath Work: As you inhale, imagine drawing in the essence of flowers. Exhale slowly, visualising the release of energy like petals falling gently to the ground.
4. Seasonal Flow
Align your yoga practice with the seasons by incorporating seasonal flowers. This can deepen your relationship with the natural cycles of life.
Spring: Focus on renewal and growth with fresh blooms like daffodils and tulips during your practice.
Summer: Embrace vitality with sunflowers and daisies, allowing their warmth to uplift your energy.
Autumn: Bring balance using mums and asters, reflecting on transition and gratitude.
Winter: Incorporate evergreen branches and holly to connect with resilience during the quieter months.
5. Ending with Gratitude
Conclude your sessions—both floristry and yoga—with a moment of gratitude.
Gratitude Journaling: Take time to record what you appreciate about the flowers you've arranged and the journey of your yoga practice.
Meditation with Flowers: Sit quietly among your flowers, visualising the joy they bring. Reflect on the lessons they impart about life's impermanence and beauty.
Combining floristry with yoga fosters a deeper awareness of the cycles of life and beauty surrounding us. Each practice complements the other, encouraging mindfulness and creativity. Embrace this synergy and allow your yoga experience to bloom alongside the floral inspirations you incorporate.