Zen Breathing

This morning, Tokyo Skytree was backdropped with an endless cerulean blue.

Perhaps due to the travel yesterday, we were all feeling tired. So we rested up after breakfast. We just took it easy, letting the sun warm us up as its rays climbed through the windows. Our Zen Breathing workshop was not until after lunch time.

We passed by Meikei Dori on the way to the train station. It was a small street that featured Europeanesque architecture.

When we arrived at Yoyogi Station, we revived at a juice booth. Mom had been enjoying the persimmons abundant in the grocery shops and so she was curious to try it in shake form. It did not disappoint with a pleasant, mild piquancy. Next to the shop there was a food stall selling sweet and savoury pastries. Mom and Dad bought some.

After a few minutes walk, we finally arrived at our AirBnB experience host's studio. Yuki gave us a warm welcome, full of smile. Instantly we were all at ease. She started the session with casual introductions. She shared her health status and her health history. She then asked each of us of our expectations from the experience and if we had any health related woes.

Zen Breathing is diaphragmatic breathing - the way in which all humans first breathe. Unfortunately the society and modern science promulgates the opposite. To unlearn chest breathing and relearn diaphragmatic breathing is definitely easier said than done. As Yuki worked on our deficits with proper posture and belly breathing, we began to feel a slight difference. Although I felt a slight discomfort. Maybe it is awareness of dormant muscles now being used.

By the end of the workshop, it felt like we just finished a relaxed catch up with a tomodachi (friend). Yuki then prepared matcha accompanied by Japanese sweets. She allowed us to whisk our own tea with the traditional bamboo chasen. Then she instructed us to have one sweet treat each prior to sipping the slightly frothed green tea. This way, its bitterness was made more palatable.

Later she took out an origami-like globe and asked us to affix a pin to represent the cities where we live. Seeing pins in three different locations, she clapped with delight. Usually her guests come from only one location. And to add to her excitement, my sister was the very first Canadian to attend her workshop.

Yuki gave us warm hugs when it was time for goodbye.

We then tried to locate Yoyogi Park to capture some Autumn foliage, however it got too dark and the walk was unexpectedly long, so we ended up taking the train back to our side of the city.

From the train station we tried to explore Matsuzakaya Mall to look for a place for dinner. They only had expensive, fine dining restaurants which did not appeal to us. We headed back down to the street level and walked towards KFC near another train station.

We all ordered the same dish - breaded teriyaki chicken with crispy noodles and steamed white rice sprinkled with Nori on top. Despite the Japanese flavours, the chicken still had the distinct KFC goodness. We all thoroughly enjoyed its uniqueness.

My sister then quickly made her way back to the mall as she found out online that Morozoff had a stall there (it was the purveyor of sweet treats to be given to loved ones during Valentine's day). She wanted to try their cheesecake.

She only managed to buy a chocolate and a custard pudding as the cheesecakes were sold out as early as 2pm. But still, there was a hint of joy in our stride as we sauntered back to our unit.

Along the way, we passed by this café called Dean and Deluca and they offered some Hoji and Marron latte that I could not resist. It was a beautiful, warming drink on this cool night, the chestnut flavour as well as the light green tea were married well.

Arriving in our home in Tokyo, we were satiated and relaxed and hoped that Yuki's belly breathing will ensure we don't gain extra pounds as she promised while we enjoyed some pudding. They were both extremely delightful, not too rich or sweet, but just right. Meanwhile, the Skytree shone in the distance with the clouds already starting to amass.Read more