Yep, yogis' favourite flower, the beautiful lotus |
Not only did we see the "bright lights, big city" that Tokyo is, we also got to see some older gems embedded between the tall buildings and the public transportation network.
The purification fountain, important step not to be missed before going further in the Meiji Jingu sanctuary |
"Prayer tree" at Meiji Jingu |
Shinto is the most important religion in Japan, along with, of course, Buddhism.
"Red Lantern" shrine in Asakusa |
The Great Buddha of Kamakura, 13,35 meters tall, impressive and so peaceful! |
A vast majority of Japanese people believe and happily mix the two traditions. Our guide Eri, a middle-aged Japanese woman who spoke a verey good French, prayed in all the shrines and temples we visited. After all, the more you believe, the more your are protected right?
Onto a whole different subject but it belongs to tradition to:
Traditional meal in Kamakura |
It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was to me, as I am a vegetarian and have been for about a year and a half. I know finding the right food for us would be difficult, especially as we went to traditional restaurants with our guide, so we decided to just let go and adapt.
I didn't go vegetarian because of yoga, but I think it fits in the way I practice yoga, this is part of my way of respecting ahimsa. That said, what also fits in my way of practicing yoga is to be alive and not die from starvation. Food was offered to me, it would have been plain rude to turn it down, not to mention how hungry I was after all the walking, and I ate it. And to be completely honest, it was the best fish I've ever had. Ever. Melt-in-your-mouth fish. I figured that if I was to have fish for the last time, it would have to be in Japan, of all places. The only thing I couldn't bring myself to eat was meat. The mere sight of meat made my stomach pull an ice-skating programme, triple axels and all.
I don't feel guilty, I feel ok, and now that I overdosed on fish I'm back to vegetarianism. And it suits me fine.
Other confession: I stayed off the mat most of the time. Easy, given that technically I didn't have a yoga mat, but the carpet of the room floor at the hotel. My practice consisted in enjoying, seeing, feeling, spending quality time with Lovely Boyfriend and just taking care. Great practice if you ask me :-)
Oh, it looks beautiful! I'd love to go to Japan one day.
ReplyDeleteTraveling is it's own form of yoga, in my opinion... :)
love how you've captured the seamless blend between modernity and tradition in japan. it's such a fascinating culture. i lived there for 2 years and discovered new things every day. even in my last weeks, i was trying new foods that i had no idea existed.
ReplyDeletei also abandon my practice when i travel ~ it's too much pressure. i find that travel situations give me space to apply what i've learned in my practice. although it's too bad you didn't get to check out a japanese yoga studio. i'm very curious about how japan has embraced yoga... when i lived there 10 years ago, there wasn't a yoga studio anywhere.