Beyond the Connection of Nearest Dreams
Hello.
This may be sudden, but do you all have a “dream”?
This year, on the verge of turning 30, I let go of the career I had built up until now. Work, money, social standing, vanity, titles. When I stripped away all the weights I had been carrying, I felt as if I had been laid bare.
Single, around 30, unemployed.
As if I were slowly cleaning up my heart, which had turned pitch black and was covered in dust.
Today, I would like to write about the “dream of my life” that I have decided to carve out from scratch, and the “nearest dreams” I am connecting to reach it.
It looks like it will be a very long story... (laughs). I would be happy if you could bear with me.
1. Yoga and I.
I first encountered yoga in my second year as a working professional, when I was beginning to feel exhausted both mentally and physically from my demanding job. It was just when I was feeling desperate after being dumped by my partner, who was my only support at the time.
I cannot forget the strange sensation I felt when I did yoga for the first time.
A small, quiet room. A dimly lit ceiling. A body stiffened to the core. Breath that I couldn't take in deeply. A body sinking into the mat. The teacher's gentle voice saying, "It's okay not to try so hard."
“Oh. I was pushing myself too hard.”
It wasn't enough to make me sick, but I felt as if my body was screaming because of the accumulation of daily “effort” and “pushing myself”.
I remember tears spilling out unexpectedly.
“Yoga might be good.”
From there, while practicing various types of "yoga," I encountered a traditional form of yoga called “Yoga Therapy”.
Yoga has textbooks called "scriptures." They contain the purpose of practicing yoga and hints for living life well.
Having always liked psychology and philosophy, I had studied psychology in university and read books of that nature, but among them, the yoga scriptures had the biggest impact on me.
“Yoga can lighten not just the body, but the heart as well.”
Before I knew it, while working as a company employee, I had started studying yoga therapy and obtained an instructor's certification.
And it was precisely because of the teachings of yoga that I was able to listen to the voice of my own mind and body, and make the decision to let go of my entire career just before turning 30.
"Through yoga, I want to heal the mind and body."
In today's stressful society, I want to become one of the options for people like my former self who, while not exactly ill, are carrying some kind of malaise.
With that thought in mind, I decided to follow my mentor and commit myself to the path of yoga.
2. Acupuncture and I.
It was just before I quit my job as a company employee.
I was lying in bed, unable to move.
"Serious and a hard worker"—my personality was my undoing, and it seems I had lost my mental and physical balance without even realizing it.
I finally managed to take some time off from work, but my mind didn't feel clear at all.
"If I do yoga, surely something will change."
I thought so in my head, but my body felt as heavy as lead, and I couldn't move.
That was when I encountered acupuncture and moxibustion.
Being sensitive to pain, I absolutely hate needles. I thought, 'Sticking needles into my body? No way...!' but in order to do something about my leaden body, I decided to try acupuncture and moxibustion, which I had been interested in for some time.
"Oh, acupuncture isn't as painful as I expected..."
The low-level stimulation transmitted to my body. The sensation of the muscles where the needles were inserted gradually loosening, and my breathing becoming deeper. A relaxation I had never felt before. Consciousness fading away along with drowsiness. The warmth of the moxibustion enveloping my body.
I felt my body and mind, which had been pushing themselves so hard for so long, gently loosen up. And I cannot forget the lightness of heart and the refreshed feeling I had when I got up after the treatment was over.
"Acupuncture and moxibustion can relax not just the body, but the mind as well."
Wouldn't my range of skills expand if I could do acupuncture and moxibustion in addition to yoga?
"Through acupuncture and moxibustion, I want to deliver healing and vitality to those who are too distressed and immobile to move."
With this thought in mind, I decided to knock on the door of an acupuncture and moxibustion vocational school in the spring of my 29th year.
3. My dream.
''Mind and body are connected.''
Having experienced this firsthand, I began to think, “I want to do something to help maintain a healthy mind and body!”
Stressful days. Days overflowing with information. Days passing by at a tremendous speed.
Walking on eggshells to fit in with those around us, or running around for someone important, like for nursing care or child-rearing. Immersing ourselves in work and pushing too hard, or getting exhausted by human relationships.
We are so focused on what is right in front of us that we always put ourselves last. By the time we realize it, our bodies and minds may have already worn thin.
“I want to create a place where you can take a breather, care for yourself, and face yourself.”
For those who need an approach from the body, acupuncture and moxibustion. For those who need an approach from the mind, yoga and counseling.
While also offering advice on things that can be incorporated into self-care, such as dietary regimens learned through Eastern medicine or posture improvement learned through Western medicine.
I want to deliver “tailor-made healing” that is customized for each individual.
It’s not a hospital, but it’s not medicine either. It’s not a psychosomatic clinic, but it’s not just counseling either. It’s not quite a gym, but I want to move my body. I can’t spend much money or time, but I want to reduce stress through self-care.
A place and time where you can move your body a little in a comfortable space, vent or chat without worrying about others, step away from your daily routine for a moment, smile, and feel lighter in mind and body, thinking, ‘I can do my best for another month!’
Actually, I was the one who wanted this! A place like this! (laughs)
This is the “life dream” that I found when I was feeling empty.
And to make this dream come true, I need to connect many “nearest dreams.”
Passing the national exam for acupuncture and moxibustion. Continuing my online yoga studio and YouTube activities steadily for a long time. Facing those I meet with sincerity. Challenging myself with in-person yoga and events. Studying the scriptures of yoga. Finding a wonderful place someday to open a shop. Becoming a shop loved by the community. Connecting many relationships...
I’m fine with taking the local train. Even though the express trains keep passing me by, I want to advance toward my “life dream” by taking one steady step at a time, which I call my “nearest dream.”
4. Finally.
By putting it into words like this, I was able to realize once again that it makes me feel more positive...!
The process of making a dream come true is always accompanied by effort, setbacks, and failures.
When I feel like giving up or my motivation is low, I remember my dreams like this. I was able to feel the significance of things like encouraging myself.
It is truly, “never forget your beginner's spirit”, isn't it◎
The cold is increasing, so please take care of yourselves.
See you next time◎