Lazy summer nights must include books and sunshine. Some of us read the books. Others use them as pillows when napping. Both ways are allowed and encouraged.
(Helsinki, Finland; July 2016)
Category Archives: Lifestyle
Interlude: cats and coloring books
Lovely ones, it has been a crazy few months. When I have not been looking at my computer or out of an airplane window, these have been my two favorite views: piled up on the balcony with the cats, and my coloring book. And the seashore of course – see a photo a few posts back.
They say that a purring cat and coloring both set the brain on the wavelength of deep meditation. Perhaps my body is wiser than my mind, because my mind certainly has not allowed much time for meditation exercises as such. But I am still waving and not yet drowning. And I have a few lovely things coming up from the French Riviera where I resurfaced a week ago, for a quick breather.
I wish you all soothing times with loudly purring cats and time to breathe.
(Helsinki, Finland; May 2016)
Samastitihi
Samastitihi. The first word you may hear in a lead ashtanga yoga class (provided there is no opening chant). Samastitihi. Stand at the front edge of your mat, feet together, heels just slightly apart, spreading your toes (if you can – I never seem to manage). Legs engaged, spine straight, arms relaxed but ready for action on your sides, gaze forward. Then push your toes down against the ground.
It’s all about the ground, and grounding. Even if it may look like a call into action. Samastitihi is about finding your balance just by standing still, truly feeling your center of weight settle down on its vertical axis. In samastitihi, a body could grow roots through the mat and into the ground, and leaves from the head. In samastitihi, the body could pull up energy from the ground, run it through the spine, and push it out through the top of the head.
Unless you practise yoga (or do military service), when have you last stood still? When did you last stand with your feet together instead of kind of hanging on one foot, or with your arms on your sides instead of crossing them anywhere on your body? When was the last time you stood still, gazing in one direction only? When did you last stand grounded, aware of how gravity of our huge Earth does its best to pull down every bone in your body while you keep holding your head up high?
Samastitihi is about coming back to the present moment. Being aware of the Earth that pulls us with all its might, but standing straight. It is about standing in a mindful stillness, instead of kind of hanging upright, or running around, or sitting down slouching. And the best thing is, samastitihi does not require a yoga mat or flexibility, only the readiness to steady one’s body and mind and to be willing to say to oneself: “this is me, living this moment, with my back straight and my gaze forward.”
(Helsinki, Finland; April 2016)
The baseline
Between the airmiles and meetings and deadlines it is imperative to find the baseline, to sleep, and to enjoy waking up late. My idol is Cassandra the Russian Blue, who sleeps about 20 hours a day, usually curled up against her friend Ramses the Bombay. And when she is not sleeping she is all concentration: from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail she focuses on one thing only at a time. No sidesteps. Just results. And then more sleep.
Cats are masters of mindfulness.
(Helsinki, Finland; January 2016)
A room of one’s own – part two
Sometimes it is nice to share a room with someone. To share tranquility and hot tub bubbles with someone. And other times, well, other times it is nice to simply have a room of one’s own. A book, thoughts wrapped into a travel bag and let free while the hot tub warms cold bones.
And sometimes it is lovely to be the only one breakfasting by herself, with a good book. Especially at those rare moments when the breakfast is accompanied by live piano music.
(Långvik spa, Kirkkonummi, Finland; November 2015)
Afternoon tea with Lady Georgiana Cavendish
Lazy Sunday afternoon sunlight drizzled through a window and hit gold: her golden hair, golden violin strings, and golden decorations on the grand piano. There was lovely music in the air, and fluttering sleeves and rustling taffeta skirts. Lady Georgiana Cavendish was alive again just for this day – and she had brought her talented friends. And meringues. And tea cakes. And much humor.
Slowly sipping a fresh cup of darjeeling we enjoyed this parenthesis of a Sunday, an afternoon when time stood still. Where music and meringue towers were most important to all those present.
(Helsinki, Finland; October 2015)
Good things in life
Good things in life: new journal (from Liberty in London), new ink, and a 20-year-old wooden dip pen. Time for low-profile summer living.
(Helsinki, Finland; July 2015)
One cold midsummer
Last midsummer was cold. This midsummer was cold and rainy. But there were still flowers. And cuckoos. And a light night. But on an average summer, there would not be lilacs anymore, and the fields would be green with wheat sprouts. Global warming, where did you go?
(Loviisa, Finland; June 2015)
Any random Saturday
Any random Saturday one could be tidying the house and doing the laundry – or one could relax by the sea. Summer is short. Which one do you choose?
(Helsinki, Finland; June 2015)
Above the rooftops
Samba carnival on a rainy cold June Saturday. It’s a stubborn weather curse. But we had sparkling wine above the rooftops. It may have been worse for the dancers.
(Helsinki, Finland; June 2015)
This blue marble 