Are We Aging Gracefully? Namaste - AMORE STORIES - ENGLISH
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2024.04.25
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Are We Aging Gracefully? Namaste

A Journey to Graceful Aging: Wellness Life #1

 

Columnist

Jeong Ah-yun Communications Team

 

 

Editor’s note


At Amorepacific, we actively engage in the "Beautiful is YOU" campaign, an initiative that resonates with our corporate vision of "New Beauty." This campaign hopes to inspire everyone in our contemporary world to discover their true selves and lead healthier and happier lives. Naturally, this prompts one to ponder, "What about me?" Contemplating this, it seems that we should live as our names suggest. My name, Jeong Ah-yun, means 'beautiful,' which reinforces my belief that I should age gracefully as I get older. This realization has passionately propelled me into a wellness-focused lifestyle. Through my perspective and experiences with the wellness trend, I hope to offer you both a moment of respite and a wealth of inspiration.

 

 

#INTRO


To age gracefully, one must first move.
The necessity of movement for graceful aging is well-known, yet the beginning is always the most challenging part. Wanting to age gracefully and needing to move, yet above all, wanting to lose weight—where does one start? Gym workouts lack excitement; vigorous exercise is best avoided, and ideally, it should be something that comforts me. Eventually, everyone seems to arrive at the same destination: yoga. Hence, I gave it a try.

I believe an AI might explain the benefits of yoga better than I could. So, I intend to share the yoga trends and insights I've uncovered over the two years of my practice and my explorations of various trendy yoga studios.

 

 

[Namaste] I wish to share this column with:
• Those who wonder why yoga has captivated so many recently
• Those who see yoga merely as a flexibility exercise and are opposed to its distinct sacred aura
• Those who are curious about trying yoga but still face mental barriers
• Those seeking new challenges and experiences

 

 

1 Are you a Yogini?

 

Since starting yoga, the most common questions I've encountered are "Does yoga help you lose weight?" and "How often should you practice yoga per week?" I admit my initial motivation may have been rooted in these expectations. However, once I embarked on the yoga journey, these questions became more challenging to answer.

In essence, yoga originates from the Sanskrit word 'YUJ,' which means to yoke or bind—it's the concept of binding the 'mind' (free spirit) to the 'body' (physical human form). Yoga aims to achieve a state of freedom where the body and mind are unified through various practices like Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Mudras (hand gestures), and Bandhas (energy locks). While it might be considered philosophical, viewing yoga merely as a tool for weight loss or a physical routine misses the broader, daily concept it embodies.

Yet, as a second-year yogini1), I believe yoga can serve as a means for dieting, achieving goals, or escaping reality through meditation. Perhaps all these aspects are integral to what yoga is about. Ultimately, if practicing yoga brings happiness, isn't that the essence of true yoga?

If so, yes, I am a yogini!

 

1) Yogini: A spiritual practitioner who practices yoga and explores ways to control the body and mind freely.

 

 

2 The Greatest Joy of Yoga: Dōban

 

One of the most enriching aspects of being a yogini has been the formation of 'dōban'—fellow practitioners with whom I share the path. While we practice yoga in our own space, doing so simultaneously in the same room builds a camaraderie based on shared struggles and achievements. This naturally evolves into a supportive community. Engaging in yoga creates a bond that transcends generations, mixing diverse individuals who share a sense of belonging, comfort, and encouragement while occasionally exchanging valuable information.

Among the asanas every yogini aspires to master, the 'Headstand (Sirsasana)' was my first challenge alongside my dōban. We've seen considerable progress over months of practicing together and sharing tips. One day, my dōban suggested we take commemorative photos once we succeeded. Finally, after taking those photos and seeing various others, I realized a market exists catering specifically to yoginis of today's generation, offering a range of products and services designed to express personal identity.

 

 

(Left) Personal Photography / (Right) Source: Filmuma/Bukchon Yoga Studio

 

 

3 A Yogini’s Weekend Date

 

How does a yogini unwind? When planning weekend outings with dōban, we often select locations and times based on the schedules of yoga studios we're eager to try. Instead of visiting trendy studios featured on Instagram, we seek out lesser-known spaces offering lessons from admired instructors or studios with distinctive concepts. Reflecting the young generation's proactive approach to consuming spaces, the interior design of these yoga studios is as distinctive as the instructors' lessons. Each space conveys its message and fosters a unique community. I've been captivated by the charm of several such places, but let me introduce two particularly niche and memorable studios.

 

 

A tip for aging gracefully:
Class registration is typically monthly at smaller studios, with schedules provided accordingly. Sign-ups and information are primarily conducted via the official Instagram—promotional space and a vital channel for building close relationships between instructors and yoginis. If you're interested in a yoga studio, start by following it on Instagram. It's a great way to get information quickly. Don't hesitate to send a direct message if a class catches your eye. Most offer single-session tickets, allowing you to experience it with ease.

 

 

1) Yoga Khoyo (@yoga_khoyo)
Sometimes a magnificent performance, other times a community hub.

 

Source: Yoga Khoyo

 

 

[If You Visit Here]
Nestled near the Mangwon Market, a pilgrimage site for bakery enthusiasts, the area is bustling with cafes and bakeries. Wandering through the market’s quaint alleys, one might stumble upon a building housing a vegan dessert cafe and a pottery workshop. Ascend to the top floor, and you'll find the Yoga Khoyo studio. Stepping into this modest studio, one is greeted with a tranquility that seems to transport you to another world, true to the studio’s name.

 

[This Place’s Unique Classes]
The classes at Khoyo are as serene as the name suggests yet richly varied. The immersive space allows for a calm and profound practice, accompanied by carefully chosen music, scents, and singing bowls, awakening the senses like watching a performance. Moreover, the instructor picks a meaningful word from a piece of literature each session, inviting contemplation. One day, we were asked to reflect on the word ‘moderately.’ Often uttered in daily life, it's a word that prompts deeper introspection through the flow of asanas than one might expect, showcasing another charming facet of yoga.

 

[This Place’s Community]
The community activities at Khoyo also provide opportunities for reflection. They include pop-up events like a flea market to ponder objects' usefulness and a session of 108 Surya Namaskars (Sun Salutations) to ring in the New Year.

 

 

2) Unwind Yoga (@unwind_yoga_)
A gathering place for those who live each day with intention.

 

 

 

[If You Visit Here]
In the old neighborhood of Seodaemun-gu, maintaining its unique pace alongside Hongjecheon Stream, you enter the Yeonhui-dong residential area. The vivid colors of a blue gate might make you wonder, “Is this really a yoga studio? Is this Seodaemun?” However, surprisingly, these vivid colors and decorative elements add to the yoga experience, much like a refreshing breeze from Jeju’s sea.

 

[This Place’s Unique Classes]
Unwind features dawn practices starting at 6:10 AM. These 100-minute focused sessions might make you wonder if you can rise that early regularly—if so, try a single class. The space, and indeed the time, offer a unique sensory experience. Gathering in the dark hours of early morning, as you practice together, you realize many others are also starting their day with dedication, inspiring you to live the day with equal care. The morning vista post-practice also delivers a fresh wave of emotion.

 

[This Place’s Community]
After practice, it’s almost as if, by agreement, everyone gathers around the instructor for a tea circle. Although initially strangers, sharing tea, valuable information, everyday stories, and sometimes personal dilemmas fosters a loosely woven yet earnest sense of community.

 

 

4 Yoga Retreats and Yoga Picnics

1) Yoga 'Retreat': Was I the Only One Who Didn't Know?

 

Traditionally, a retreat is a journey where yoga practitioners seek enlightenment by withdrawing from external activities to enter a state of solitude. This concept has interlocked with the trend of experience-seeking among young consumers, manifesting in various travel packages, resort programs, and experiential offerings themed around healing, meditation, relationships, and wellness. From Jeju Island to Bali and the Himalayas, many yoginis embark on retreats where the simple presence of a yoga mat highlights yoga's universal applicability—practice anywhere, anytime.

One might question the expense and time invested in yoga. Still, the experience of mingling with like-minded individuals from various regions, each sharing similar interests, seems to resonate deeply with today's consumption-oriented generations.

 

 

Sources: Welly Trip Image / Himalayan Yoga www.instagram.com/yeo_dong_gu/

 

 

2) If Yoga Retreats Seem Daunting, How about a Yoga Picnic?

 

I've often dreamed of effortlessly embarking on a yoga retreat, but for those of us unable to whisk ourselves away, I explored the concept of a yoga picnic as an everyday retreat. Unlike studio sessions, practicing outdoors with fellow yogis feels like a joyful outing. Each asana changes with the landscape, heightening awareness of nature's unseen facets. Each time your face touches the mat, the scent of earth rises; during savasana, you might notice the sky changing hues with the breeze. After your practice, enjoy a simple picnic lunch and tea amidst nature! With the beautiful spring weather, it's definitely worth a try.

 

 

 

 

The second tip for aging gracefully!
If you want to step out of the routine and try something new but lack the energy to plan, just type 'yoga retreat/yoga picnic' into your search bar!

 

 

#OUTRO


If you've read this far, you might wonder, "So, did you lose any weight?" Unfortunately, no weight was lost, but I continued my yoga practice in pursuit of graceful aging. If you've never tried yoga, why not seize this opportunity for a new experience? Aging gracefully might mean managing stress and avoiding burnout effectively. Recent neuroscience research suggests that new experiences never tried before can help prevent burnout. Even if it seems initially irrelevant, moving your body into unfamiliar poses and feeling fresh stimuli in a new environment might help us all age more gracefully.

Yoga, with its unique allure that, can't be fully conveyed unless experienced firsthand, not even by generative AI. I encourage you to try it at least once—let's age gracefully together. Namaste.

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