いつもの生活に世界のスパイスを。

Cafetalk Tutor's Column

David 講師のコラム

Making chopsticks + going with the flow!

2017年10月31日

Despite the storm on Yakushima, we were determined not to be beaten and made sure we had a thoroughly enjoyable stay, regardless of the weather!

One of the highlights of our trip was attending a traditional wood crafting workshop, at a local family run business in the village. They make all sorts of wooden crafts using the local 'Yakusugi' wood, or Japanese cedar as it is sometimes known.

We were excited to be given this rare opportunity to make our own chopsticks from this wood, using the traditional tools and methods that have been passed down for many years!

I found the experience of wood crafting strangely similar to yoga (I know this sounds strange!) in the sense that it is essential to remain mindful and focused throughout both practices. In yoga if you are not centred on what you are doing, you will not be able to maintain a pose due muscle pain or loss of balance. Similarly to this, in wood crafting, you have to be very precise with the tools and pay constant close attention or you will either take too much of the wood off and ruin your craft (there is no way to put wood back on once it has been removed!) or perhaps you will cut yourself with the sharp tools.

Despite being a yoga teacher and practicing mindfulness on a daily basis (I am still a student myself!) I lost concentration for a moment and looked over at what my girlfriend (Ashley) was doing. This brief relapse in mindfulness cost me, and I ended up cutting my finger with the plane! 

The wood was stained (literally!) by this, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase - putting 'blood, sweat and tears' in to my craft!!!

Overall this was a wonderful experience and one which I will cherish. We didn't let the weather beat us, and we got to experience many things on this magnificient island that we would not have seen if the weather had been nice and sunny due to all of the hiking. 

In times like this we should be happy of whatever the world gives us, not resisting the fact we had plans which we were unable to do, but instead flowing with what we WERE given and creating new plans and enjoyable experiences from this.

The most important questions still remains - do we use the chopsticks to eat with, or do we keep them as a souvenir and memento of this incredible time?

Part of me wants to use them, as they were created personally by us, to fit our hands and customized each to our own unique eating and holding style. But the other part of me wants to keep them in immaculate condition, wrapped up in their nice little packages that we finished them in! Perhaps despite getting rid of the majority of my possessions in the UK before travelling, I still have too much attachment. I am still a student myself, and will keep working on this  :-)

Either way - they will remain an important memory of our time on Yakushima, and how we did not let a bit of rain (and a serious typhoon!) ruin our travels

Have an artistic day everyone!

David

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I am a highly experienced professional English teacher, Yoga Instructor, Nutrition Consultant and Personal Trainer from London, UK. I recently left London to work and travel around Japan on a Working Holiday Visa with my girlfriend Ashley (who is also a teacher on Cafetalk : https://cafetalk.com/tutors/profile/?id=54542&lang=en ). We love sharing adventures travelling, teaching, exploring and understanding new cultures. We hope to speak with you soon!

Please check out my lessons if you are interested in learning real, authentic British English, or have an interest in Yoga, healthy eating or general health and fitness.

Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a lesson at a time in which my schedule is not open. I will always do my best to accomodate every student.

本コラムは、講師個人の立場で掲載されたものです。
コラムに記載されている意見は、講師個人のものであり、カフェトークを代表する見解ではありません。

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