#365daysofyoga - WEEK 20

Two things I've learned about myself over these past 20 weeks are contradicting to each other: I love food and equally as much I don't like being heavy. Nourishment and joy vs not liking what I see in the mirror and how certain movements feel with extra kilos. Logically I recognize all the changes that happened since I was a teenager: activity level, metabolism, body is fully formed, lifestyle and better access to comforts that is a blessing and a curse. Yet, how does one transfer from struggles of growing up to challenges of making it as a young adult to beginning to see first aging signs? Especially as a woman who grew up in a culture of beauty and youth being what is praised in my kind? The answer for me lays in new goals and acceptance. Giving up isn't in my nature but neither was loving myself unconditionally. Photography has been an honest mirror, Japan has been the greatest teacher on moderation, Yoga has been a loyal friend that always finds a way to help when everything else fails, Husband, Family and Friends have been the most wonderful support system of all.

So what if I show up on the mat to grow, to learn and to know higher power?

We are on our final stretch here in Sasebo. I've started sharing news with work and friends. It's bitter sweet. Personally, goodbyes are super hard. It's sweet however that all these memories, times and travels happened! The new updates lifted restrictions for us once again and we made another trip to Beppu and Oita area, going up a big tower, visiting a black beach, seeing sunrises and sunsets and witnessing a powerful Typhoon Heishen that kept us up on a Sunday night.

It's still surreal two years later to wake up to the view of misty mountains and look down at the rice fields, eat fresh sushi and attempt to understand a foreign language. Sasebo, you've been so good to us!