Mindfulness

In Japan, rabbits represent fortune, moving forward and cleverness, but they are also messengers for the kami (gods).

What Will the Year of the Water Rabbit Bring?

According to Chinese astrology, the rabbit symbolizes patience and luck. the year 2023 will bring qualities that may have been lacking in the past year, such as peace and success. We expect this year to be less dramatic and turbulent than the last year of the Tiger.

The Year of the Rabbit will have a positive influence on people who are impulsive or unrealistic, as they become more prudent and practical. Therefore, it is an excellent time to make important decisions and carefully think through your options so that you have the best chance of achieving your goals and carrying out your plans.

The Japanese zodiac (Juunishi) is divided into 12 blocks with each block containing a group of years.

Rat (nezumi)

Born 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912. People born in the year of the Rat are charming, honest, ambitious, and have a tremendous capacity for pursuing a course to its end. They will work hard for their goals. They are easily angered but maintain an outward show of control.

Ox (ushi)

Born 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913. People born in the year of the Ox are patient, mentally alert and when required to speak are skillful. They have a gift for inspiring confidence in others. This allows them to achieve a great deal of success.

Tiger (tora)

Born 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914. People born in the year of the Tiger are sensitive, stubborn, short-tempered, courageous, selfish and slightly mean ... yet they are deep thinkers and are capable of great sympathy for those they are close to and love.

Rabbit (usagi)

Born 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915. People born in the year of the Rabbit are the most fortunate. They are smooth talkers, talented, ambitious, virtuous and reserved. They have exceedingly fine taste and are regarded with admiration and trust.

Dragon (tatsu)

Born 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916. People born in the year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered and stubborn. However, they are honest, sensitive, brave and can inspire trust in most anyone. They are the most peculiar of the 12 signs of the Zodiac cycle.

Snake (hebi)

Born 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917. People born in the year of the Snake are deep thinkers, speak very little and possess tremendous wisdom. They are fortunate in money matters and will always be able to obtain it. They are determined in what they do and hate to fail.

Horse (uma)

Born 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906. People born in the year of the Horse are skillful in paying compliments and talk too much. They are skillful with money and handle finances well. They are quick thinkers, wise and talented. Horse people anger easily and are very impatient.

Sheep (hitsuji)

Born 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907. People born in the year of the Sheep are elegant, highly accomplished in the arts, passionate about nature. At first glance, they seem to be better off than the people born in other years. They are deeply religious and passionate in whatever they do and believe in.

Monkey (saru)

Born 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, 1908. People born in the year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the Zodiac cycle. They are clever and skillful in grand-scale operations and are smart when making financial deals. They are inventive, original and are able to solve the most difficult problems with ease.

Rooster (tori)

Born 2005, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921, 1909. People born in the year of the Rooster are deep thinkers and are always busy and devoted to their work. They always want to do more than they are able, and if they undertake a task beyond their abilities, they are disappointed. Rooster people have a habit of speaking out directly whenever they have something on their minds.

Dog (inu)

Born 2006, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922, 1910. People born in the year of the Dog have all the fine qualities of human nature. They have a sense of duty and loyalty, they are extremely honest and always do their best in their relationship with other people. Dog people inspire confidence in others and know how to keep secrets.

Boar (inoshishi)

Born 2007, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911. People born in the year of the Boar are brave. They have tremendous inner strength which no one can overcome. They display great honesty. They are short-tempered, yet hate to quarrel or have arguments. They are affectionate and kind to their loved ones.

Dear Sorate's Friends,

The art of tea, as it is known in Japan, is still considered a social event and an important mindfulness exercise: when the senses are relaxed, alert, and receptive, the demons of chaos and destruction seem less threatening.
What better way to unite and strengthen a family or community than to share a cup of tea?

Japanese history, art and cultural complexity can be summed up in a single gesture: the Tea Ceremony.

On the surface, this condensation might symbolize Japan's current international reputation for making things small, and yet what is projected is not a mere miniaturization of action and spirit, but rather a concentration of heritage and esthetic values in an intricate symphony of movement, and the Tea itself produces an apotheosis of spiritual and artistic expression.

There are 4 spiritual and artistic components essential to the world of tea: Harmony ("wa"), Reverence ("kei"), Purity ("sei"), and tranquility ("jaku").

Aren't we always striving to incorporate these 4 components into our daily lives?

Approximately 70% of New Year's resolutions are about being healthier, eating better, moving more, and stress less. Yes the majority of us slip back into old habits. Most people blame their failure to fulfill resolutions on a lack of time, resources, or motivation. But as the saying goes, you will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. 

Thank you for being part of our community this year, and I am very grateful for your support and trust!

Also in 2023, I would like to invite you to join me in cultivating healthy habits, yet simple habits.

Stay tuned for exciting news and collaborations that we'll share with you in the coming year.

I wish you all an Healthy and Happy New Year!

Silvia Mella

Studies show that we're actually more focused and productive when we take intentional breaks throughout the day.  

Incorporating movement, meditation, and ritual into our workday in-between tasks can help us reset and give us a boost of needed energy. 

Researchers like Sophia Cho recommend microbreaks of around 5-10 minutes at various times during the workday to stave off feelings of fatigue and to increase the opportunity for exercise and motion.

Especially if you work at a desk, microbreaks can help with

• posture
• blood flow
• eyesight
• mental health. 

Brewing a cup of Matcha is an excellent way to give yourself a microbreak at home or at work.

The practice of making and enjoying Matcha takes about 5 to 10 minutes and encourages movement and mindfulness. 

Consider the steps it takes to craft a cup of Matcha:

1. leaving your computer,
2. walking to the kitchen, 
3. turning on the kettle,
4. measuring the spoonfuls of Matcha,
5. waiting for the water to heat, then
6. carefully pour the water over the Matcha powder and
7. whisking or shaking to combine. 

It's the perfect way to get away from your screens and be present in the moment.

The process of brewing Matcha takes skill and attention and allows your mind to rest and enjoy doing something by hand. 

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, restless, or find your mind wondering at work, consider refocusing your attention by preparing your favorite Matcha beverage at work. Just don't forget to bring enough for your coworkers! 

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. 

On this day (October 10th), we create a chance to “rekindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health,” says the World Health Organization (WHO).

Today, October 10th, and tomorrow October 11th, we will donate 10% of our revenues to the WHO to contributing to the launch of a campaign around the theme of Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority. This will be an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers, employees and other stakeholders to come together to recognize progress in this field and to be vocal about what we need to do to ensure Mental Health & Well-Being becomes a Global Priority for all.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions.

Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.

GREEN TEA FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Green Tea is arguably one of the healthiest superfoods out there. It is loaded with several nutrients with health benefits in our bodies both mentally and physically. Green tea has been shown to help improve mental focus while giving you the energy boost you require.   

The oxidants from green tea extracts prevent brain cell damages, which could otherwise lead to significant mental loss or even cause Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia brain diseases.

The caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine lowers anxieties as well as influence other crucial brain cognitive functions. Therefore, consuming a cup of green tea regularly may help you lower symptoms related to anxiety disorders.

Remember, when anxieties are not managed appropriately, they cause effects such as fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, breathing problems, and even worse problems in the long run. Since, everyone would want a healthy and natural way of managing anxieties, in such a scenario, drinking green tea regularly comes in handy. 

Several studies are showing a correlation between higher consumption of green tea and reduced depression levels in elderly individuals. Nevertheless, more and more human trials are in progress to find out exactly how green tea effect depression symptoms. For instance, in one study, green tea polyphenols produced antidepressant-like effects on mice. That suggests the same results could be similar to human beings.

Dementia refers to a chronic or persistent mental processes disorder that is caused by brain disease and characterized by memory disorders and impaired reasoning. Consuming as little as one cup of green tea per week enables you to perform and process information tasks better as compared to non-green-tea drinkers.

People across the world have testified to the relaxing and refreshing of drinking green tea for centuries. Drinking green tea serves a role beyond quenching your thirst. It’s also a perfect aid for meditation, soothing the nerves, and even when you need to unwind a stressful day task.

SHOP GREEN TEA & MATCHA

When you are drinking tea, you are drinking Nature.

Enjoy every moment and every sensation while sipping your tea.

The water in this tea was once a cloud that felt in the form of rain and came down perhaps from the mountain in form of a river.

Now this water is in your cup, transformed into a delicious tea. 

The same water, also helped the tea tree to grow.

Now drink the tea and think that the cloud, the rain, and the river are part of this cup of tea. 

This tea and this water are beautiful gifts from the Universe and from the Earth.

Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.

LISTEN TO OUR TEA MEDITATION 

When we speak of tea and meditation, the two words are almost inseparable. Many centuries ago when tea culture was being spread in the far east, it was not uncommon for Buddhist monks in Tibet to drink large quantities of pu-erh, and Zen monks in Japan to do the same with Matcha in order to stay awake during long meditation hours. It's the ritual of brewing tea while at the same time practicing mindfulness and meditation.

STEPS TO MINDFULLY PRACTICING TEA MEDITATION

PREPARING THE TEA. Pay attention to each movement and every step. Clear your mind from thoughts.

THE SPACE. This could be any space, but dedicating it to the experience is essential. Make sure to put away all the things you don't need at this moment, visually they distract you from your peace.

TAKE TIME TO APPRECIATE THE TEA. Connect with it. Imagine where it came from. Smell it.

DRINKING THE TEA. Be aware of your movements, your thoughts, the ways that you feel. Acknowledge it and let it go. Each moment is fleeting.

SHOP HERE

"Mindfulness training may improve emotion regulation by changing the way our brain responds to what we’re afraid of and reminding us that it is no longer threatening." Gunes Sevinc, PhD

The Massachusetts General Hospital researched how mindfulness practice training changes the brain structure in only 8 weeks.

Subjects 18 to 50 years of age were recruited via public transportation advertisements for stress-reduction programs.

They were required to have had minimal prior experience with meditation or yoga practice.

We recommend a relaxing and rejuvenating Sunday morning routine:

LIGHT STRETCHING: 

First thing most of us do when we wake up is reach for our phones, try and do some light stretching in bed first. You will be surprised how good this makes you feel.

MAKE YOUR BED: 

A very simple task that you should get into a habit of doing each day is making your bed, it clears your mind.

COOK YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST: 

Make yourself some brunch with all of your favorite foods, breakfast is the best meal of the day! 

ENJOY A HOT CUP OF TEA: 

Enjoying a hot cup of tea or matcha in the morning will promote focus and give you a gradual release of energy throughout the day. Use this time to unplug from social media and try and be at one with yourself when enjoying your cup of tea.

TAKE A HOT BUBBLE BATH: 

Enjoy a relaxing bubble bath or shower, exfoliate your face and body try our recipe for a matcha exfoliating face scrub, find the recipe HERE!

JOURNAL / WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS: 

Grab your note book and write down your goals for the week ahead, you will be surprised how productive this can make you, once you tick your tasks off your note book.

What does your Sunday routine look like? - Let us know by leaving a comment below!! 

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