The idea for Urban Leaf came out of wandering the globe and my mind. As with most things, it was not planned to any great extent and took its shape naturally from these experiences. At times, it still feels formless and constantly changing with the people that are joining the project. I’m hoping that many more will come and share some of the precious things that they know; be it knowledge coming by those before them or that they have deduced from their own experiences. The only important thing to me is that it is living knowledge, and that means changing and growing to fit its environment. I’ve never found one thing that is categorical yet and I doubt I ever will. The only thing I know for certain is that we are part of a changing flux and it is this flux that billows our sails.
I’m hoping that the teachers coming to this studio will be able to consider it their space as much as a place of exchange between those that come to practice, learn, play and heal. Yoga is something that has become a part of my life in a casual way, but will not leave as it’s imprint on me is too great. The benefits are not something that I understand with logic, they are felt in every step I take and so it is easy for me to stand behind the practice and to share it so that others may also experience what I have come to feel.
Whilst my body lies in yoga, my heart lies in nature and plants. This is harked at by the name of our studio, Urban Leaf. From my time training in China I still remember on days off, going up the mountain with my Shifu to collect wild herbs for meals.
I was lucky enough to have a mother that was raised on a farm and knew how to to fix a tractor as well as tell her courgettes from her cucumbers. With these teachers and many others who showed me the joys of nature, I went back to study herbal medicine and have dedictaed my time and energy so that I may one day share it with you. But as with all things balance is key and with mental work physical activity facilitates. It was with this in mind that the philosophy for Urban Leaf was born.
I’m always happy to share what I know because it is the act of sharing that puts the value in knowledge. It would be my greatest delight to have people come and be part of this exchange of giving and receiving. There will be more updates here about both the studio, events that will be hosted by the community of Luxembourg for the people of Luxembourg and ideas about plants and their wonderful properties and histories.
Until then,
Em
