"Hara hachi bu" is a Japanese principle of eating that roughly translates to "eat until you are 80% full." It originates from the island of Okinawa, known for its long-lived population and low rates of age-related diseases. The idea is to cultivate mindfulness during meals, stopping eating before feeling completely full. This practice is believed to contribute to better digestion, weight management, and overall health and longevity.

Harmony (Wa) is a Japanese cultural concept rooted in the notion of balance, peace, and interconnectedness. It underscores the importance of maintaining harmonious relationships with others and the environment, often emphasized in various aspects of Japanese life, including art, philosophy, and social interactions. Wa promotes cooperation, mutual respect, and the resolution of conflicts through consensus and understanding. It's embodied in practices like tea ceremonies, Ikebana (flower arranging), and traditional Japanese architecture, all aiming to create a sense of equilibrium and unity.

Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It has a vibrant green color, distinctive flavor, and is celebrated for its health benefits and versatility in culinary creations.

Mottainai is a Japanese term that roughly translates to "what a waste" or "don't be wasteful." It encapsulates the idea of respecting resources, avoiding waste, and making the most of what you have.

A stress ball is a small, squeezable toy often made of foam or rubber, designed to relieve stress or tension by providing a repetitive motion for the hands.

Laughter yoga is a practice that combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing techniques. Participants engage in playful activities and group laughter to induce genuine laughter, which is believed to offer physical and emotional benefits similar to those of spontaneous laughter. It promotes overall well-being and stress relief through simulated laughter.

Music therapy is a form of therapeutic treatment that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. It involves the use of various musical techniques, such as listening, singing, or playing instruments, to help individuals improve their well-being and achieve therapeutic goals.

Cold showers involve bathing under cold water, typically with temperatures ranging from cool to icy. Advocates claim they offer numerous health benefits, including improved circulation, increased alertness, and enhanced mood. They can also promote recovery after exercise and may boost the immune system. Some people incorporate cold showers into their daily routine for a refreshing start to the day or as a way to challenge themselves mentally and physically.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art renowned for its dynamic kicking techniques and emphasis on physical fitness, mental discipline, and self-defense. The name “Taekwondo” can be broken down into three parts: “Tae” meaning foot, “Kwon” meaning fist or hand, and “Do” meaning way or path, hence it translates to “the way of the foot and fist.”

Aikido, founded by Morihei Ueshiba, is a Japanese martial art renowned for its philosophy of non-aggression and harmonizing with an opponent's energy rather than confronting it head-on. In the world of martial arts, Aikido stands apart for its emphasis on redirecting attacks with fluid, circular motions rather than meeting force with force. This core principle distinguishes Aikido from more combative martial arts like Karate or Taekwondo.

Shikantaza is a form of Zen Buddhist meditation that emphasizes sitting quietly and attentively, without any specific object of focus or concentration. It's often translated as "just sitting" or "nothing but sitting." In Shikantaza, practitioners aim to maintain a state of open awareness, allowing thoughts, sensations, and experiences to arise and pass without attachment or judgment. The goal is to cultivate mindfulness, clarity, and insight into the nature of reality.

Kotodama is a Japanese belief that words possess spiritual power. It translates to "spirit of language" or "word soul." According to this belief, words have the power to influence reality, and using positive or negative language can affect outcomes in one's life. It's closely associated with Shinto and animistic traditions in Japan.

Sumi-e is a traditional Japanese ink painting technique characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and fluid brushwork. It uses black ink, typically made from soot, water, and glue, to create monochromatic paintings with a focus on capturing the essence or spirit of the subject rather than exact representation. Sumi-e often features subjects from nature such as landscapes, animals, or flowers, and emphasizes the beauty of imperfection and spontaneity in brush strokes. It is deeply rooted in Zen philosophy, encouraging mindfulness, tranquility, and harmony between the artist, the brush, and the subject.

Bonsai is the art of cultivating miniature trees in containers, originating from Japan. It involves careful pruning, shaping, and nurturing to create a miniature version of a full-sized tree. Bonsai trees are admired for their aesthetic appeal, symbolism, and the patience and skill required to maintain them. They represent harmony, balance, and the beauty of nature in a small, controlled setting.

Belly dancing is a traditional Middle Eastern dance form characterized by fluid movements of the torso, hips, and arms. It typically involves intricate hip isolations, undulating movements, and shimmies, often performed to rhythmic music with cultural influences from the region. Belly dancing is known for its sensual and expressive nature, and it's often practiced for both artistic expression and physical fitness.

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese bodywork therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body using fingers, thumbs, palms, and sometimes elbows or knees. It is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles, particularly the concept of meridians or energy channels through which vital energy (Qi) flows. Shiatsu aims to balance the body's energy flow and promote overall health and well-being by stimulating the body's natural healing abilities. It is often performed on a floor mat or futon and can be adapted to suit individual needs and preferences. Shiatsu is known for its ability to relieve stress, tension, and muscle pain while enhancing relaxation and improving circulation.

Judo is a modern martial art and combat sport that originated in Japan in the late 19th century. It was founded by Jigoro Kano, who synthesized techniques from various traditional Japanese jujutsu schools into a cohesive system. The word "Judo" translates to "gentle way," emphasizing the principle of using an opponent's strength and momentum against them rather than relying solely on brute force. In Judo, practitioners, known as judoka, utilize throwing techniques (nage-waza), joint locks (katame-waza), and pins (osaekomi-waza) to control opponents and win matches. Judo training also includes groundwork (ne-waza), which focuses on grappling techniques and submissions.

Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan. It is a system of self-defense techniques involving striking, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques. Karate practitioners, known as karateka, often train in forms (kata), which are choreographed sequences of movements simulating combat scenarios. These forms help practitioners to develop proper technique, balance, coordination, and focus.

Mind mapping is a visual brainstorming technique used to organize and represent ideas, concepts, or information in a hierarchical and interconnected format. It involves creating a visual diagram that starts with a central idea or topic and branches out into subtopics, related concepts, and associations in a non-linear fashion. Mind maps are effective for capturing, organizing, and synthesizing information, as well as facilitating creative thinking and problem-solving.

Kundalini Yoga is a spiritual practice that aims to awaken the dormant energy believed to be coiled at the base of the spine, known as Kundalini. Through a combination of dynamic movements, breathing techniques, meditation, and chanting, practitioners seek to unlock this energy and allow it to rise through the body's energy centers (chakras), leading to spiritual enlightenment and self-realization. Kundalini Yoga is characterized by its emphasis on breathwork (pranayama), repetitive physical exercises (kriyas), and mantras to activate and balance the subtle energy within the body. It is often viewed as a powerful and transformative practice that can bring about mental clarity, emotional stability, and heightened awareness.