011: Flowing with the Rhythm of Life
Real Life Stories From People Who Live Slowly • Healing Properties of Sound • Learning to Travel Slow • Music Scenes Around the World • Unique Ways to Slow Down • Slow Food Travel Destinations
In this edition of The hinter Planet, we dive into the harmonious world of music, explore the art of slow travel, and uncover unique alternatives to forest bathing and slow eating. Celebrate the beauty of mindful living with us and discover new ways to savor life’s simple pleasures.
The Healing Power of Sound
Timo Krantz, the Swedish composer, producer, and musician, has received great acclaim for his atmospheric ambient project, Miracle Tones. Rooted in the study of frequencies, he explores the premise that sound moves matter and the possibilities of affecting body and mind with music. Working with a wide array of analog and modular synthesizers, Timo creates meditative soundscapes that promote relief and affirmative freedom. His innovative approach to music makes him a notable figure in the contemporary ambient music scene.
Discover how different genres and frequencies can impact our well-being, from the soothing tones of classical music to the energizing beats of modern rhythms.
Solfeggio Frequencies: These are a set of specific tones that are believed to have various healing properties. For instance, the 528 Hz frequency, known as the "Miracle Tone," is associated with DNA repair and promoting peace and love. Other frequencies, like 741 Hz, can help with intuition and enlightenment, while 852 Hz promotes spiritual order and awakening.
Brainwave Entrainment Frequencies: Different brainwave frequencies can affect mental states. For example, Delta waves (0.5 to 4 Hz) are linked to deep sleep and healing, Theta waves (4 to 8 Hz) are associated with deep relaxation and meditation, and Alpha waves (8 to 12 Hz) help with calmness and stress reduction. Read more here.
Classical Music: Known for its soothing and calming effects, classical music can reduce stress and improve focus. It often promotes relaxation and can be particularly effective in reducing anxiety and enhancing mood.
Sound Healing Practices: Methods such as using Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and chimes during meditation sessions help create a rhythmic flow that promotes relaxation and balances brain states from beta (alert) to alpha (relaxed) and theta (meditative) states. For some of our favourite sound healing sessions (plus meditations, yoga and workouts) try Open for one month on us.
Local Music Scenes: A guide to the vibrant local music scenes around the world. Here are some must-visit spots for jazz lovers:
Smalls Jazz Club, New York City - An iconic underground jazz club.
Nefertiti Jazz Club, Gothenburg - A staple in the Scandinavian jazz scene.
Bimhuis, Amsterdam - Renowned for its contemporary and experimental music.
Blue Note Tokyo, Japan - Combining traditional and modern jazz.
Le Duc des Lombards, Paris - A historic spot for jazz enthusiasts.
The Green Mill, Chicago - A legendary venue with a storied past.
Learning to Travel Slow
In an age of fast-paced travel, embracing the art of slow travel allows us to connect more deeply with the places we visit. Here’s how to make your journeys more meaningful:
The Joy of Slow Transportation: Explore alternatives like train travel, biking, and walking tours that let you soak in the scenery and culture at a leisurely pace.
Immersive Experiences: Immerse yourself in local cultures, from learning the language basics to participating in community events and festivals.
Mindful Itineraries: How to plan trips that focus on quality over quantity, ensuring you truly experience and appreciate each destination.
Here are some slow travel destinations to consider:
1. The Camino de Santiago, Spain - A historic pilgrimage route.
2. Cinque Terre, Italy - Stunning coastal hikes and local villages.
3. Kyoto, Japan - Traditional tea ceremonies and temples.
4. The Scottish Highlands, UK - Scenic landscapes and local culture.
5. The Canadian Rockies, Canada - Majestic mountains and wildlife.
6. The Loire Valley, France - Châteaux tours and leisurely cycling.
Beyond Forest Bathing: Unique Ways to Slow Down
While forest bathing and slow eating are wonderful practices, there are countless other ways to embrace a slower lifestyle:
- Creative Relaxation: Engage in activities that promote mindfulness and relaxation, such as pottery, knitting, or painting. Peep our Montreal pottery studio recommendation.
- Art of Slow Cooking: Discover the joy of preparing meals with fresh, local ingredients, taking the time to enjoy the process from start to finish.
- Slow Travel Dining: A guide to restaurants around the world that practice the art of slow dining, where meals are savored and dining is an experience in itself.
Some notable mentions:
1. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy - Renowned for its slow food philosophy.
2. Chez Panisse, Berkeley, California - Pioneers of the farm-to-table movement.
3. Arzak, San Sebastián, Spain - Traditional Basque cuisine with a modern twist.
4. Attica, Melbourne, Australia - Focused on native ingredients & sustainability.
5. La Chassagnette, Arles, France - Organic produce from their own garden.
A Day in The Life: Stories of Slow Living
Real-life stories from individuals who have embraced slow living. From city dwellers to rural inhabitants, these narratives highlight the diverse ways people find balance and joy in taking life at a slower pace.
Farah Ragheb / Founder at The Simplified Model/ Copenhagen, Denmark
I choose to slow down to experience life happening around me at its fullest, both inwardly and outwardly. To enjoy it, and to experience God’s wisdom & beauty in life’s moments.
A typical day features a slow morning: that’s being thankful for receiving the gift of another day, setting an intention & enjoying a slow workout. Really love the 12:3:30 workout.
From 11 am onwards I enjoy meetings with clients and give myself ample free time throughout the day to flow, enjoy solo time & connect with loved ones. Cooking is meditative & it’s so chill to make a nourishing meal to wind down into the evening with. Go slow to glow.
Find Farah and slow down with her.
Asami Martens / Wife & Yoga Teacher / Montreal, Canada
She slows down to stay present with her daughter, husband and friends, to listen and learn the depth of her being and to learn about yoga and the world.
My daughter and I typically go to a park after breakfast. I love spending time outside with her because she teaches me to pay attention to the smallest things. She finds flowers and bugs that are so beautiful, but I tend to miss them when I’m alone. I love getting down on my knees and seeing the beauty of nature with her. Time slows down when I’m focused on details.
I try to end my day with a restorative or yin yoga practice and meditation. My days can be packed with parenting and work. My bedtime ritual is sacred because I get to slow down and appreciate the day.
Learn more about Asami’s journey.
Sophie Blume / Photographer / the countryside in Germany
At the end of 2021, we decided to escape our everyday lives for a while. We moved to Portugal for several months and our lives suddenly became slower and more conscious.
We decided to spend more time as a family, slow down and enjoy freedom. And the decision to let go turned into 1.5 years in Portugal, Denmark and Austria. A time that brought us closer to ourselves, closer to nature and touched and healed our souls in a way that we had never experienced before.
We have learnt a lot from this time and have built a life in which we rarely have to rush. We eat together, have time for our children and have been able to create a pleasant work-life balance.
I am very grateful for the experiences and our slow life, in which we don’t strive to achieve more and more goals faster and faster.
We work on staying in harmony and regularly questioning what we really need.
The answer is almost always nature, peace and time to breathe.
Peek into Sophie’s slow world.
Charlotte Tanguay / Content Creator & Marketer / Canterbury, UK
A few years ago, I realised how much I was associating my worth with how busy I was. Then the pandemic happened, and we moved out of the city. Being away from the hectic life made me realise how good it felt to slow down, to fall in love with the little moments, and to reconnect with nature. Even more now that I have a little one who is so mesmerised by everything, it completely opened my eyes.
[Typically,] I usually get up, play with my little one, make breakfast, and enjoy my coffee. Once he goes down for his first nap, I try to catch up on work and plan our day. Later on, we love to go for a long walk in the countryside and come back early in the afternoon to enjoy our evening together as a family, eat dinner, and follow his night routine. My husband and I usually put our phones on airplane mode/switch off around 9 p.m. until the next day.
Calm your nervous system with Charlotte.
Julia Osovskaya / Marketing Manager / Prague, Czech Republic
Slowing down came naturally to me when I realized how positively a calm morning affects my mental health. A slow morning is a must for me that sets the tone for the whole day!
As I currently work mostly from home, it allows for a slower start to my typical day - more sleep, no commute, and a big leisurely breakfast. Around lunchtime, if the weather is nice, I like to take my dog out on a walk instead of spending the full hour on lunch alone. This gets the necessary movement in and keeps the doggo happy.
As we continue to explore the intersections of culture, sustainability, and mindful living, we hope this edition of The hinter Planet inspires you to tune into the rhythm of life, travel with intention, and find joy in the simple moments.
The future is bright.
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