Making Peace with an Urban Rhythm Through the Practice of Mindfulness
Wellness Feature by Amy Shih & KHT Editorial Staff
Kaohsiung is a city that dances to the tune of sunshine and sea breezes. In the early morning, the harbor air retains a trace of salt, while the streets eagerly gear up for another bustling day. On the MRT, commuters are absorbed in their phones, and in cafés, the sound of grinding coffee beans fills the air. Like other Asian metropolises, Kaohsiung operates at a rapid pace, often surpassing that of Western cities. Yet, amidst this lively daily rhythm, some choose to slow down and connect with the city on a deeper level through yoga, using breath and movement to engage with both themselves and their environment.
Amy Shih: Bringing Yoga into Every Corner
Shih Jing-Jing, or Amy Shih, has dedicated years to honing her yoga practice in Kaohsiung, offering it throughout the city’s varied locations. She conducts classes in a range of distinctive environments: a studio with expansive windows overlooking the Love River, an infinity spa atop a skyscraper, a breezy grassy area by the sea, or a simple classroom in a neighborhood.
Regardless of the setting, Amy encourages her students to “press pause” on the constant hustle of city life. She stresses that yoga transcends physical postures; it is a perspective through which one can experience the city. “Yoga is not just a physical practice,” she explains. “It is a way of seeing and connecting to the city. When you quiet down and breathe, you can hear its heartbeat.”
Transformation Through Breath: A Student’s Journey
Amy remembers a particularly notable story about a student from the tech industry, overwhelmed by long hours and constant stress. He came to class with tense shoulders and nights plagued by insomnia. At first, even closing his eyes to breathe felt strange and unsettling. However, after a few weeks of practice, he began to feel a lightness in his body with each breath and gradually released his tension.
One day, after class, he shared an insight with Amy: “I realized I had been neglecting something as fundamental as breathing. Since learning to breathe correctly, I’ve started noticing the subtle changes in my body – and suddenly, I can appreciate the beauty of everything I already have.”
Yoga’s Gentle Flow in Kaohsiung
This transformation is not merely a personal journey; it embodies the essence of Kaohsiung itself. Although yoga may not be the city’s most defining characteristic, it subtly flows through its areas like a gentle river, reminding inhabitants that amidst their ambitions and daily pressures, they can pause, breathe, and achieve balance.
Finding Equilibrium: Yoga as an Invitation
Yoga is not an escape from the city, but an invitation to breathe with it. In Kaohsiung, between the noise and the stillness, people are discovering a unique equilibrium — a sense of stability and strength that guides them through everyday life.
