By Kimine Mayuzumi There is nothing passive about stopping, and when you decide to go, it’s a different kind of going because you stopped. — Jon Kabat-Zinn A few weeks ago, I led a session called Exhale – Reset through Reflection and Practice for a group of academics transitioning out of their academic year. I was reminded again how exhausting this season can be for many academics — trying to wrap things up while…
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What I learned from Tai Chi walking
Originally published on May 15, 2018, updated on April 7, 2026 By Kimine Mayuzumi In the Tai Chi class that I lead regularly, we always begin with a walking exercise — what I call Tai Chi walking. We walk slowly — probably slower than you might imagine. It feels almost like moving in slow motion. I learn so much from this experience, and I invite you to try this kind of slow, mindful walking one…
Setting intentions (not just goals): A perspective from practice
By Kimine Mayuzumi A client once asked me: “Is there a particular format you use to help people set an intention? I’ve been experimenting with different ones to use with students, but I haven’t found an explanation I love yet — especially one that helps them understand the difference between an intention and a goal.” This is a wonderful question. And I actually hear two questions within it: How do I differentiate an intention from…
A decade of Being Lazy and Slowing Down: Stories and insights from higher education
By Kimine Mayuzumi Ten years ago, I wrote a short post called “5 Ways to Slow Down NOW.” At the time, I didn’t know whether anyone would read it. I simply felt pulled to explore gentler ways of living and working — especially in environments organized around speed, output, and performance. I kept writing, not because I had a grand vision for what Being Lazy and Slowing Down (BLSD) would become, but because each piece…
From tension to flow: Writing with a Tai Chi mindset
By Kimine Mayuzumi “Qi is soft like water — it can only be led, not pushed.” (Yang, 2018, p.481) This quote reminds me that true power lies in softness. In both Tai Chi and writing, I’ve discovered that the gentlest energy often leads to the most powerful results. In this reflection, I explore how Tai Chi principles – particularly yurumi, or softness – might offer a different way of approaching (academic) writing. Perhaps by…