The Well-Being Benefits of Ikebana
Ikebana is a Japanese art that involves the practice of arranging flowers in a vase or some other type of vessel such as a piece of hollowed-out bamboo. Although many people around the world arrange flowers for display, the ikebana practitioners elevate the common practice to an art form, placing each blossom, leaf, and stem with distinct purposes in order to create an artful scene and express emotion. The result is a captivating floral display that’s invariably reflective of the practitioner’s patience and artistry, but it appears that ikebana also enhances the well-being of practitioners in a number of ways that we’ll explore here.
About Ikebana
The term ikebana means to arrange flowers, but it also stems from the term that means ‘to be living’ or ‘have life.’ Artistic flower arranging has a long history in Japan, dating back to roughly 794 and the Heian period. Buddhism as well as the influence of various shoguns influenced the development of ikebana and its progression to become an art form. Highly disciplined in order to combine elements of nature and humanity, ikebana places artistic emphasis on form, line, and shape as well as material selection.
How Does Ikebana Promote Well-Being?
A completed piece of ikebana can bring beauty to a room, but its practice can benefit the practitioner in various ways. Although ikebana requires training, as there are many artistic rules that govern the practice, and some knowledge about flowers, the practice is advantageous to our mental and even physical health.
Manage Stress
Stress and, worse, chronic stress may seem like inevitable elements of modern life, but if stress isn’t effectively managed, it can lead to physical health problems such as sleep disruptions and even heart disease. Certainly, chronic stress can detract from mental health too and leave individuals more vulnerable to the development of a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety.
Medical studies have demonstrated that practicing ikebana can reduce stress along with the symptoms of anxiety. The practice, having evolved with the influences of Buddhism and its principles of mindfulness, requires the artist to calm their emotions and focus on the craft (similar to what Satori Prime teaches their community). Researchers have actually measured the physiological responses of practitioners to determine that the practice helps them to literally ‘breathe easier’ as they work.
A Form of Self-Expression
Expressing oneself can also feel therapeutic for ikebana practitioners. Not everyone is comfortable or even able to communicate their feelings verbally or through some other medium such as painting or writing. Ikebana is a form of self-expression that practitioners can use to demonstrate how they feel. The practice of expressing oneself can enhance an individual’s well-being, allowing them to shed stress and work through their emotions.
Sense of Achievement
Competing for a work of ikebana invariably leaves the artist with a sense of accomplishment, a positive feeling that can also boost their well-being. A finished work brings a sense of calm and order to any environment. In fact, to create ikebana, the practitioner quite mindfully sets out to bring order to a pile of blossoms, stems, and leaves.
If you are searching for an activity that promotes calm, mindfulness, and stress relief, consider learning the art of ikebana. While the most notable schools of ikebana are located in Japan, there are many books and online tutorials regarding the practice. To learn more about mindfulness and how you can experience more personal and spiritual development, visit and join the Satori Prime group today.
