ZUU Lifestyle
At ZuuTravel and Lifestyle, we believe in traveling light—both in how we travel and how we journey through life. Our mission is to inspire a minimalist lifestyle that helps you to find meaning in life, reconnect with nature and leave a smaller footprint on the planet.
Our approach is rooted in the principles of Daoist Philosophy and Zen Minimalism. Through the practices of feng shui, qigong, and taiji, combined with spending time in nature, we encourage balance, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
We also draw inspiration from the Japanese concept of Ikigai—the practice of discovering your purpose or reason for being. Whether you're exploring new places or looking into self-exploration, we support your journey toward a more meaningful life.
The name ZuuTravel is also a playful nod to the Suzuki 4WD we travel in—but also a tribute to D.T. Suzuki, a Japanese philosopher who introduced the concept of Zen Minimalism to the Western World.
Our Key Concepts
- Minimalism -
Our Ikigai Practice is a minimalist and goal oriented practice and culture based on Humanistic Daoism. It is about living intentionally, with purpose and meaning. It is about figuring out what you value most in life and removing everything that doesn’t align with that. It is about making time and space in your life for personal growth while saying “no” to materialsim and investing in things that will afford you the freedom to pursue your goals and aspirations.
- Daoism -
Humanistic Daoism emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans, nature, and the universe, promoting a life lived in harmony with the natural Way, or "Dao". It encourages simplicity, effortless action or "Wu Wei," (無 為) and living in accordance with one's true nature, and the natural order of the universe or "Ziran" (自 然). It discourages materialism and excessive consumption, promoting a more sustainable and fulfilling way of life.
In essence, Humanistic Taoism offers a perspective on life that emphasizes personal growth, connecting with nature, and the pursuit of a minimalist and balanced lifestyle.
- Ikigai -
The word Ikigai is composed of two parts: “Iki” (生き), meaning “life” or “to live,” and “Gai” (甲斐), which translates to “worth” or “value.” Combined, Ikigai reflects the intersection of what gives life meaning and what motivates individuals to wake up every day, going beyond material success to embrace personal fulfillment.
- Feng Shui -
Feng Shui, literally meaning wind, "Feng" (風) and water, "Shui" (水) is the Daoist concept that energy (life) should flow like wind and water. Free and without obstruction. It is about living your life with least resistance, the principle of non-resisting or "Wu Wei" (無 為). Just as water flows along the path of least resistance, Daoism encourages individuals to follow the natural flow of life.
Feng Shui further promotes living in harmony with nature, which means understanding and respecting the natural rhythms and processes of the elements around us. By aligning with nature's flow, individuals can reduce resistance and live more naturally and to their full potential.
It is about taking control of your life in every aspect and tapping into the energies in and around us to bring about change, progress and fulfillment in life. It is about getting rid of preconceived ideas, ideologies and expectations and to focus on living your life intentionally.
- Five Elements Theory -
The theory of the five elements or "Wu Xing", is a fundemental concept in Daoist philosophy. "Wu" (五) meaning "five" and "Xing" (行) meaning "movement", can be translated as the five movements, phases, dynamics or elements as practiced in feng shui. The Five Elements represent fundamental energies and their interactions. It was devevloped to rationalize and systemize the connection that could exists between different aspects of nature in accordance with their properties, movements and intercations.
- Qigong -
The word Qigong is composed of two parts: "Qi" (氣), meaning "energy", and "Gong" (功) which translates to "work", litteraly meaning to work with energy.
Qigong is therefore a physical and mental practice to improve the Body-Mind Energy by harnessing, cultivating and circulating energy throughout the body. It is closely related to the blood circulatory system and the methods of how to inhale and exhale correctly.
It combines diet, meditation, physical movement and breathing techniques to regulate the mind, body and breath.
The practice of qigong forms the foundation of our practice. You cannot life your life to its full potential if you don't have a healthy body and mind.
The Ikigai Journey
- Mapping Your Personal Energy Cycle -
Using the Ba Zi (八字), or the "Eight Characters" - a Daoist metaphysical system that uses a person's birth date and time to analyze their destiny and potential - we will map your personal energy chart, or "Destiny Code". The chart provides insights into a person's personality, career, health, relationships, and overall path in life.
The chart is helpful in analyzing your energy levels and making better informed decisions based on your unique destiny code. It creates an opportunity for you to plan and live your life with least resistance, to act when the time is right, and to live your life to your full potential.
Ba Zi analysis incorporates the five elements and their interactions to further understand the dynamic interplay within a person's destiny and purpose in life (ikigai).
- Affirming Life Aspirations -
Working with the eight life aspirations as practiced in feng shui, a driving force that helps indivuals find purpose and direction, you will be setting goals using the ikigai four circle model as inspiration.
Affirming life aspirations means recognizing, validating and reinforcing your desires and goals, ultimately strengthening your belief in your ability to achieve them.
This involves actively acknowledging your hopes, dreams, and ambitions, and reinforcing the idea that they are attainable and worthwhile. It's about shifting from doubt to conviction, and from passive wishing to active pursuing.
- Reinforcing Life Aspirations -
Using the principles of feng shui, we will reinforce your life aspirations on an energetic level according to the five element theory, the theory of opposites and the energetic qualities of the cardinal and intercardinal directions.
We will create an energetic blueprint of your home focused on your goals and aspirations. These will be reinforced according to the five element theory and the Power of Intent.
- The Balancing Act -
Balance refers to the harmonius intercation and distribution of the five elements and their related energies within an individual's ba zi chart, home and immediate environment. A balanced chart, home and environment signifies a well-rounded personality and a greater likelihood of success in living your life to your full potential and to achieve your goals and purpose in life.
Balance in Daosim is a fundemental concept, represented by the theory of opposites and the idea of wu wei. It emphasizes a harmonius existence with nature, finding balance within oneself, and aligning with the natural flow of the universe.
Using the principles of feng shui and your personal energy cycle, we will balance the energies in your ba zi chart, home and immediate environment.
- Practicing Qigong -
Qigong, an intentional or "keiko" exercise involving coordinated movements, breating, and meditation to cultivate and balance the body's energy known as "qi," forms the foundation of our ikigai practice. It is a holistic system that aims to harmonize the body, mind and spirit. Mental and physical well-being is the first step in exploring your Ikigai and becoming the best version of yourself.
You will be trained on both the Six Healing Sounds or "Liu Zi Jue" (六 字 訣) and the Eight Essential Movements called the "Ba Duan Jin," also known as the "Eight Silken Movements" (八 段 錦).
The Six Healing Sounds involves coordinating specific sounds with breathing and gentle movements to regulate and balance energy within the body. The six sounds are each associated with a specific organ and function.
The eight essential movements is a set of eight movements that are gentle, slow, and flowing, with a focus on improving health and well-being. They strengthen and stretch muscles, correct posture, stimulate different parts of the body and improve blood flow.
Intentional or "keiko" exercise, focusing on specific goals and mindful movements, can align with finding one's ikigai by promoting physical and mental health, and fostering a sense of purpose by actively working on your health and well-being.
- Reconnect With Nature -
Nature is closely linked to our ikigai in two key ways. First, spending time in nature brings a sense of renewal and well-being, which is essential for our personal growth. Second, our connection to nature - like our connections with other people - gives us a deep sense of belonging.
It’s worth remembering that before we became social beings, we were part of the natural world. We were born of nature, and we remain inherently connected to it.
Nature also directly supports two of our Life Aspirations: Self and Relations. It nurtures our inner well-being and helps us feel more connected to our surroundings. When we recognize this connection, we can begin to set meaningful goals that not only guide us toward our ikigai but also bring nature into our daily lives with intention and purpose.
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At Zuu Lifestyle, we encourage reconnecting with nature through immersive experiences like camping, hiking, and practicing qigong and meditation in natural settings. To learn more about our Ikigai Boot Camps and retreats, click on the link, follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram, or send us an enquiry below.
- A Practice In Minimalism -
The energetic blueprint of your home will guide you in the process of practicing minimalism by eliminating clashing elements and introducing elements that will reinforce your goals and aspirations.
In feng shui everything around us is perceived as a source of energy. The more possessions you have, the more energy there will be and the harder it will be for you to live your life intentionally and with purpose. A person’s surrounding environment should be uncluttered and essentially bare to create a mindful sanctuary, not a cacophony of energy that distracts you from living your life to its’s full potential.
Decluttering or space clearing is at our core. One should only possess those things that are functional, beautiful and that contribute to your well-being, energetically, physically and mentally. Our ikigai practice is an anti-consumerism and anti-disposable practice and culture. It is about living intentionally, with purpose and meaning. It is about figuring out what you value most in life and removing everything that doesn’t align with that.
We also strongly advocate for, and encourage the Tiny Home Movement, green building practices and living in harmony with nature.
- The Tao of Interior Design -
The Tao of Interior Design is a holistic interior design practice by Zuu Travel and Lifestyle based on the principles of Feng Shui, Building Biology and Environmentally Friendly Interior Design Practices.
The consultation includes the following:
Part 1:
Mapping, interpreting and balancing your Personal Energy or Ba Zi Chart.
Part 2:
Goal setting based on the eight life aspirations as practiced in Feng Shui and reflected on the energetic blueprint of your home.
Part 3:
Incorporating the energetic blueprint into the interior design of your home.
Part 4:
Geomancy - to be done on site dowsing for beneficial earth energies, geo-magnetic lines and geopathic stress.
Part 5:
Building Biology Assessment - to be done on site testing for possible indoor air pollutants and electromagnetic fields.
Part 6:
Additional green interior decorating and remodeling if required.
Each in person consultation or site visit includes forty five minutes of qigong practice and fifteen minutes of guided meditation.
For more information, please contact us below.
