Nicole Wilson - Floweryoga
Have you ever felt the joy of planting a seed and watching a little life emerge from the dark soil? Do you know what it's like to lose track of time and space while focusing on making your plants and garden thrive? It's called flower meditation. For a professional garden designer like Nicole Wilson, gardening is also a job, and she needs to incorporate yoga into her life to not explode by the many creative thoughts racing through her mind.
Hello, Nicole! Have you done yoga today?
Yes, I just attended my favourite yoga class: hot yoga. I love practicing yoga in the heat.
Photographer: Karin Hasselström
What is your yoga routine?
I primarily train at Fightbox, where I do runbox and circuit training, and I complement that with yoga once a week. I always go to a studio when I practice yoga to achieve the best calmness and focus, and I love doing yoga in a heated environment.
Why did you start practicing yoga?
When I first started, I saw it more as a challenging workout since it was hot yoga, but today I mainly practice yoga for its mental benefits and to force myself to pause in my otherwise hectic pace.
As a business owner, I have a thousand balls in the air and have always had. I often find it difficult to be present in the moment. Yoga helps me pause, breathe, and stay present. It clears my thoughts and gives me new energy to be creative and come up with fresh ideas.
You have been practicing yoga for many years; do you think your yoga practice has evolved over time?
Yoga has always made me feel good mentally, but it also makes me strong and flexible.
Do you have any meditation thoughts or words?
Often when I practice yoga, images of my mother come to mind. She passed away 10 years ago. It feels like a door to my inner self opens up.
What yoga pose are you a star at?
The tree pose. Maybe it's obvious since I'm a garden designer. Haha.
You grow a lot in your garden. Is there anything you grow yourself that you enjoy eating or drinking after a yoga session?
Apple juice with kale.
Is there a connection between designing a garden and yoga?
That’s an interesting thought. For me, it’s quite the opposite. In yoga, my mind is calm, while when I design a garden, ideas bounce around like a rubber ball. So, the answer to your question is no.
What would a rebellious garden design look like if you could create one?
I love clashing different elements to find new perspectives and generate fresh ideas. A rebellious garden, to me, is about creating something innovative rather than just replicating what everyone else does.
When do you wear your Wool Rebel garment?
I love my Tedd jacket! It keeps me perfectly warm when I’m sketching in gardens in the spring and late summer, but it also works great as an extra layer under a coat in winter.
Photographer: Kristofer Matti