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Aya Sugino すぎのあやこ

@ikebanaya

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Ikebana artist / instructor
based in Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦🇯🇵
Certified Ikebana teacher from Sogetsu Ikebana School, Tokyo

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Finding Stillness in the Process: Ikebana & Group Therapy 🌿🪺

🫥Ever feel like your mind is constantly racing before your day even truly begins? In our group therapy session, we slowed the pace down. We started by grounding our nervous systems through a five senses grounding exercise, easing into stillness before picking up a single stem.

Starting our morning with a grounding practice isn’t just about taking a breath, it’s about preparing our nervous system for the day ahead🧠 Before we dive into tasks, worries, or creative reflection, tuning into our five senses sends a direct signal of safety to the brain, gently easing us out of fight-or-flight mode. By anchoring ourselves in the physical present first, we widen our capacity to navigate daily stress with clarity, emotional resilience, and a steady heart.

We are so honored to have Aya Sugino guide us through Ikebana session🤍 She is a Toronto-based Sogetsu Ikebana artist and interior designer, she is also a certified teacher from Sogetsu Ikebana School in Tokyo and holds the rank of Teacher’s Diploma 1st grade Somu. Our participants explored how floral arrangement becomes a canvas for self-expression, reflection, and non-judgmental presence. In group therapy, the healing doesn’t just come from the art, it comes from shared human connection in a safe space, we realize we aren’t alone in our struggles.

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A recent first venture into Ikebana ❤️with the wonderful @ikebanaya #flowerlover #freshflowers #floraldesign #blooms #flowerartist

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8:06 pm My work is done and I’m so excited and tired and in my PJ’s. Goodnight All !

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In celebration of the debut of @1HotelTokyo, we gathered for a moment of quiet creativity rooted in nature.
Guided by Aya Sugino, certified teacher from Sogetsu Ikebana School, guests explored the art of ikebana through harmony, movement, and intentional placement.

Each arrangement reflected a mindful approach to design, where less becomes more and every element has purpose.

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A quiet mark of spring at Yūgen.
Real branches from Sekka Enishida (雪花えにしだ)
a spring flowering shrub from Japan, known for its delicate, fleeting blossoms.

In Japanese aesthetics, it represents purity, transience, and quiet beauty—a subtle expression of the season, often seen in traditional spring arrangements.

#SushiYugen#YugenExperience#Ikebana
#JapaneseAesthetics#SekkaEnishida

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@ikebanaya
We received a beautiful gift from one of our wonderful clients — a fresh flower arrangement delivered and styled especially for our salon.
The flowers were arranged to perfectly match our atmosphere, making the space feel even more refined and elegant.
Please feel free to stop by and enjoy this lovely floral display.

@bondshairshop
MONDAY - SATURDAY
11AM -7PM
976 Bathurst St
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#torontohairsalon #torontolife
#torontohairstylist #ikebana #flowerarangement

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Lately, I’ve been immersing myself in the art of Ikebana — the Japanese art of floral arrangement, which literally means “giving life to flowers”

A beautiful practice that, to me, feels like a form of awake meditation

My lessons with Aya @ikebanaya bring me joy, calm, and inspiration 🌸

I love how deeply this art resonates with interior design: compositions shaped by empty space, subtle plays of balance and imbalance, contrasts, multi-dimensional structures, and delicate conversations between motifs and colours

A poetic and sensitive way to honour nature, blending technique and intuition — just like designing a space

And apparently, the Japanese aesthetic keeps quietly making its way into my work… my friends and clients often point it out before I do 🌿

#Ikebana #JapaneseArt #FloralArt #InteriorDesignInspiration #DesignAndNature #MindfulDesign #PoeticSpaces #ArtOfBalance #CreativePractice #NatureInspires #InteriorDesignerLife

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This is an ikebana floral arrangement my dad made yesterday using this simple black clay base I hand built for him. The vase, and the afternoon lesson with the wonderful Aya Sugino @ikebanaya were a gift to him for his 90th birthday, June 14th. He’s loved ikebana for decades + has always a great eye for aesthetics which I think helped cultivate mine. After yesterday’s inspiring workshop, I think I’d like to make more vases + vessels for the practice of ikebana. Feel free to DM me if you need a custom vase! thx
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#handbuiltceramics #blackclay #blackalbanyglaze #ikebana #sogetsuikebana #ayasuginoteacher #japaneseikebana #torontoikebanaclass #lessismore #90thbirthday

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Radici is growing with love—thank you for the beautiful gifts and for being part of this dream from day one.
30/04/2025

@lemonkitami @lantipastoristorante @shizukutoronto @okurinpa @misaton33lo @by.veronicagi @ri_sa0313 @hava02tran @tomoloff @maikog8iki @hkrxx1108 @pluiefille__ @el.fuser88 @ikebanaya @affettobygiogio @eric_naples @danielecoronareal @yona.aki.yoshiko @akarin0803 @pizzeria_comparu

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I am excited to share that I have displayed some of my pottery at @radici_project. I invite you to check it out. @emdf_chef and @kayo.ito offer an incredible experience, from their delicious menu to the cozy ambience.

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Planning your Mother’s Day weekend? Join us this year for two special events!

Returning from last year is our popular Ikebana & Lunch event with Aya Sugino. This year, the class will be followed by a very special Zen Lunch featuring premium sushi & a sweet finish by our Head Pastry Chef Glenda San Jose.

For dinner service, indulge in a 7-course special Kaiseki featuring a King Salmon Sakekasu Yaki, Miku’s very own Premium Aburi Sushi & Oshi, and a Japanese Wagyu entree you don’t want to miss.

Reservations for both events can be made via the link in our bio.

#mothersday #miku #mikutoronto #aburisushi #ikebana #torontoevents #toronto #waterfront #harbourfront #tastingmenu #finedining

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Spring may have chosen to go back into hiding, but that doesn't mean you should! Check out these fun date ideas happening this weekend. 🎪🎉

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