Matcha on Mondays

       Chado, or way of tea, is a practice of serenity to me. Matcha, a powdered green tea that chado is affiliated with, was first introduced to me through a Japanese Art of Tea class I took during my last semester of college. My class consisted of about fifteen students and we gathered weekly for hours at a time in the basement of the campus chapel to learn the art of tea and memorize its flawlessly precise ceremony. My teacher, Jan, dedicated her entire life to the art of tea; even with being in her 80's, I am still convinced she is often times younger at heart than me. 

       Above our make-shift classroom, the orchestra class frequently practiced as well. The notes of soft progression and simplicity mixed with frothy matcha and Japanese sweet never failed to sweep me away into daydreams each class. By the conclusion of each gathering, I felt more clear-headed and centered than ever. And I owe it all to matcha.

       Matcha is notorious for being the drink that clears the clouds from the mind. Not only that, but it is loaded with antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties, detoxifies the body, has calming properties, and boosts the metabolism. The most meaningful quality that it contains, however, is that it gets people to slow down. When used in Japanese Tea Ceremonies, it is a means to an end - an end to stress, anxiety, and toxic thoughts. So when you plan to fix your next, or first, bowl of matcha, take your time. Plan to not plan and think about not thinking. Simply enjoy the sound of the chasen [chaa-sin; whisk) as it sweeps across the matcha froth and grips your specially-chosen chawan [chaa-won; bowl]. Embrace the warmth of the chasen in your palms as you slowly raise it to your mouth. Then, sip as if you were in slow motion with no where to be. If you succeed in what I am talking about, believe me. You will never stop drinking matcha again.