Naomi Yeo on how sound bath meditation pulled her through her insecurities and jealousy
Lululemon ambassador Naomi reveals how she would have liked to stand up for herself more and her favourite Lululemon pieces for her mental wellness practices.
Striking a balance in life may be as simple as carving out time regularly to indulge in an activity you choose. Yahoo Shopping chats with personalities who share their passion for a sport or wellness activity they enjoy, which helps them take on the world with zeal. This monthly series will inspire you to find an interest that will add that sparkle to your life.
Multi-hyphenated Naomi Yeo is an actress, host, voiceover artist, singer and radio DJ all rolled into one and probably most recognized as Lululemon’s ambassador. As an advocate for mental wellness, Naomi is also a practitioner of both yoga and crystal bowl sound meditation.
Yahoo Life Singapore: What is one sport, fitness or wellness activity you love, and how did you get started?
Naomi Yeo: My dad's love for swimming rubbed off on my family and me when we were growing up. I loved the fluidity of just being in the water. Being able to ebb and flow and move your body differently than being on land … there was something magical and freeing. That transitioned into my love for yoga as I built my path into adulthood.
What are its benefits, and what do you love about it?
Yoga has been instrumental in getting me to understand how both mind and body are essential in bringing harmony and balance to life. Yoga means union; the word shows the intention behind bringing an individual back to themselves and bringing people together.
One of the many benefits I've noticed in my practice so far is the stillness and calmness you settle into when getting into a posture or a flow. When there is equilibrium, everything comes together without the need to overthink or prove anything. You just are.
I've been adapting this into my learning and growing love for sound meditation, mainly crystal bowls. Immersing myself in sound transports me into a different dimension, and this skill helps me unlock a sense of connection and peace with the people who listen to the playing of the crystals.
How often do you indulge in it, and with whom?
Not as often as I would like! However, a little goes a long way. A perspective I've come to adopt is that practice, even if it's just 5 minutes a day, every two days or a week, is still practice and the willingness to be present in a topic of interest.
Having faith in yourself every step of the way is like planting a seed in the soil and trusting that it will grow into the way it should... Eventually, a tree will be a tree or a plant.Naomi on meandering through tough times.
Every opportunity to improve myself and make mistakes is still golden. I still take myself way too seriously to let this all sink in, so I'm working on being courageous while that's all taking place.
I've been blessed to be given the platform and the community with my Lululemon family. A few months ago, we did a crystal bowl meditation at Glow Festival and at my alma mater studio (where I did my yoga teacher's training), where I played to a group of regulars. I'm working on freeing my schedule for more such classes. It's incredibly therapeutic and can put city folks in a more relaxed and calm state of mind.
I fight and care deeply for the things I love, and I don’t give up fighting unless I know I’ve exhausted all options or know that I’ve given it my best.Naomi on what she loves most about herself.
Have you, at any point, questioned yourself, envied your peers or felt let down? Was there any point you wanted to give up, and how did you bounce back?
Yes, I'm very human and incredibly susceptible to my insecurities, overthinking thoughts and comparisons, and experiencing levels of jealousy and disappointment in the journey. And to top it off, I'm more of a realist. I like taking a practical, logical approach towards the path of progress.
However, in life, you don't always get what you want, and you go through these valleys of ups and downs. You make choices, and they don't always pay off. I can't think of a specific experience to add to this, but there were so many points in my life where I doubted my choices and the industry I was in.
But … I believe that time reveals all things—wisdom triumphs. Having faith in yourself every step of the way is like planting a seed in the soil and trusting that it will grow into the way it should. Not expecting how it should grow, but just letting it blossom in its path. Eventually, a tree will be a tree or a plant. And even as I'm typing this, I feel lighter. The pressure of trying to be a particular person or something is lifted off of me. I can breathe a little. This is how I perhaps bounce back and try to meander through tough times.
In life, you don't always get what you want, and you go through these valleys of ups and downs. You make choices, and they don't always pay off.Naomi on her self-doubts in the past.
What attire do you wear when engaging in the sport or wellness activity?
It's essential to have attire that keeps you confident, comfortable and versatile for when you need to move indoors and outdoors seamlessly. Here are some of my go-to's for meditation and sports!
Scuba Jacket (Available in 5 colourways): It's incredibly soft, and your skin feels so comfortable. It's not tight fitting, and there's enough room for you to move and be at ease. It's also lightweight, but it keeps you warm.
Ebb to Street Cropped Racerback Tank Top (Available in 12 colourways): This is an all-in-one bra and singlet! I love how I can throw this on, and it can match with any pair of bottoms or pullovers I decide to wear that day. This is also great for yoga and for when you’re on the move.
Get the Ebb to Street Cropped Racerback Tank Top
Align High Rise Shorts (Available in 11 colourways): These shorts come in different lengths, but my preferred size is 6". They come with or without side pockets, depending on your lifestyle. I'm a big fan of their extra coverage lining because some of us like the added security and a nice touch with the tush! It’s soft and feels like a second skin. It hugs me in all the right places, and I never worry about fallouts. I can focus on my practice 100%.
Get the Align High Rise Shorts
Softstreme High Rise Straight Leg Cropped Pant (Available in 4 colourways): I take this pair everywhere I go, including all my travels. Wearing it always makes me feel like I’m sitting on clouds. Even in the heat, I don’t get abrasions from my skin rubbing against the fabric, which is a deal breaker for me. It’s also thick enough to brave through chilly weather.
I like sitting in silence, alone, doing absolutely nothing.Naomi on her self-care routine.
Please share one thing you learned from this wellness activity or what you wish others to discover.
When I was first introduced to sound bath meditation, I wondered if anything significant would come from it. From the moment I lay on the mat to receive the sounds of the crystal bowls till the session ended, it was calming from start to finish. My body was so relaxed I fell into a deep sleep and state of consciousness. The vibrations of the crystal bowls washed over me, and such an otherworldly experience grounded me. It's also a very hands-on wellness activity – you have to be there to experience it.
I'm excited for individuals to discover how sound can play a role in healing. Everyone's experience of sound bath meditation will differ, and each individual will take to sound in their own way. My friend Sha told me that "the heart speaks without words," I feel that sound is a scarce tool that can help open your mind and understand your soul and what you need.
8 Inches Crystal Singing Bowl 432hz Perfect Pitch G Note
Ohm Store Tibetan Singing Bowl Set — Meditation Sound Bath Bowl and Wooden Striker
Tibetan Singing Bowl Set - 7 Chakra Crystal stones
If there is one thing you could change about the past OR yourself, what would that be and why?
This is such a cliché, but I honestly don't think I would change anything about my past. If I could go back and change anything about myself, I could stand up for myself more. Younger Naomi was easily influenced and didn't entirely trust her gut, even when she knew she should've leaned into it more.
As a well-known figure, how do you inject positivity to the public?
I do my best to be even-keeled about positivity. It's a state of mind, and everyone's idea looks different. I meet everyone in the middle and remind them that they are appreciated and loved wherever they are.
Could you share with us your life philosophy that you have gained thanks to the wellness activity?
I've picked up a few life lessons from my sound bath meditation classes – there are many different tools or ways a person can use to heal in their own way. Sound can be used as a form of therapy to release body tension and reveal what we've kept hidden in our hearts. Emotions are often delicate, and we must be gentle with ourselves when they arise. You never want to use your emotions as a weapon against others, and most certainly yourself. It can be that safe space you need.
Emotions are often delicate and we need to be gentle with ourselves when they come up.Naomi on how sound bath meditation may be used to heal oneself.
What do you love most about yourself?
I fight and care deeply for the things I love, and I don't give up fighting unless I know I've exhausted all options or see that I've given it my best.
What is your self-care routine like?
I like sitting in silence, alone, doing nothing if I could.
What's your advice to those who want to kickstart the same wellness activity?
The first thing to do is try and then try again.
Lululemon launches Fall 2023 Casual Collection
The collection of style-forward pieces, including classic Lululemon features like four-way stretch, quick-drying and sweat-wicking fabrics, and technical construction, are now available in everyday wear. Yahoo Life Singapore picks a few of the must-have signature pieces.
[CLICK ON IMAGES OR PURPLE BUTTONS FOR PRODUCT LINKS.]
Always Effortless Water Repellant Long Jacket
A-Line High-Rise Wrap Skirt
Quilted Grid Crossbody Bag 5L
Shop Fall 2023 Casual Collection
Lululemon is available on Lululemon official website and Lazada.
Other inspiring fitness reads:
Iman Fandi shares her passion for dance
Benjamin Kheng shares his enduring love for swimming and why you should get started
Actor Lawrence Wong shares his passion for skateboarding and how he strikes a mind-body balance
Zheng Ge Ping on his fitness transformation & tips on maintaining muscle health
Under Armour ambassador Allan Wu invites you to join him on the run at UA's All Out Mile
Former National athlete Joy Kuan shares tips on eating clean for peak sports results
Malaysia's first Asia's Next Top Model rep Melissa Th'ng on the secret to staying positive
Actor Aaron Mossadeg shares his passion for sports and how he transformed his physique
Pro tennis player Leylah Fernandez shares her ups and downs & her favourite Lululemon attire
Find out how Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson strikes a mind-body balance
Singapore's fastest Ironman, Choo Ling Er, juggles motherhood & recovers from a near-fatal accident.
Omstars TV star, yoga teacher and author Kino MacGregor gets in touch with self via yoga
Learn how you can be slim, calm and sexy through yoga like Tara Stiles
How Singapore's Ironman triathlon Ewin Teo Conquers the blues and failed runs
Singapore's youngest Brazilian Jiu-jitsu champion, Jedd Tan sacrifices teenage years
Yoga instructor Roxanne Gan shares how yoga grounds her & what it can do for you
Ultra-marathoner and author Natalie Dau on overcoming her darkest moments
Actress Ya Hui reveals why she's taking a pause from work and how it has helped her
Podcaster Stephanie Bovis shares how she 'crawls out of the hole and into the light'
