Interview:
Faith
Agugu, meditation and yoga practitioner (Relax Coogee)
- April 2017
Profiles
Mind,
Body and Spirit Yoga
Fashion

When and how did you get into the meditation and mind,
body and spirit field?
I
began this part of my journey in 1991 when I arrived
in Australia. I was in a new country and I was looking
for something to anchor me to my new home. I found
a western Buddhist organization that resonated with
me and I stayed with them for 10 years. I've always
been spiritual-coming from a culture that still has
close ties & connection with the unseen world
I felt fortunate that this was a part of me that stayed
with me while living in western cultures.
Did you discover fashion or spiritual work first,
and do you have a preference?
Funny
I discovered them around the same time. I always felt
conflicted as I bought into the belief that these
worlds were somehow in opposition and that I had to
choose one or the other. So for many years I would
not share my spiritual side with those in my fashion
world and vice versa, until about 6 years ago I created
a blog- Guruwearsgucci which brought my 2 worlds together.
What's your ethnic background, and what led you to
Sydney? I was born in Nigeria, lived in UK and came
to Australia for love.
What do you love about living and working in Sydney's
Eastern Beaches region? My tribe in Nigeria is called
the water people and I believe I need the ocean to
survive. When I moved to Australia my mother reminded
me not to stray too far away from her healing energy
so I've always lived by the coast from Bondi to Maroubra
to Coogee.
What motivates and inspires you? Service, the sun,
the ocean, and the courage of ordinary people to get
up when they fall and have another go at life!
What's some of the biggest challenges you have overcome?
Living away from my family and creating a new support
network in Australia.
What sorts of challenges do you help your meditation
clients overcome? Where do we begin? My spiritual
teacher once said that if you want to know what issues
you should be working on, look at the issues your
clients present with in private practice. I feel so
blessed that as I'm working with my clients on their
issues, I'm actually working on mine. The fact that
I get paid seems an unfair exchange.
What can you tell us about your RAW fashion agency?...
Any current projects or events coming up? Raw Fashion
is a baby that I'm reluctant to let go off. I've had
this business for 14 years and I'm not sure how it
fits into my evolving incarnation. My dream would
to find someone who wants to buy an online fashion
business and they could continue to nurture it as
I have.
What techniques or secrets do you use on yourself
to be so healthy and full of life? Routine- it may
seem boring but I've found things that work for me
and I travel best when these things are in place in
my life. They include daily meditation, swimming or
gym; connect with like-minded people on the phone.
If I'm confused I check out my reality, I nap for
60-90 minutes daily, always eat at least twice a day
and I ban self-judgement and self-criticism and I
always give myself the benefit of the doubt.
How did your involvement with JNC come about?
One
of JNC staff attended my meditation workshop at Sona
Yoga and approached me to do volunteering at their
organization.
What sort of music or sounds do you use in your meditation
sessions? Mainly Hindu Sanskrit chants but I'm looking
also at Aboriginal and other more tribal beats.
What's your motto? Always be kind & gentle to
yourself.
When's your next group meditation classes?
Join
me on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month for Coogee
Guided Meditation at Seniors Hall, 97 Brook St. Coogee.
These classes are ran by donation, or at JNC either
Randwick or Maroubra. Contact JNC office for details.
What's your Star sign, and are you true to it?
Taurus
- yes I'm very stubborn.
Websites
Relax
Coogee Facebook
Faith
Agugu Facebook
JNC
Maroubra
RAW
Fashion Agency
RAW
Fashion Agency Facebook

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