The Rhythm of Qi | A tea & incense experience for inner rhythm (Spring & Summer)

Sometimes I feel that tea didn’t introduce me to Chinese traditional culture — it simply brought me back to it.

Back to something quietly woven into my upbringing: the rhythm of the seasons, the wisdom of ancient Chinese philosophy, the Five Elements, and most of all, the idea that heaven, earth, and human must move in harmony.

It was through tea that I began to reconnect—not just with tradition, but with this deeper way of being.

A way I’ve always known, yet only began to understand more fully since I live aboard with the daily practice of tea.

This spring, I met Master Qingbai — a medicinal incense practitioner and the 48th-generation lineage holder of Sun Simiao, a revered figure in Chinese medicine.

In her world, scent becomes breath, and breath becomes harmony.

Through our conversations, the ancient connection between tea and incense stirred something familiar. They’ve always belonged together—as tools for tuning, sensing, and caring.

As Nari tea lab turns three this May, it feels like the right moment to go deeper.

Not to do more, but to do what matters—to bring together the wisdom that’s been with us all along. So we created this collaborative project with Master Qingbai:

循气而安 · The Rhythm of Qi

A seasonal tea and incense experience for your inner rhythm.

It’s a 2 hour journey—not just to taste or smell,

but to slow down, to breathe with awareness, and to gently tune in—

to how your body holds tension, how your energy rises or scatters,

how your emotions shift with changes in light, season, and rhythm.

In Chinese philosophy, balance begins not with control,

but with understanding how we move through the cycles of life—

expanding and contracting, rising and returning.

This is the essence of the Five Elements.

Each element corresponds to a season, and each season to specific organs and emotional qualities.

Spring, linked to the Wood element corresponds to the liver — which governs the smooth flow of Qi and emotions, supports the tendons, and influences vision and clarity of mind.

Summer, ruled by the Fire element, is associated with the heart — which governs blood, supports connection and joy, and shows itself in the face — in one’s complexion, clarity, and overall presence.

When these organs are in harmony, we feel clear, connected, and emotionally open.

When out of sync, we may feel irritable, restless, or scattered.

That’s why tuning into the seasons — through intentional rituals — can be a way to care for ourselves more deeply.

Here in Finland, we are now between Spring and Summer.

Spring belongs to the Wood element, and Summer to Fire.

For this moment of transition, we’ve selected two beautiful teas to match the changing season—paired with two incenses handmade by Master Qingbai, crafted to attune not only the external senses, but also the inner rhythm of the organs.

Join us on May 24th and 25th.

Two teas. Two scents. An afternoon to return to yourself.