Routines & Rituals with Miwa Sakamoto
Miwa Sakamoto is a model and teacher at Los Angeles’ Movement Co. It’s an in-person and online studio with a philosophy that we love, one that believes we are all meant to move and that workouts are a celebration of our body — not a punishment. This same love for physicality is infused into Miwa’s daily routines and rituals. In fact, we love that she shares the power of daily walks to process emotions, thoughts, and even answer emails! Read on and learn more about Miwa’s story and tips to fully land in your body every day.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you find yourself in the wellness space, specifically in movement?
A: Hi! My name is Miwa Sakamoto. I’m a Pilates instructor and model and while that all sounds very LA (which is where I am from), I believe I bring a unique perspective to both my professions.Fortunately, I grew up attending a Waldorf School, which has a really beautiful way of integrating academics, art, and personal expression. In my opinion, this form of early education has played a huge role in shaping my perspective and philosophy of life and naturally led me to my understanding of the wellness space. From a young age, I was shown that everything is connected and because of that, I’ve always been conscious of the delicate dance of wellness — one that balances mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.In terms of movement, I’ve been fascinated with the body and the way it moves makes me feel alive for as long as I can remember — I’ve also always had an excess of energy. At first, this meant just playing any sport I could convince my parents to enroll me in, but eventually through a series of injuries and mental health obstacles, I realized that movement wasn’t important to me just because I was hyper. Instead it was the best vehicle for me to truly process things, relate to the world, and share my joy with other people.
Q: Do you have a consistent daily am and/or pm routine? Or do you mix it up?
A: I love a good morning routine! Actually, morning is my favorite time of day. No matter what, my body naturally wakes up around 6:30 am to 7:00 am — so I guess that’s a good thing :)Before I get going with the day, I try to lay in bed for a few breaths and really focus on my gratitude for another day, and for my family and friends. This is actually pretty important to me because I really think taking that moment before anything else to acknowledge the good, helps set the tone for the rest of the day. Usually, I dry brush my body and face and then put on this really great mask with honey and pearl from Living Libations. I take my probiotics and make a smoothie and wash off the mask to do a little workout (if I’m not teaching). After that is my favorite and newest obsession — I make a latte with almond milk, the Warm Feelings™ saffron latte, and decaf coffee and go for a walk. This is going to sound bad, but during my walk is also when I try to answer emails — again, I process things by moving!
Q: How does the natural world support your modern life?
A: The natural world is such a good reminder of patience and the beauty of cycles. Modern life can speed things up and warps things out of proportion. Being able to see how gracefully and intentionally the plants on a hike grow, or how calmly and powerfully the ocean ebbs and flows supports my sense of belonging and timing even when things get a little chaotic.
Q: Do you have any rituals that you practice daily, weekly, or monthly?
A: I try to take a walk every night after dinner and love the stillness of the city in the evening. Because I grew up in LA and it has changed so much over the years, I think I have a nostalgia for an older version of LA that somehow I feel closer to at night. Other rituals include going to the farmers market at least once a week. Getting my veggies from the market makes them feel so much more alive! Plus, my best friend sources produce from the farmers markets for a local restaurant group — so I always have the inside scoop on the best and ripest items in season! Monthly, I try to get out of LA. Leaving for a bit makes me love my home more, even if it's just for a day, I feel like it gives me more perspective on everything.
Q: Are there any particular foods or botanicals that align with your beauty routine or self-care practice?
A: It may sound strange, but I have an affinity with bees and honey. Almost every time I go into nature, a bee will land on me and say hello. So I guess it makes sense that I use honey for everything — to sweeten desserts, as a face mask, for sore throats, and on toast!
Q: What do you wish people knew about the wellness industry?
A: That intuition will always guide you to the best thing for you. There is so much noise in the wellness industry, when we turn it down, we can really listen to ourselves and the needs of our bodies. Rather than reading and researching wellness information online, your intuition may speak to you through recommendations that resonate from a close friend or you may feel moved by someone's story at an event. In my experience, gut feeling has always been my best guidance in navigating the wellness industry.Miwa Sakamoto is a model and passionate Pilates teacher. From a young age she had a serious fascination and love for both movement and energy. Over the years she has tried her hand at almost every sport you can name. As she grew older, this passion and joy only grew and led her to share her love through eclectic, fresh, and challenging Pilates classes that prioritize the muscle-mind connection and are accessible to everyone. When she’s not teaching at LA studio Movement Co., you can find her modeling, running, cooking, or deep in philosophical conversations with her friends (usually in the car).
