happy we’re with UMI
Photo credit: Yising Kao
Radiating ethereal energy, UMI sat on the More or Less couch with us to talk us through her mindfulness techniques and the power of meditation. Performing alongside crystal bowls at her now wrapped-up Asia tour, she knows exactly how to balance her jam-packed schedule with her need to stay present, mindful, and healthy. Throughout her career, she has managed to create a space to embrace the human connection beyond the music through spirituality.
Preserving Energy
After discovering they would be opening for Sam Smith at an arena show only a week before the show, UMI took a moment to recognize how life can change in the blink of an eye. This served as a significant reminder for her to live in the present and take life one day at a time. UMI is a strong believer that our energy is precious and she said that thinking too much is a huge waste of it. “I’d rather use my energy to smile and talk to my friends. Only thinking if it makes me feel good,” she expressed. We all could take note of how much energy we’re wasting on thoughts that don’t bring us positive emotions. Which reminds us of the mantra: “Let go of that which does not serve you.”
UMI is extremely intuitive, stating that she believes she has a sixth sense when it comes to energy. She can feel where others need healing and has been practicing to actually be able to provide some relief for her friends and fans. This sixth sense sparked her love and purpose for healing others beyond the music. It’s not very often that we see an artist who cares deeply about their fan’s spiritual alignment and works to provide a peaceful safe space for healing and growing. In high school, UMI could have used this kind of guidance that she provides for others to help with her own personal struggles with anxiety.
Coping with Anxiety
During her senior year of high school, UMI’s anxiety was at an all-time high. Losing hope, she researched into meditation and found a YouTube video with a 10-minute guide. “I’ve never experienced that kind of relief before, I literally started crying,” they said about the immediate they felt after meditating for the first time. Since then, she has taken at least 5 minutes every single morning to herself to get grounded and relaxed before taking on the day and has a whole “meditation toolbox” for whatever she may need on any given day. Using her own personal resources, she recently launched UMIVERSE, a Discord channel providing a supportive community and meditation tips.
Spreading Mindfulness
Knowing how strong the power of meditation can be, UMI strives to spread this with the world in conjunction with her music and live shows. Before each show, she sets an intention to provide the audience with healing and empowerment. While opening for Sam Smith at the Capital One Arena, she started her set by telling the audience to focus on their breathing. “Close your eyes and relax your shoulders. Breathe out and breathe in,” she guides the audience. Even in a space that isn’t fully hers, she can mesmerize an entire arena with her music and her powerful, but lighthearted energy.
Photo credit: David LaMason
Since COVID started, UMI started implementing mindfulness and meditation into her artistry. She recognizes that meditation and spiritual healing techniques are not always easily accessible to everyone. This is why she makes such a strong effort to implement her mindfulness techniques and sound baths into everything she does. Scrolling through her Instagram, you can find countless videos of sound baths, positive affirmations, and guided meditations. Or attend one of her shows, you are bound to come out of it feeling lighter and on a higher plane than when you first entered.
“I’m meant to broaden my platform, expand the music so that I can also share the message of mindfulness and meditation hand in hand together,” she explained. Behind the stage, she does group meditation in her VIP meet and greets and has an active YouTube channel about spirituality and mindfulness called, “Full Moon with UMI”. The meet and greet sessions normally consist of UMI using her crystal singing bowls and leading a guided meditation. She explains that her concerts and meditation shows are a healing experience for everybody involved, including herself. “I witness people’s lives change right in front of me,” she stated explaining how each session leaves her feeling extremely fulfilled.
Healing
You can feel their intention to heal others through their music, especially in their song, “bird’s eye view.” With birds chirping in the background, this self-love ballad has lyrics that will have you feeling like it's time to say “I love you” in the mirror. Or in her latest track, “happy im” you can feel her happiness radiating through the strings in the chorus and her smiley annunciation.
UMI told More or Less that she feels 100% aligned with what she is doing in her artistry and we could not agree more. If there is anything to take away from our conversation with UMI, it is to pay attention to your body and take the time to care for it - whether that means taking the time to meditate or drinking more water. And as UMI gracefully says on stage, do not forget to breathe and ground yourself.
To see more from UMI, follow her on Instagram @whoisumi and listen to her new single “happy im” on all streaming platforms.
Listen to the whole interview with UMI below!
