Artist Ari Surya on Motherhood and the Magic of Self-Care

Rip & Tan: You’re a true multi-hyphenate in every sense of the word. Tell us a bit about your career arc as an artist, writer, and reiki healer.

Ari Surya: For as long as I can remember, I have had a deep love for the arts, whether it was singing for my family on holidays and birthdays, dance classes, or painting. My previous artwork includes handcrafted art installations, photo series, a collaborative zine “Rising to the Sun”, and a vast collection of writing and poetry. My art is meant to take you on a journey of my own experiences through self-discovery and self-love. 

I started writing in high school just as a form of self-care, it was always something therapeutic for me. It started with journaling then became another art form to express myself.

My passion is to help others heal, whether it’s through art, just by being, or in the literal sense—that’s where reiki comes in. I wanted to find another way that I can help others and reiki felt like the best way for me to do just that. 

Rip & Tan: What projects are you currently working on?

Ari Surya: At the moment I’m not working on any projects, being a new mom has taken up most of my time and I am enjoying being as present as possible with my son. 

Rip & Tan: You gave birth to your son, Marley, during the pandemic. What was your postpartum experience like during these days spent at home?

Ari Surya: It has definitely been challenging! In the beginning, pretty much everything was closed so being home all the time really affected my mood negatively. As time went on I started to create a routine that made it easier for my partner and me. We started hiking once a month and taking walks around our neighborhood with Marley and that really helped. I also try to get outside at least once a day—even if it means just stepping out in my garden for a few minutes to take a deep breath. 

Rip & Tan: How has motherhood changed your perspective both creatively and beyond?

Ari Surya: Motherhood has changed my perspective immensely! It has helped me be patient with long-term goals and celebrate the little wins more because we do that with our children, like applauding them for burping or holding something for the first time. I’m also kinder to myself and others—treating myself and others as I treat my son.

Creatively, it’s changed the fact that I’m not so worried about producing many things quickly, realizing that quality over quantity is a lot more important. I plan to have fewer projects that are bigger and spending more time with them before releasing them. 

Rip & Tan: How would you describe your personal style? How has it evolved since becoming a mother?

Ari Surya: Colorful, monochromatic, boho, and youthful. I think the only thing that has evolved since being a mother is being more confident in my body and not being afraid of showing it a bit more.

Rip & Tan: We’d love to learn more about your work as a reiki healer. How did you get started and, for those uninitiated, what does reiki healing entail?

Ari Surya: I started taking wellness seriously a year out of high school and did a lot of research on a more holistic approach to healing the mind and body. I ended up having my first reiki session at a wellness event. After feeling so at peace and calm following the session, I knew this was something I wanted to do for others. I then found a program nearby, led by a woman of color (which was important to me), and took her reiki 1 & 2 courses at Wellness Uprising in September of 2019.

About two months after completing the course, I started taking clients. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It involves helping to create a state of energetic balance. When performing reiki, I move through each chakra to release energetic blocks and create balance. It can be a 30-60 minute process.

Rip & Tan: From recipes to forms of self-care, what are five things you currently can’t live without?

Ari Surya: A delicious coffee or matcha daily, walking around my neighborhood or park a couple times a week, the Fabulous app, my “feelin myself playlist, and at least one self-care day a week, which includes a face mask, hair mask, and a long shower or bath.

Rip & Tan: What does living well mean to you?

Ari Surya: To me, living well means living in your truth, doing the things you know will make you feel good mentally, physically, and emotionally and sticking to it but also being kind to yourself if you have an off day.