Ikebana will change your world as it has changed mine and everyone else’s who practises it.

My name is Lara Telford. I’m an Ikebana artist and teacher of Sogetsu School of Ikebana- the largest contemporary school in Japan.

Join me and you’ll evoke your creative spirit. With Ikebana you’ll learn new skills, find unexpected encounters with people and nature, experience a profound meditation, and see things you haven’t noticed before. You become more humble, practise to let go, realize that less is more.

You are on a journey of Kadensho-the way of flowers.

Ikebana for me is about beauty – flowers, branches, fruits and vegetables, handmade ceramics, and objects d’art – all these things together become an intricate sculpture. Practising Ikebana allows me a luxury of space and time and a touch on the mystical force of creativity – the most empowering feeling.

Ikebana has become my full time profession, whether it be teaching Ikebana, demonstrating Ikebana, running a workshop, preparing for an Exhibition, researching Ikebana, musing over Japanese aesthetics, or writing about Ikebana.

But most of all, I love teaching Ikebana. I enjoy teaching my students. Their success makes me feel proud, and I learn so much from them. I also enjoy teaching children. They’re quick, free, confident and creative little people. I like to run Sogetsu workshops, to engage in conversation about Japanese culture, concepts and aesthetics.