CHIANG MAI’S STORIED MOAT was what initially drew me to the city when I was looking for a place to live and work abroad. It seemed romantic to live in a place that had so much of its past visible in its present: crumbling city walls literally sinking into the moat. Temples and traditions. I flew out several years ago to see it for myself and haven’t been back to Canada since.
CM is a warm city — the expat community is incredibly kind and openhearted, as is the local population. Many healing practices, including Dance Mandala and medical qi gong, are held at yoga studios in the old city. Participating in these practices enabled me to grow, express myself, and meet amazing people. Dance meditation is so conducive to other forms of creative expression that photographing the experience was a natural extension. My qi gong teacher, a talented photographer herself, gave me the opportunity to document her in action and quickly became one of my favourite models to work with because of her unique energy and talent.
Chiang Mai also hosts many festivals throughout the year, from flower parades and balloon festivals to Loi Krathong and the Thai New Year water celebration, Songkran.