Ari Koinuma

Music Is Life.

That's why we need to listen.

Welcome, Friend!

I explore an unconventional mix of rock music, guitars, personal development/self improvement, and mental health. I invite you to come with me on my journeys, so I can share what I learn.

Ari Portrait by Amy Colleen

Topics

Music Commentary

As a music fanatic, it means a great deal when a song speaks to me. Good songs are like air and food to me, I need a steady supply of them to fuel my life....

Life Insights

I'm constantly on the lookout for deeper meaning and understanding of life, with a particular focus on psychology and mental health. I'm forever a student of life, and they say the best way to learn...

For Musicians

Music is a challenging pursuit, so I enjoy sharing lessons learned with my fellow musicians. Particularly, I have something to say about songwriting and guitars, but I sometimes touch on arranging, singing, recording production and music...

Unlocking the Mystery: How Toad the Wet Sprocket’s “All I Want” Uplifts

Toad the Wet Sprocket is one of my all-time heroes. It’s hard to put into words what this band means to me, but one quality I admire in their music is relatability. There’s something about Toad’s music that connects to what life feels like. It’s that sense of “yeah, that’s how …

Why It’s Important to Get Used to the Feelings You Desire

I’ve been meditating daily using a guided meditation app Headspace. In the Appreciation series the guide, Andy, discussed how it’s important to become familiar with the feeling of gratitude, because it helps you start feeling that way more often in real life. He didn’t elaborate on why that is, but …

June 29, 2017 June 28, 2017 Life Insights emotional muscle / gratitude / stuck emotions

Why I Choose to Do What I Shouldn’t

It’s curious how our conscious mind can choose actions that we later regret, even when we know it ahead of time. I find myself giving in or getting talked into the “wrong” choices. “Just a little bit and then I’ll quit, it’ll be fun,” I would think, and I’d be …

June 23, 2017 June 22, 2017 Life Insights addiction / stuck emotions

How Rock n Roll Empowers Me

Recently I realized that beneath my other negative beliefs and insecurities lie a sense of powerlessness. For example, when I pick up my guitar and play something, I often gravitate toward licks I can’t play. But instead of finding it a fun challenge, my mind usually starts lamenting and berating. It’s …

June 22, 2017 June 21, 2017 Life Insights / Music Commentary KXM

What I Do to Prevent Relapse of My Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

I’ve had wrist and elbow problems on and off for years, but ever since going through a more serious episode of cubital tunnel syndrome in 2013, I’ve taken strides to improve my health and keep physical problems at bay. I still feel a slight burning sensation in my elbow sometimes, which reminds …

June 21, 2017 June 21, 2017 For Musicians cubital tunnel syndrome / Dr. Schulze's / Michael Brown / stuck emotions