What is Japanese Yoga?

It is a dynamic and holistic form of yoga known under many names, the simplest I like to use, is just Japanese Yoga. It is also called Japanese Meridian Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Meridian Yoga Therapy, Remedial Yoga, Okido, Ryoho, or Oki Yoga, which is the name of the founder of this particular kind of practice.

From the same time as Iyengar constructed his famous yoga style using many props and full body awareness, master Oki constructed a practice with minimal props and also full body awareness, which became later known as Japanese Yoga.

It is a form of movement that blends aspects of martial arts, with cleansing forms of more traditional yoga combined with often stronger breaths to release, build strength and balance the body, mind and spirit.

Japanese Yoga is infusing the wisdom of Ancient Chinese medicine, Taoist and Zen practices, with various facets of yoga asana, breath, and meditation.

There is no specific spiritual realm addressed within Japanese Yoga. Unlike in Indian traditional yoga which is intrinsically linked to various Hindu practices, rituals and often devotion, Japanese Yoga draws deeply on the unity and interconnectedness of all things. There are elements of Buddhim and Taoism, such as mindfulness, cultivation of compassion and loving-kindness to yourself and all others.

Japanese Yoga is connecting you to deeply to the body, to the here and now, by synchronising breath with different movements. Depending on the time of day, or the season, or if we want to target a specific area of the body, we adjust the practice accordingly.

It becomes an incredible tool that helps you to ride those waves, adapt easily to change and challenges around you, and build internal and external strength.

Try a class today!