Yoga in Kurahashi

Back in Minnesota I had done yoga several times but never had gone consistently. Fortunately there is an informal yoga class not far from my apartment every Friday night that I attend.

Morimoto-sensei invited me to attend yoga with his family members and some of his employees. I was very excited and even though I enjoyed doing yoga back in the states, I had never paid for any yoga sessions (just did a free week of core-power and participated in other free classes). Lucky for me, these yoga classes do not cost any money.

The class begins at 7:15pm and is just a little over a mile away from my apartment. Usually bike and occasionally jog there.

I’ve noticed just about everything in Japan is very structured and routine.

Upon arrival at approx. 7pm, the instructor Idehata-san is there.  Two Morimoto-Sensei employees Kanda-san and Honjo-san usually show up next and we make small talk about how frigid it is, despite it not being frigid at all. Hah.

Then Morimoto-sensei’s wife comes with her daughter Miho and they get their mats situated. They being some soft flowing music that we listen to everytime and that usually get my mind set for yoga. Thing of the ring right now makes me want to do yoga!

We (6 females and me) start out by sitting cross-legged and doing some arm movements that lead to prayers style hands into a bow while saying “Onegaishimasu” (literally means “please” but I kind of translate it as “let’s enjoy this yoga session together”).

This is followed by warming up our cold feet and stretching out the toes. Despite not understanding 100% what she is saying, a lot can be understand by watching her and the gestures the instructor makes.

Idehata-san leads us in many stretches and puts lots of emphasis in having a straight back and firm stomach. It’s funny because she will often slap my lower stomach and tell me to keep that feeling in my conscious. She also will tilt my head back, push my chin in and pulls me upwards by the hair on the top of my head (I have pretty bad posture).

It’s nice because after demonstrating a move, Idehata-san will go through the room and assist people in their movements, usually tending to my sloppy form first. It’s interesting being the only guy at the yoga class and it is very clear that Japanese women are much more flexible than American men. Although that is a broad generalization, generally speaking, Japanese people seem to be more flexible than americans with them being very comfortable sitting cross-legged on the ground, and any of their bodies carrying less weight and being more compact than our American counterparts. I feel like an uncoordinated monster in the class sometimes but have learned to embrace that goofy feeling.  Idehata-san is currently trying to help me with my “Nekizei” (cat-back) because I have a hunch in my back.

Class tends to go through close the to the same procedure every time with few variations thrown in for whatever the specific focus is of that day (knees, back, liver, constipation, insomnia).

Many times, I find myself struggling to get through the stretches and am often limited in properly doing the exercises because my knees are so stiff and I can’t comfortably sit cross-legged (yet). I’ve noticed that I have become much more comfortable with sitting cross-legged since arriving here though.

At about 8:50pm we are finished with the yoga and split into pairs for partner Shiatsu. This is my favorite part. The first couple classes attended I was with the instructor and just she did Shiatsu to me. Then that transitioned to me doing the Shiatsu to her and then now if there is an even number of yoga participants, I will be paired up with Kanda-san who is very nice (despite not having the strongest hands). It feels so good to have Shiatsu done one us after a difficult yoga session and after the couple minutes of receiving the shiatsu is finished, I usually become very sleepy and relaxed. Wished we would do 1 hour of shiatsu and massage! Am interested in taking massage classes when I get back to the states.

After we finish the Shiatsu we gather our yoga mats and arrange the doctor office a little bit for the next day. Occasionally someone will bring treats or something to pass out after class and we slowly make our way out the door saying goodbye to everyone.

I always feel very relaxed and comfortable after yoga lessons and notice I can get to sleep very quickly on Friday nights because of how relaxed I become. I make it a priority to make it to yoga every week and feel a nice since of community and friendship with the others.

Consistently doing yoga for the last few months have got me more in touch with my body and has helped me be more aware of my posture.  I feel like I have better body balance and definitely feel it has improved my running.

I’m very grateful for the opportunity to do yoga in Kurahashi every week and I look forward to continuing doing it!

Yoga words-
Nobiru-to stretch, to lengthen

Sesuji-muscles along spine

Hipparu- to pull tight

Haite-exhale

Sutte-inhale

Kanzou-Liver

Benpi-constipation

Fuminshou-Insomnia

Yoga Members:
Instructor Idehata-san

Morimoto-san

Kanda-san shiatsu partner

Honjo-san

Sayaka-Morimoto Sensei’s daughter

Miho-Morimoto Sensei’s daughter

Wrote this back in December but haven't posted in until now! :(