Squeezing in Yoga Classes in Tokyo…

Been curious about this outdoor summer? event (it was snowing this time of the year!), utube recording from 2 years ago at a park in Roppongi – one station away from Hiroo – perhaps someday attend this kind of a consciousness raising event – to the ocean:) Human ocean at a park in the big city…Some translations interpreter did not translate since the audience is Japanese – outburst of “ITAI” = “ouch!” & popular term, “gaman” a commonly used word especially by parents admonishing children- with Zen Buddhist origin meaning “enduring the unbearable with patience and dignity” = “gaman”… a THICK mat should help alleviate the discomfort…& stay PRESENT:) Be in the NOW:)

******************** Last night in Tokyo, Friday the 6th. ***********************
A big moon, almost a full moon followed me all the way to Haneda airport – every time I looked out the taxi window to my left, there it was – a big moon shining above the Tokyo skyline… Last Wednesday in Japan was old calendar New Year’s celebration, an auspicious day…and a full moon. Also ran into First Snow of this winter season last week in Tokyo… freezing cold but toasty warm inside… photos coming when I get over from this jet lag. I am lacking one night’s sleep and feel… drained… head spin with a vertigo. I am in my elements there and rarely suffer from a jet lag but as soon as I get back to California time, I am a bit off balance. Other than my own home practice, I only had the time to drop into 2 yoga classes – held on 31st floor in Ginza highriser – overlooking red red Tokyo tower – really heavenly:) Lovely instructor, Taeko Kubota. I like the way she incorporates a more traditional Japanese and simple lymphatic drainage self-care methods before the actual start of the class… and the fact that she is SO polite and gracious.

Last year when I dropped in on her class in September, seemed like she only had a handful of ladies but this time…the class size had tripled – and surprise, this time, few husbands/gentlemen too – like 3? One of the 3 gentlemen was so cute – when the class was over – the instructor do not say “Namaste” at a non-yoga studio setting in Japan – the instructor just says “Arigato-gozaimashita” (thank you very much) – this gentleman started clapping as in applauding, kind of like a child. Us ladies just had to laugh at his child-like enthusiasm because the class usually ends in a rather solemn tone after a savasana where she does an adjustment for each student – this gentleman was old enough to be our father but he had this sweet positive energy we can learn from – I thought – why not? we should be applauding – clapping in joy after finishing a yoga class:) It’s a joyful moment when you feel so clear-headed, light & free. That feeling of joy – of arriving even though she did not instruct not even one down dog or plank in her sequence … no sun salute – so NOT Western and yet feels so lovely – it’s effervescent & sparkly – no power. All about balance and lightness…JOY:)

After the class, I asked who she went to or who she would want to take a class from as an instructor – a basic recommendation I ask other instructors, and … of course, turns out to be the exact same class I had hoped to attend – among few others. I really wanted to go to this amazing yoga teacher’s class but could not make it because my mother’s needs became much much greater – but purchased yet another of his books instead ! I will introduce this amazing Japanese yogi – Akira Watamoto sensei! There’s a subtle difference between Japanese interpretation of yoga to Western (or American) interpretation of yoga… not better or worse – just different based on different culture and lifestyle – that’s just my thought as I can’t help but always compare and contrast. My busy mind needs to be tamed through the practice of meditation?

Scientific and medical research proves that grey matter actually grows with steady and consistent practice of meditation – I don’t feel any smarter:) but I feel more at peace within and that’s enough for me at the present.

Moon River by Yuki