1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?:
Seated meditation was our first journey toward mindfulness, it was a difficult practice for us to sit still and enjoy each passing moment. Why? Because we hate sitting still!! Being half Japanese, the practice of mindfulness has always been a part of our lives…thanks, Dad! But so has our high levels of energy! Yes, we are also half Italian…Thanks, mom!
So when the practice of yoga fell into our laps, it was the perfect match! Moving meditation! Connecting deeply with each muscle in your body while being in the moment, and enjoying it! We have to admit, we were a little bit intimidated by the practice of yoga. We knew our bodies weren’t exactly pretzels like all the photos and videos we’ve seen, but we kept at it! Feeling better and better after each experience. As we took more classes and slowly discovered new aspects of our mind and how we can connect with our bodies, we fell in love!
2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?:
We still consider ourselves beginner yogis, and are stretching our way towards becoming certified instructors. Although we aren’t leaders yet, we both wanted to share our journey along the way! We hope to connect with and hopefully inspire others to get into the yoga groove and feel okay with their practice no matter where they’re at! We still flop around and fall in new poses but boy have we learned a lot!
3. What makes your classes unique?:
Not having a mat that we could truly connect with, we found a small piece of guilt in our practice. How could we feel at peace if we aren’t using a yoga mat inline with our beliefs? Our deep belief is that each decision we make casts a vote for what we support + has a direct impact on our planet and those around us.
Slipping and sliding on a conventional (chemical-based) rubber mat, we began searching for new eco-friendly alternatives. Few options were available, and when we finally stumbled upon the idea of a natural cork mat, that was it! We set off on a mission to bring cork yoga mats to our yoga family. Things spiraled out from there, and we started getting such amazing feedback that we couldn’t stop! There were too many benefits, and it all made too much sense! A yoga mat made of tree bark?! Great! But guess what, cork actually provides exceptional grip (even more so when you sweat) + cork is a naturally self-cleaning, anti-bacterial material! Not to mention it is super soft and very durable. Just like Birkenstock shoes 🙂
4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?:
Along with our mat, music was another experience that elevated our practice. This is especially evident during chaotic days when our practice is limited to 10 or 20-minute sessions. Having a regular playlist has built a nice structure around our practice. Creating an easy routine to get right into a quiet + mindful place. If you find your mind drifting frequently during practice, music is a beautiful addition to quiet the mind of all your thoughts and experiences during the day, week or even month.
5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online:
Give us a follow on our social media accounts + stay tuned for our next giveaway!
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