Interview: Kino Macgregor, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher from Miami, talks about her upcoming Japan visit

Interview by Dylan Robertson

Kino MacGregor was certified to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga by its founder Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. In 2006, she and her husband Tim Feldmann founded the Miami Life Center, a community built around yoga, holistic health and consciousness on Miami Beach. Kino also travels throughout the world teaching workshops.

I was excited to learn about Kino’s upcoming Tokyo workshops, hosted by Under The Light Yoga School, and so took the opportunity to ask about what she will be offering students in Tokyo during her visit, and her thoughts and impressions of Japan.

How many times have you been to Japan? What were your first impressions?

I traveled to Japan many times as a small child when my grandfather was still alive. He was Japanese and came over to the U.S. pre-World War II, traveling as the chef to the Japanese ambassador and decided to stay. Then when I was born my family took me over to Japan to meet my Japanese cousins and we went back a few more times before my grandfather passed away.

My impressions of Japan were the blissful memories of a little girl. I remember pools of carp as beautiful fish in the peaceful, serene gardens that we visited. From Nara, I can still see the tame deer surrounding the temple like magical beings living in the peace of the temple grounds. Tokyo was a blur of energy, shopping and fun where I saw tofu for the first time and ate a lot of white rice.

What are your plans for your upcoming Japan visit?

I’ll be teaching four classes at Under The Light. Other than that I hope to get a chance to see some of Tokyo, meet some of my friends who live there, enjoy the city, go shopping, eat at good restaurants, have some fun and experience Japan fully. If I had more time I would love to go the hot springs and spend some time in nature.

What will you be teaching in Tokyo and what can students expect in your workshops here?

Students can expect to laugh, have fun and enjoy a challenge. At Under The Light I will be giving a Friday night seminar that includes an Ashtanga Yoga Demonstration, Sanskrit Chanting, Meditation and a discussion about yoga philosophy where students will have a chance to ask questions. Then on Saturday morning I will teach a traditional Guided Full Primary Series practice session where everyone can get a chance to practice the Ashtanga Yoga method. In the afternoon session on Saturday we will have fun breaking down the principles of strength through inversions including handstanding and more. On Sunday we only have one afternoon session together and there we will cover techniques for back-bending deeply, safely and fearlessly.

What would you like students to be aware of, or keep in mind, when attending your workshops?

The awakened heart of a daily yoga practice is the gift that each practitioner receives when they step on their mat everyday. The transformational power of yoga happens in every breath taken in the practice when it is translated into life learning. The connection between the physical body and the spiritual body is inherent to the daily practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Devotion to the divine occurs in each breath, each posture and each practice.

Many people in Japan shy away from so-called “hard” styles of yoga. They prefer to relax. What advice would you give to students who are a bit intimidated by the stereotypes of Ashtanga Yoga?

When viewing a demonstration of Ashtanga Yoga you often see the most advanced postures and practitioners, but the Ashtanga Yoga method can really be made appropriate for all. If students are intimated by going into a Full Primary Series Ashtanga class, I would suggest either finding a beginner level Ashtanga class or trying a Mysore Style class. In the Mysore Style method of Ashtanga Yoga, students are never asked to do more than they are proficient at, so it really gives both the teacher and student a chance to work at an appropriate level.

A lot of my female students feel they can’t do poses that require a lot of core and upper body strength. Did these come naturally to you? Do you have any advice?

I was not naturally strong when I started yoga. I was always mystified by strength because it seemed so impossible. Instead of believing in the doubt that I felt, I committed myself to the total journey of yoga and over a long period of time strength started to build. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Guruji, always said that we should practice for many years before seeing the results. If I had not heeded his advice, I would have been frustrated with my weakness when I first started and maybe even quit. But because he allowed the learning process of yoga to unfold over a long time, I had the courage to dedicate myself to the practice and believe in myself. After many years of sincere practice in the traditional Ashtanga Yoga method, I found more strength than I ever imagined possible. Now I love teaching the same techniques that I discovered along my inner journey to help pass on the faith and inspiration I received from Guruji.

What do you hope students will take with them from your workshops?

Yoga is a spiritual path that allows life to unfold through you. Asana is a means for each student to know themselves deeply and the level of the posture itself does not determine the depth of transformation or life learning. Students who commit themselves fully to the heart of yoga gain the lasting benefit of living a peaceful life. When the body and mind come together in a moment of harmony we get a glimpse into our eternal nature inside. All yoga practice really aims to give dedicated practitioners this shimmering window into the vastness of our true nature.

Is there anything you would like to see or do during your visit to Japan?

I would love to see as many students as possible in my classes. I am passionate about bringing the spiritual heart of the Ashtanga Yoga method to practitioners around the world. It would be a great honor to see a room full of Ashtangis when I come to Japan.

Is there anything you would like to take home from your visit to Japan? Anything in particular you are looking for in the way of souvenirs?

I would love to take home the spirit of the Japanese culture and the memory of my time spent there. I’m sure that I’ll find something fun to buy and bring home, but I would love to fall in love with Japan and keep that in my heart forever.

Do you have any favorite Japanese foods, sweets or teas that you get regularly back home?

I love sushi, nori snacks, wasabi peas and green tea.

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For more information about Kino MacGregor and her yoga, please see the following links:

• Details on Kino’s upcoming Tokyo workshops
• KinoYoga.com: Kino’s website
• MiamiLifeCenter.com: studio and community founded by Kino and her husband, Tim Feldmann