Photo by Josh Lieberman of JIL Studio

Minako was originally drawn to yoga as a way to manage the autonomic nervous system imbalances she suffered from. So clear were the benefits she gleaned from yoga that Minako has become a lifelong practitioner and devoted herself to sharing the practice with others. Living near Yokota Air Force Base in Tokyo as a child, Minako developed a natural English ability playing with her American friends, and she now interprets for English-speaking yoga teachers, translates yoga-related materials, and teaches English to children and adults through yoga. Having studied with and interpreted for top yoga instructors of many styles—including yogic arts, Anusara, Tibetan Heart Yoga, Yin Yoga, restorative, Maternity Yoga, Mantra Yoga, and Pilates—Minako draws from her diverse experiences to create unique and interesting yoga classes.

Yoga Background

• 2007: Finished Sun & Moon Yoga Studio 100-hour Yoga Teacher Training
• 2009: Finished Tibetan Heart Yoga 300-hour Teacher Training; Finished Yogic Arts 100-hour Teacher Training
• 2010: Finished Ki Do Kids Yoga (yogic arts for kids) 20-hour Teacher Training; Finished Prenatal Yoga 30-hour Yoga Teacher Training by Janice Clarfield; Acquired a certification to teach English at elementary schools

Types of Yoga Taught

Ki Do Kids Yoga, prenatal and postnatal yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, and yogic arts

Teaching Style and Approach

All classes are bilingual in English and Japanese