Wakana was born in Tokyo, and after graduating from a junior college, she set off by herself to take a job at a resort on Miyako Island. She thought she simply wanted to be somewhere warm; however, Wakana was charmed by Okinawa’s natural beauty, and after leaving Miyako Island, she found herself moving to Ishigaki Island. Wakana spent around three years on Ishigaki Island surrounded by it’s warm climate and warm people. She made friends on the island and they had many good times together. Influenced by her friends, Wakana began to become interested in foreign cultures and started to earnestly study English on her own. After briefly returning to Tokyo, she set off for Australia in 2002.

Wakana studied at a language school on Shafston International College’s campus and began a homestay. Australia’s climate and general atmosphere were fascinating and Wakana’s curiosity of Australia began to grow. After departing Brisbane, she took up residence at a backpacker hostel in Bundaberg and began working on a farm. Wakana then stayed on a farm in the suburbs of Perth making goat cheese. She gained many interests and backpacked to various places spending time anywhere she found charming.

After departing Australia In 2003, Wakana took a month trip around Southeast Asia, returned to Tokyo, and a year and a half later, set out for Canada. It was there Wakana first experienced Bikram Yoga. Battling to do yoga in a hot, high-humidity room, she found herself taken aback by how refreshed she felt upon finishing.

In 2005, Wakana returned to Tokyo and began going to school to become a manicurist. In the end, she gave it up because in her heart she knew it wasn’t meant to be her life’s work. Wakana started to work in an office and two years passed as she found herself thinking, “my calling has got to be out there somewhere.” She suddenly began to wonder if maybe working as an instructor would suit her. Wakana promptly quit her job and enrolled in YMC Medical Trainers School in 2009.

Wakana was attracted to the unique school tradition of being able to study both Seitai and yoga, and she devoted her days to studying yoga.

Now that Wakana has received formal qualifications, she currently works at major sport clubs and yoga studios teaching Hatha Yoga, pelvic yoga, and aroma yoga. She’s glad to help show people how wonderful yoga can be. Also, Wakana feels that the difficulty of this job helps her personal growth, so she’s proud to be a yoga instructor.

From when Wakana first started yoga up until now, she’s surprised how she was ever able to live without it. After she’s undergone some kind of change, she makes sure to end the day by regaining her mental balance. Wakana believes yoga is clearly the best method for balancing the mind and body.