A growing number of the top yoga studios in Tokyo been posting information about their English-language yoga workshops, teacher training courses and other events. A number of members have also been writing self-introductions, which is great too.

What is Mixi?

Mixi is the most popular social networking service (SNS) website in Japan. Despite the entry of major global competitors such as Facebook and MySpace, Mixi has maintained the leading position among SNS in the Japan market. Mixi’s approach to information privacy, being invitation-only, it’s unique Japanese-style design and accessibility via Japanese mobile phones seems to be a better fit for Japanese users than the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach of the global SNS providers.

Why Make a Mixi Community?

Currently, all content on HelloYoga.com (the site you are currently looking at) is in English. Although we do have a Japanese translation of our “About” page as a courtesy to Japanese visitors, the site is designed to cater to Tokyo’s English-speaking yoga community.

To cater to Japanese people who prefer to read information in their native language and who prefer to access the Internet via a Japanese mobile phone (keitai), we also offer the Hello Yoga! Mixi Community. It acts as a forum to allow everybody to share information about yoga taught in English in Tokyo including classes, workshops, events, retreats and teacher training courses.

How Do I Join?

You will first need to get a Mixi account. You must be invited by an existing member of Mixi. If you don’t have an account, just contact me and I’ll invite you.

How Do I Post Information?

Everybody is welcome to freely post:

1. Posting in the Self-introduction Topic is a great way to let people know who you are and tell people what kind of things you are looking for. A number of yoga teachers and studios also use this to let the community know what they offer.
2. Yoga teachers and studios are welcome to post notices about classes, workshops, retreats, courses or events in the Announcements Topic.
3. Did you go to a great class or workshop? Discover a new studio? Go ahead and post about it in the Reports Topic. For yoga teachers and studios, posting reports of your events with photos provides credibility and creates interest in your future events.

But, I Can’t Read or Write Japanese!

Mixi is a great way to practice reading and writing Japanese. Because you’re focusing on your interests and communicating, it’s fun and doesn’t feel like studying.

Some useful tools to help with reading Japanese are:

• Rikkaichan plugin for Firefox web browser: instant dictionary – just move your mouse to a word and the English translation pops up
• OCN Translation or Google Translate: for translating the whole web-page

As for writing Japanese, this is a challenge for me too. Rather than bother my Japanese friends or try to struggle and write in Japanese myself, I just use MyGengo.com. It’s a cheap and fast translation service that is great for translating your self-introduction, yoga event notices and yoga event reports.

If you’re not already a member, please join! It’s 100% free and you can share information about yoga taught in English in Tokyo including classes, workshops, events, retreats and teacher training courses. Don’t worry – it’s very easy to use! Everybody is welcome to post in this group.

Here are the features of our Facebook Group that you’ll love:

1. The Wall

Something on your mind? Why not try a yoga class and then share your thoughts and feelings about it with us? Tell us your recommendations and suggestions for the studios and teachers you like.

Anyone offering yoga in English in Tokyo is welcome to promote their classes and events. It’s 100% free and you don’t need to ask permission – go ahead and post notices, links, photos and videos! It’s a great way to reach Tokyo’s English speaking yoga community.

2. Discussions

Got a question? Something you’d like to discuss or get feedback on? The discussions section is a forum where you can chat about anything that’s on your mind. Go ahead and start a new topic or participate in an ongoing discussion. This section of our Facebook group is new and I’d love for you to all participate more.

3. Photos

Here is a place were we can all share photos. I’ve started it off with some pics of events and the studio where I teach. Go ahead and add your photos too.

4. Video

YogaJaya have very kindly posted some of their fantastic videos here – check them out! Don’t worry if yours aren’t as slick looking as theirs, we’d still love to see them! Go ahead and post your videos here.

5. Events

I post most events on HelloYoga.com, but occasionally we find that it’s good to post events directly in this Facebook group so we can send out invitations to all members. If you’d like to post an event here, just let me know. In August, we got a lot of attendees for Sebastian Bruno’s Partner Yoga workshops via using this feature.

5 TIPS FOR AVOIDING BURNOUT IN TOKYO

1. Less is More
If you are tired every week, maturely accept the fact that you need to slow down and simplify your life. You’re not serving anybody by being stale, droning, boring, with no smile or energy.

2. Leave Early for Appointments
When you are in a hurry to get somewhere or get something done, Tokyo has this magical way of throwing everything it has at you to slow you down – delayed trains, dense crowds, phone calls, emails, etc. And, in your rush, you’ll likely forget to bring something important. More than once I’ve see yoga instructors teach a class in their jeans because they forgot to bring their yoga wear! You can find the optimum train route using Jorudan’s Train Route Finder in English.

3. Get Help
Stop trying to do everything by yourself. Focus on your strengths and give the rest to others. Look into housekeeping services. Hire an accountant to take care of the your finances. If it’s not your strong point and you don’t enjoy doing it, then outsource it.

4. Say “No”
You can’t be and do everything for everyone all the time. Slow down and simplify your schedule. Nobody wants to spend time around you if you are tired and stressed. So, you’re actually doing a favor to yourself and to others by only showing up when you’re at your best.

5. Don’t Compromise on Your Yoga Practice
If you don’t have time for a minimum of 30 minutes of quality self practice every day, then you are too busy and need to find ways to slow down and do less. Stop multitasking and practice mindfulness during mundane tasks such as commuting, housework or eating. Practice drishti (focusing on one point) when in crowded areas or on trains to avoid losing your center.

5 TIPS FOR WHEN YOU’RE OUT OF BALANCE

1. Be Honest About Your Condition
If you’re tired, be honest about it, but do your best anyway. No point in trying to fake being full of energy because people will see through it. Just go ahead and be the best tired person you can be. And, be very patient, openly expressing your anger or frustration in Japan is not so accepted as in other countries.

2. Internet Cafes
These have private booths with reclining chairs that cost around 500 yen per hour in central Tokyo. Bring your noise canceling headphones or earplugs, blackout eye covers (often available at the counter for 100 yen each), and settle in for a power nap between appointments. Set your mobile phone alarm to wake you (set it on vibrate so you don’t annoy your ‘neighbors’!). Internet cafes are known by several names in Japanese: “manga kissa” (comic book cafes), “intaanetto caffei” (internet cafe), or just “netto caffei” (net cafe). Ask the officer on duty at the “kokban” (police box) – there is one near every station, their main job is to give directions and they know their neighborhood very well.

3. Supplement Drinks
Not sure of the correct term for these little brown glass bottles with concoctions of vitamins, Chinese medicine, herbs, caffeine, sugar and nicotine – basically anything legal that will pump you up. Some area healthier than others. Best to avoid them and only use in ‘emergencies’.

4. Headstand
If you have a few moments, practice headstand (and be careful because your balance will be off when you’re tired).

5. Focus on the Needs of Others
Take your attention off your fatigue and onto the needs of others. The more energy you give, the more you’ll get back.

Comments or Suggestions?

How do you stay in balance in Tokyo? Any tips for the rest of us?

Dylan: When did Sun and Moon Yoga Studio open?

Leza: Six years ago, on December 15th, 2003. We were one of the first small neighborhood studios to open, before the big yoga “boom.”

Dylan: I first came to Sun and Moon in 2004. It’s been five years, but the studio is still looking great. It just goes to show that it’s worth investing in good workmanship.

Leza: The craftsmen who built this studio also build sento (traditional Japanese bathhouses) and have done so for half a century. They use eco-friendly material and did the work with hand tools. I feel their loving care is embodied in the studio.

Dylan: Yes, it’s a very nice intimate space with good energy. I always enjoyed your classes and how you hold the space with your positive energy and vibe. I find myself smiling even during the more difficult poses.

Leza: It’s really important for a teacher to marshal the energy of the class, because each person has an individual purpose in being there and you want to help that purpose unfold. Like preparing dinner for a friend: if you just throw something together, it might come out ok, but you could really put your love and energy into selecting good ingredients, cooking them lovingly, creating a nice setting, then through your intention, you can raise the vibration and potentiality of the experience. Sun and Moon is my home, and people who come here feel it’s their home, too. So it’s important that the space is comfortable, welcoming and always positive.

Dylan: I liked the chanting we did at the start of your class. What instrument were you playing?

Leza: It’s called a harmonium; a cross between a harmonica, accordion and piano. It was made in New Delhi by a family who specializes in them. Four years ago, I first studied in India at the Varanasi School of Classical Music, and worked with Gina Sala and Mercedes Bahleda. I played the piano since I was a child, so I enjoy the harmonium, but I’ve got much to learn.

Dylan: It’s a different experience, because not many studios really incorporate chanting and I’ve never been to one that uses a harmonium.

Leza: Chanting is something that really strikes open the heart. When chanting the names of the divine, you’re really chanting to the sacred within yourself, to everyone around you and to everyone in the world. It’s a wonderful way to open yourself and bring people together.

Dylan: I used to feel awkward when I chanted but I was fine tonight. I guess it was you.

Leza: Maybe it was you! Well, I think it’s okay to feel awkward and still chant; the chants will take care of you. It doesn’t really matter as long as you’re there and you feel the vibration. People who find it difficult to follow the words can just hum along, and that’s perfectly fine. Each Sanskrit letter has a sacred vibration. You pick up on that, and it’s so uplifting.

Dylan: I notice the growing collection of the books on display that you’ve authored, co-authored or contributed to.

Leza: Yoga opens you up in so many ways, one of them is by freeing your channels of creativity and silencing your “inner critic.” Ten years ago I wrote, Yoga Poems: Lines to Unfold By, inspired by each yoga pose. With Reema Datta, I later co-authored Sacred Sanskrit Words, a compendium of Sanskrit phrases for yoga. Lately, I’ve published a book of fiction about Tokyo called Green Tea to Go and more. I just finished a book retelling the ancient Jataka tales, when Buddha was incarnated as various animals. Amanda Giacomini (MC Yogi’s wife) is doing the paintings. When I need to learn something, the best way is to write about it. So I’ve published 16 books so far and have no plans to stop any time soon.

Dylan: How do yoga and writing work together?

Leza: Writing and art are “revelatory.” They reveal things to you. Yoga has that same magic quality of showing you things you might overlook. Poetry can help you see the extraordinary in the ordinary; Yoga helps you really wake up to the magic, sacredness, celebration and beauty of life. Your yoga practice should make you more alive, more expressive, more passionate and courageous. But it’s a discipline. In art, you figure out the problems through DOING, not THINKING. For me, both yoga and writing are about staying with it and listening more deeply, letting go of the outcome. Working in the yoga poses ties into creativity because you fail many times in a pose. And finally, there’s nowhere to get to, you just say: this is my pose. You accept it through surrendering to the process.

Dylan: Yoga boomed in Japan around 2005. What’s happening now?

Leza: Then, a lot of it was the purely physical practice. Now, people are more interested in exploring other aspects like spirituality, chanting, healing, meditation, Tantra, or more practical ways to apply yoga to their work and daily lives.

Dylan: When people are looking through the menu of what’s available in terms of yoga here in Tokyo, there are many asana workshops, so the other more spiritual or holistic workshops tend to stand out and people are now gravitating towards them.

Leza: Even if people start out with physical, if you get deep enough into your practice, asana changes your breath and energy, which in turn change your thoughts. This changes your lifestyle and your actions, changing your karma. Through yoga, you can’t help but become more integrated. We can have a big impact by living holistic lifestyles and modeling holistic relationships.

Dylan: What do you mean by holistic relationships?

Leza: We’re all interconnected. By practicing the yamas and the niyamas, respecting others, the planet and the environment as if we’re all related, we can live from a place of interconnectedness and inspire others to do so. That’s really my mission now. Sun and Moon is exploring the spiritual elements of yoga by practicing SEVA (Service) and Karma Yoga in our communities and around the world, sponsoring projects for Yoga in Africa, helping war-torn families in Kabul, supporting the charity Yoga Aid Japan, and opening a Japan branch of YCIP, the Yoga Classics Input Project, sponsoring Tibetan refugee families inputting sacred yogic texts that might otherwise be lost. Karma Yoga is something we hope to share with people on a much larger scale here in Japan. The time is ripe.

For more information on Leza Lowitz, Sun and Moon Yoga Studio and the Yoga Classics Input Project, please see the following websites.

• Leza Lowitz: www.lezalowitz.com
• Sun and Moon Yoga Studio: www.sunandmoon.jp
• YCIP English Site: www.yogaclassics.org
• YCIP Japanese Site: www.yogaclassicsjapan.org

In case you’re not familiar with Twitter, here is a description from Wikipedia:

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to the author’s subscribers who are known as followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS) or external applications.

If you don’t already have an account, go ahead and sign-up. It’s free and you can keep up with all the news from Tokyo’s English-speaking yoga community!

http://twitter.com/helloyoga

Dylan: How did you first learn about bamboo fabrics, and how did you come across this line of yoga wear?

Dani: I decided about four years ago to re-evaluate my purchasing habits and among them decided I would only purchase clothing made from sustainable textiles. I kept what I had, but decided that anything new that I purchased would have to be created with environmental, cultural and social sustainability in mind. In my search for alternatives, I came across a local designer (Vancouver, Canada), who was making bamboo yoga and lifestyle wear. I loved her designs, which espoused the “less is more” philosophy by offering pieces can be worn inside – out for a different color, skirts became dresses – it’s very workable and great for travel.

Dylan: Why is bamboo fabric better for the environment?

Dani: Synthetic clothing is derived from petroleum – a non-renewable resource and factories create a lot of industrial waste in the manufacturing of these textiles. In contrast, bamboo is a fast growing, hardy and disease-resistant plant that can be harvested and continue to grow without the need of chemical pesticides, fertilizers or fungicides and doesn’t require a lot of water resources.

Dylan: When you said “sustainable fabrics”, one of the first things that came to mind was cotton.

Dani: When people think of “natural”, they think of wool or cotton, which are not synthetic so they must be good. But in fact, cotton is a vulnerable crop that requires a lot of support to grow and is one of the highest users of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, fungicides. It uses a phenomenal amount of water to grow. About a 1/3lb of chemical pesticides and about 300 gallons of water are used to create a single cotton t-shirt.

I love bamboo as a plant so I was very attracted to a well made bamboo product. There are many bamboo products on the market coming out of China that use a lot of toxic chemicals in the processing of the bamboo. Movement’s bamboo textiles are made, designed and produced in Canada and are unbleached or use Oeko-Tex dyes which are low profile dyes that hold to the fabric. Compared with cotton, which only holds about 50% of its dye and creates great industrial waste by polluting our waterways.

Comprised of 68% pure bamboo, 28% organic cotton and small amount of spandex for the stretch, at 4%, Movement clothing wears extraordinarily well. It is durable, keeps its color after repeated washings, and at the end of its life it is biodegradable without leaving a chemical footprint.

Dylan: What other advantages do bamboo fabrics offer?

Dani: To me, there is no substitute when you compare bamboo to technical fibers that may wick moisture but are made from petrol chemicals. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it seems crazy to me to be wearing synthetic clothing for anything let alone yoga, where you’re seeking health and to live gently in the world!

I personally find that clothing made from bamboo fabric stays fresher and doesn’t require washing every time I wear it. Bamboo fabric is a wonderful layer and is great for summer and winter. In the summer the bamboo fibers have an almost down-like quality with pockets of air that make it breathable and protect you from the heat (and cooler than cotton). Whereas layered in the winter, it keeps the warmth. This makes it an all-seasons type of fabric.

Dylan: Tell us about the maker of the range that you carry.

Dani: Amrita Sondhi was one of the co – founders of Lululemon which came out of Vancouver, Canada. She’s a yoga teacher herself and has published an Ayurvedic cookbook. She’s a very talented woman. We became friends through my interest in her line of clothing and as someone who’s committed to the earth and giving back to the community. A portion of sale proceeds go to the Pamoja Foundation, a micro-financing organisation in Kenya. With my moving to Japan, we decided to introduce Movement here.

Dylan: What kind of designs and colors do you offer?

Dani: There are a lot of designs that are wonderful on and off the mat. The designs and colours are complimentary – you can layer the pieces, turn them around, inside-out, and you’ve got a whole different look. The collections include athletic yoga layers that offer support; beautiful t-shirts, long-sleeved tops and pants; and lifestyle pieces that include skirts, dresses, and jackets. Movement has a woman’s collection at present, but a men’s collection is coming, which I’m also excited about.

Dylan: What has been the reaction of your customers so far in Japan?

Dani: The reaction has been fantastic, which doesn’t surprise me because she’s an amazing designer. The layering of the designs suits the style in Japan, and is extraordinarily flattering to all figures with sizes ranging from extra small to extra large (great for those in the foreign community who find sleeves and pant legs too short!). All my customers are repeat customers. They love the way it washes – it is low care , doesn’t require any special treatment and the colors don’t fade. It’s durable, doesn’t stretch out, and it feels amazing. Once you wear it your synthetic clothes will feel pretty weird – plasticy!

Dylan: How can people in Tokyo purchase bamboo yoga wear by Movement?

Dani: People in Tokyo are welcome to come to my home where I have a showroom set up with samples and I have stock there for them to purchase directly. People that are outside of Tokyo can always review the designs on my website and check with me for availability. And there’s a small collection of the yoga wear at Yoga Tree in Hiroo.

Dani: What are your plans for the future with Movement?

Dylan: I’m very passionate about educating people around sustainable options and thinking of the whole life-cycle of a product. We have an obsession with cheap things that are very disposable and leave a large environmental footprint. In Japan, a lot of clothing is thrown away. I believe that when you invest in quality, ethically made products you actually save money because they last and your conscience feels better. Movement is designed and made in Canada – it’s not made in a sweatshop and gives back via the Pamoja Foundation. It’s something that you can feel good about. I never sell with pressure – the product really speaks for itself.

For more information on Dani, her yoga classes and the Movement range of eco – friendly bamboo fabric yoga wear, visit www.ThatGirlDani.com.

If you’re not already a member, please join! It’s 100% free and you can share information about yoga taught in English in Tokyo including classes, workshops, events, retreats and teacher training courses.

I was very happy to see the following message from a lady in Hong Kong:

I am so happy I found this group. I am coming to Tokyo next month, I go to Pure Yoga here in Hong Kong, was searching for some yoga classes in English. Looking forward to attend some of these classes.

Everybody is welcome to post in this group. Why not try a yoga class and then share your thoughts and feelings about it with us? Tell us your recommendations and suggestions for the studios and teachers you like.

Yoga instructors and studios offering yoga in English in Tokyo are welcome to promote their classes and events. It’s 100% free and you don’t need to ask permission – go ahead and post notices, links and photos! It’s a great way to reach Tokyo’s English speaking yoga community.

HOW TO POST INFORMATION

There are two ways to post as follows.

1. Posting on the “Wall”

Wall posts are great for giving brief details of your classes/events or posting reports or recommendations on other yoga teachers’ classes/events. These are text-only posts of up to 1,000 characters in length. If you try to post any more than 1,000 characters, the system will automatically cut the extra characters out, so be careful – you might lose part of your message!

Since these posts are text-only, it’s good to start with a title in all capital letters so that people can easily find it. Try to give the date, event type and place within the title so people can easily understand if it is relevant to them.

Within the body of the post, you’ll want to briefly give people all the information they need to know. If you can’t fit everything in, you may provide a link to a page with more details or your email address so people can contact you for more information.

2. Posting Links

Scroll further down the Hello Yoga! Facebook Group, and you’ll see a place where you can post links. This is very handy if you already have a blog post or website page with all the information you want to share. Before you post, be sure to check the preview of how the link will show up to other members. Sometimes, it’s not clear what the link is about, so you’ll need to add a description.

The growth is in part because top yoga studios including Jivamukti Yoga, Lotus 8, Prana Power, Yoga Jaya and Yoga Shakti have been posting details on their exciting upcoming yoga workshops and teacher training courses that are offered in English in Tokyo.

What is Mixi?

Mixi is the most popular SNS (social networking service website) in Japan. Mixi can be accessed via pc or Japanese mobile phones.

Why Make a Mixi Community?

Currently, with the exception of the Japanese translation of our About page, all content on HelloYoga.com (the site you are currently looking at) is in English. To cater to Japanese people who prefer to read information in their native language and who prefer to access the Internet via a Japanese mobile phone (keitai), we also offer the Hello Yoga! Mixi Community to allow everybody to share information about yoga taught in English in Tokyo including classes, workshops, events, retreats and teacher training courses.

How Do I Post Information?

All yoga teachers and yoga studios offering yoga taught in English in Tokyo are welcome to freely post in the Hello Yoga! Mixi Community. This site is all in Japanese language.

1. You will first need to get a Mixi account. You must be invited by an existing member of Mixi. If you don’t have an account, please contact us and we will invite you.
2. Please post your profile in the Self-introduction Topic. First, please read the other self-introductions for ideas on writing style and format. Also, photos of yourself and your classes will help attract more interest.
3. Please post notices about your classes/events in the Announcements Topic. Please first check how the other past notices are written. Notices with photos stand out more.
4. Please post reports about your classes/events in the Reports Topic. Posting reports of your classes provides credibility and gives people an idea of what to expect. Photos will help a lot in this regard, too.

But, I Can’t Read Japanese!

Although Mixi is all in Japanese, I have friends who don’t read Japanese and yet still use it. I can show you how they do it. Two useful items are:

• Rikkaichan plugin for Firefox web browser
• OCN Translation (generally better than Google Translate for Japanese)

Your yoga instructor training course likely cost you the equivalent of at least a couple of thousand (US) dollars. And, then there’s all the money you’ve spent learning yoga before and since your formal teacher training.

In addition to the money you’ve spent, your yoga education has taken many hundreds of hours training, studying and practicing. So, when you choose to be a yoga instructor, it’s natural for you to think about what you should charge that is fair to the student and to you.

In this post, I’ll try to explain some basics about the yoga industry in Tokyo from the instructors’ point of view.

Standard Fees for Students

To get a perspective, it’s useful to know the cost of a standard 60-minute drop-in yoga class in central Tokyo.

People attending classes at a municipal community hall are generally prepared to pay 1,000~2,000 yen per class. In comparison, the same class held at a yoga studio or a fitness club would cost 2,500~3,500 yen.

Classes at yoga studios or a fitness clubs are more expensive because they often offer yoga mats and other accessories for practice such as blocks, straps, bolsters and blankets. They also tend to have a much trendier image and offer a nicer practice environment in general. Some may have nicely fitted-out change rooms equipped with showers – a rare luxury in crowded central Tokyo where real estate costs are high and landlords are inflexible about installing showers in case of legal liability cases arising from water leakage causing damage to the next tenant underneath.

It is appropriate to add a word here about payment via donation here. In the US and some other countries, it is popular and fashionable to offer classes on a donation basis whereby people are told a suggested amount and they pay what they can. I tried this here in Tokyo and it just didn’t work. I had people with high paying jobs who would just walk out without paying. Confused, I asked several Japanese friends and instructors, they told me that Japanese people are just not used to the system. They are used to being given a set price up-front and expect to pay it.

Working at a Yoga Studio or Fitness Club

If somebody else provides a venue, does all the organizing and marketing, then all you have to do is show up and teach. If you’re invited for a yoga workshop or given a regular teaching job at a studio, you’ll be paid in either of these two ways:

1. A Set Fee

The standard going rate in Tokyo for a qualified yoga instructor is around 5,000 yen per 60-minute class. This may or may not include the cost of commuting to and from the instructor’s home. This suits a lot of yoga instructors because they know what they’ll get, regardless of how many students actually show up. The disadvantage is that if your class is a wild success, your earnings will still be limited to the agreed amount. Your employer may be open to re-negotiation, however, running a yoga studio in Tokyo is generally a very low profit margin business with high cost overheads, so don’t expect too much.

2. Percentage of Takings

Splitting the earnings of your class or workshop gives you an incentive to play a part in marketing your classes or workshops too. Generally, the market standard is the yoga instructor gets 40% of the takings. Senior instructors may get 50% or more, depending on how well-known they are. It all depends on the power balance, that is, which is bringing more value. For a small or newly-opened studio, a big name instructor may be good PR for them. If you’re a newbie instructor, then the studio may be doing you a favor by offering you a teaching spot at all, and so you can’t ask for as much.

3. Additional Benefits

Depending on the studio, they might offer you additional benefits such as being able to attend classes of other instructors for a discount, or even for free. This is definitely attractive if the studio is in a location that is convenient for you to visit several times per week. They may also offer discounts on workshops, events and courses.

Teaching Yoga at a Municipal Community Hall

Until you gain experience and build an impressive track record as a yoga instructor, it may be difficult to land a contract with a yoga studio. You can work around this by renting space for your classes.

You could choose from a wide range of spaces available throughout Tokyo for hourly rent, but most of the commercial ones are quite expensive. Many independent instructors use local community halls which are owned and run by the local municipal government. The cost of room hire here tends to be less than half that of a commercial space.

As a benchmark, the cost of a room that will fit 10 students in Ebisu Community Hall, where I used to teach, cost 2,800 yen to use between 17:30 and 21:45 in the evening. That’s only 700 yen per hour. In my case, I just use that time for 2 hours and leave it. But you could team up with another instructor and use that time to hold 2 or 3 classes.

Technically, the rate is supposed to double if you are using the room for commercial purposes. However, the staff usually turns a blind eye to this and regards the fee you collect as contributions from the students to cover your costs. Since the payments are in cash, the tax authorities cannot track them. So, issuing receipts to the students and doing the appropriate paperwork to submit to the authorities at tax return time is up to you (but many instructors don’t do this).

The obvious advantage of organizing your own classes is the independence. You can teach whatever style you want and offer classes in any format you wish. You also get to sidestep administration procedures and various rules that might be present in a yoga studio or fitness club. The downside, of course, is that everything, from organizing to marketing your classes, is up to you. Also, these rooms are much in demand and you will need to book as far ahead as two months.

Many of the best yoga instructors are very “right-brained” and simply not capable of organizing these things all by themselves. For these people, just turning up on time to teach a class might be a major achievement. But, if they fiercely desire to operate independently rather than work for a yoga studio or fitness club, then they will need to partner with someone who can do all the organizing for them.

Community halls vary widely in appearance, newness, facilities offered, charges, and policies. You’ll need to go inspect the ones nearest to you (or in the area you wish to offer lessons) to decide if they are right for you.

In terms of payment, you can collect cash from the students when they come each time. However, some teachers prefer to offer a course whereby the students pay up-front for a specified number of lessons. Upfront payments could be collected in person, via PayPal, or via bank transfer. PayPal is unlikely to be popular with students here, many of whom don’t use PCs much and are still wary of using credit cards over the Internet.

Giving Private Yoga Lessons

Private lessons from a qualified English-speaking yoga instructor in Tokyo range from 5,000~15,000 yen per hour including transportation fee, depending on the instructor and whether the student comes to a venue designated by the instructor or the instructor travels to the student’s place.

The advantage of this is you can give higher quality instruction catering to the student’s specific needs. Many wealthy people, including celebrities, simply don’t have the time or inclination to go to a studio or fitness club and hence prefer private lessons.

If you are teaching at either your or the student’s home, you need to set clear rules. For example, one very attractive young female instructor, who teaches private lessons in her home, avoids awkward situations by insisting that all male students be accompanied by a female.

Please Share Your Perspective

I’d be interested to hear from other instructors who have taught in Tokyo about their experiences. Also, if any yoga studio managers would like to comment and give their perspective, that would be great too.

Dylan: Where are you from?

Dani: I’m from New Zealand, but I have lived half of my life in Canada, so I consider myself New Zealand-Canadian.

Dylan: How long have you been in Japan?

Dani: Almost two years.

Dylan: What brought you here?

Dani: There was an job opportunity in Japan for my husband and seeking adventure – we came!

Dylan: Where did you do your yoga teacher training?

Dani: I did my training in Tamil Nadu (Southern India), as well as in Canada.

Dylan: What was it like in India?

Dani: I love India and studying yoga there was wonderful. I studied classical Indian Hatha yoga, Sivananda. It was one of the most rewarding and challenging things I have ever done.

Dylan: Tell us a little more about your training in Canada.

Dani: I studied Yin Yoga in Whistler, Canada with Bernie Clark. I was introduced to Yin by Bernie when I lived in Vancouver and I was drawn to his meditative Zen approach to the practice.

Dylan: Tell us about the types of yoga you teach.

Dani: Classical Indian Hatha (Sivanada), Yin Yoga and a combined class of yin & yang (hatha). The hatha I practice and teach aims to bring health to the body by strengthening and improving flexibility of the spine and peace to the mind using 12 core yoga asanas (yoga poses), meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises).

Dylan: Tell us about the other style of yoga you teach, Yin Yoga.

Dani: While people are drawn to various forms of active (yang) yoga practices for different reasons, I teach a lot of Yin Yoga in Tokyo and without a doubt I believe that everybody benefits from this practice. It is the complement to our active lives and active practices. Yin is a very powerful practice because it targets the most inflexible, deep, cool layers of our body (particularly the hips and spine) where we are able to stimulate an energetic flow of stagnant and deficient prana (vital energy).

Dylan: How are your Hatha and Yin classes different?

Dani: Together the styles I teach offer the perfect compliment of yin and yang (hatha) where students respectively bring emotional, mental and energetic flow and strength to their body. In all Yoga, we move our prana (chi), but the stretching, twisting and compressing of the yin layers of our body allows us to open up these channels and let the energy flow. These challenging postures teach us to sit with discomfort rather than deny or turn away from them, as well as bring nourishment to our vital organs and a calmness to our mind.

Dylan: How would Yin Yoga make you more flexible compared to an athletic style of yoga such as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga?

Dani: In Ashtanga and other active yoga practices we build strength and tone to muscles. We hold a lot of tension in our muscles and it is important to work them, however most of our inflexibility is in the Yin layers of our body. Because we don’t actively “exercise” these layers, we must approach them differently. While subtle in approach, this practice offers Yin practitioners a sense of lightness and opening by increasing lubrication to the joints and releasing contracture around our joints (among other effects) that create a lot of stiffness in our body.

Dylan: Tell us about where you teach yoga in Tokyo.

Dani: I teach regularly at three places currently:

Yoga Tree – a lovely bright and airy space in Hiroo where students can enjoy eco-yoga mats free to use and an eco-yoga boutique;
Pema – an intimate studio space in Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku. My evening candle-lit Yin class enjoys the beautiful backdrop of a zen moss garden, Tibetan Thangkas and tranquil illumination;
The Canadian Embassy – where I teach privately.

I also teach corporate classes and private one-on-one classes.

Dylan: What sort of people come to your classes?

Dani: I get a mixture of students from the foreign community and Japanese and beginners to advanced students.

Dylan: Have you taught yoga outside of Japan?

Dani: Yes, a little in Canada and India, but yoga has become my primary work here in Japan.

Dylan: What is it like teaching yoga in Japan?

Dani: I enjoy it and people are excited about the potential of yoga in their lives. I don’t speak Japanese so there are some limitations. I’m also used to people being very regular and committed to their practice; however the work hours in Tokyo make this a challenge for many.

Dylan: Do you have any advice for other foreigners considering teaching yoga here in Tokyo?

Dani: Being able to teach in Japanese is an asset. Otherwise, just do it! We need a lot of yoga teachers and there is plenty of room for everyone!

Dylan: What is your favorite thing about Tokyo?

Dani: Tokyo is a very accessible city and I love that I can bicycle everywhere here. And,  of course, the culture of Japan.

For more information on Dani, her yoga classes and the Movement range of eco-friendly bamboo fabric yoga wear that she distributes in Tokyo, visit www.ThatGirlDani.com.