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“When the cherries begin to bloom, Let me know at once”: The mountain-man has not forgotten my word; I hear him come. “Saddle the horse, quick!” ~ Minamoto no Yorismasa What is it about cherry blossoms? Shortly after returning from Japan, our Minnesotan crab apple trees were starting to bloom in rich, textured hues of pinks and purples. The individual blossoms are surely as complex as those of the esteemed cherry tree, which begs the question, “Why do the cherries get all the

In the world of yoga teacher training, many aspiring instructors face a tough reality. Recent discussions, including insights from a New York Times article, point to concerns that programs, particularly those offered by CorePower Yoga, may operate more like multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes than genuine educational opportunities. If you are a student considering this path, it is essential to understand the potential pitfalls, especially regarding financial strain and undere

If you do studio or even gym yoga, you may already realize, Yin is in. Workshops and special candlelight practices—it's officially a thing in the popular yoga culture. As with anything, the “popular” preceding “culture” can blur the origins. Where did Yin Yoga come from? Instagram? The strip mall in your suburb? Swami Yin? Yoga’s popularity has soared thanks to a proliferation of small yoga studios aggressively marketing teacher trainings. There’s also an over-abundance of on

A vast majority of Americans are doing yoga at home online, but a vast majority of yoga is relational.

A Unique Perspective on Japan's Cultural Identity Whether you saw the original airings of the Brady Bunch, the reruns in syndication, or just some memes, you know that it was all about the conventionally beautiful older sister Marcia—often at the expense of the middle sister, Jan. I've always thought of Japan as the Jan Brady of Asia—so much going for it, but often eclipsed by neighboring China. As a Japan watcher since the 1980s, I believed Japan would finally overtake Chin

Are you one in 40 million? That is, one of the millions planning a trip to Japan in the next year? If so, there are a few things to know before you go. With the weakening US dollar and rising inflation in Japan’s tourist sector, travel costs are creeping up—so now’s the time to plan! Japan is having a moment. What was once hard to navigate without the language is now more accessible, thanks to tools like Google Maps and translation apps. Social media is full of tips, but stit

You don't need a special yoga class for men; you need a teacher who understands proportion and leverage--and body-types besides his/her own! Strength minus Flexibility = Injury. “Yeah, I know I should do yoga…”It’s what I hear from men all the time. They know they need it—tight hamstrings, tech neck, back pain—but most yoga classes feel like they’re not for them. Why? Yoga Wasn't Designed for Your Body Most yoga classes (yes, even those led by men) cater to smaller, hyper-fle

Note: For those of you who don’t come to class, Buddhist and Yogic principles overlap deeply. Before the Buddha was a Buddha, he was a Yogi. Both traditions value meditation, and Hatha Yoga uses physical poses—or asana—as tools for inner awareness. The Japanese term wabi-sabi is working its way into the pop-culture lexicon. You’ll find it in Architectural Digest and all over #Insta, where it’s touted as a trending design aesthetic. Let’s start there. Wabi-Sabi in Design On In