Testimonials

After losing my mother in 2014, I returned to work, but needed something different in my life. Yoga was something that I’d always wanted to do. I started taking classes at my local YMCA at age 59. I quickly knew I wanted a deeper practice. I found a studio , and went to classes 4 days a week. That is where I met Masako. She was one of the instructors there. Wanting to completely immerse myself in something, I took the teacher training course. After completing that, I went on to other studios, but always kept in contact with Masako. When COVID came along, and studios closed, I took zoom classes from her. I am back in class now, but still do my weekly zoom class with her. I look forward to my classes from home, it has now become a pleasurable time for me.. very peaceful. Starting with her soothing voice and calming breathing techniques, to her knowledgeable asana techniques, Masako leads me through a perfect class and beautiful start to my day. My yoga journey is coming up on 10 years. It has changed the way I approach aging. Really yoga will change your life at any stage, it will shift your approach to one that is focused on gratitude and mindfulness. The mind- body connection keeps your mind sharp and your body strong and flexible. I am so thankful I found yoga, and thankful Masako is still a part of my life long yoga journey❤️

Since becoming pregnant, I hadn’t done any particular exercise, and before starting yoga, I could feel my body becoming stiff. After some time postpartum, I began practicing yoga and noticed that it left both my body and mind feeling refreshed. I used to feel inexplicably tired every day, but after doing yoga, my mood improved, and I felt my body moved more easily. Now, I feel like something is missing if I don’t attend a yoga class. At first, I thought online lessons might be harder to follow compared to in-person classes , but that wasn’t the case at all. Masako’s lessons are always easy to understand and taught with kindness, so I look forward to every session. I’m so glad I discovered Masako’s yoga classes! （ The original written in Japanese)

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Masako for over 10 years, and her impact on my healing has been profound. When I first came to her, I struggled with back pain and limited flexibility, but her healing yoga approach has truly helped me in so many ways. Her deep understanding of the body and compassionate teaching style have not only eased my pain but also helped me reconnect with my body in a meaningful way. Each class is a blend of stretching and gentle care, allowing me to progress at my own pace while feeling supported. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking not just physical relief, but a holistic approach to well-being. Her dedication and expertise are truly amazing, and I am so grateful for the positive changes she has brought to me in my healing journey.

I have been doing yoga for 20 years. I started with a teacher classically trained in Iyengar yoga. She believed in using props to compensate for injuries and misalignment of the body. I was in a bad carwreck long ago that left my body very misaligned. Using props helps your body understand how to become better aligned when you have injuries or inflexibilities in the body. With better alignment during yoga your body naturally adjusts to better alignment in everyday life. Regular practice of yoga keeps you flexible, more relaxed and less stressed about everyday life. You develop a mindfulness about how you move. Yoga also helps you maintain a balance between your mental and physical well-being. When my teacher retired about 9 years ago, I started taking classes from Masako who was trained by her. Masako uses the same techniques, but she also has taken classes from other teachers so she blends her style with multiple different teacher’s styles and techniques. She is very thoughtful in teaching poses to people who are recovering from injuries by suggesting modifications to poses and/or use of props. She always asks if you have any injuries or discomforts with your body for that class. Masako is an excellent teacher who I rely on to help me continue on my yoga journey of mind, body and spirit.

My yoga lesson time is a reward for myself after a week of hard work. As someone in my 40s juggling parenting, work, and household chores, I often put myself last. However, yoga is the one time I can focus on myself and take care of my mind and body. Shortly after starting yoga, I realized how little care I had given to my body until then. I was amazed at how much yoga could relax both my mind and body. One of the reasons for this is the encouraging words I always receive from Masako-sensei during her classes. Often, her words resonate with exactly what my heart needs at that moment. For instance, when I’m not feeling well, she says things like, “Let’s go at 60% today,” or “Let’s praise yourself for where you are right now.” Her lessons are not just about practicing yoga but also about restoring the balance between my body and mind through the practice. After six months of regular practice, I’ve noticed changes in my body. For example, I now wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. I used to wake up with back pain, but I’ve noticed that the pain has significantly lessened. When I’m stressed, I use the breathing techniques Masako-sensei taught me to calm my mind and incorporate yoga poses from the lessons to help my body relax. Doing this helps me let go of unnecessary thoughts and reset both my mind and body. I’m truly grateful to have discovered Masako-sensei’s yoga. I deeply appreciate how her lessons guide me to a place where my body and mind feel at ease, allowing me to treat myself with kindness and care. （The original written in Japanese)