Being a yoga enthusiast, yogi, or someone who likes yoga stuck in the Japanese world can be tough. Especially when your Japanese vocabulary just ain’t there yet.
That’s why I thought you should have atleast a list of places where you can have a yoga session in the most pleasant way possible. A list of places you can speak to people in English and be able to understand as well as be understood. Yes, a list of a western yogi’s heaven in the Japanese speaking world.
Top Yoga English-speaking Studios in Tokyo
Are you excited to meet new yogis and to join yoga classes in Tokyo? Then here are the lists.
1) Akasaka: Nami Yoga Studio
If you’re somewhere near Akasaka-Mitsuke station, this bi-lingual yoga studio is the perfect place to go.
They accept everyone. They are open to both neophyte and adept yogis. It is currently being managed by Namita Kurokawa a japanese-indian instructor with licenses from both India and Oxford. So, you can rest-assured you have an authentic yoga experience.
The Studio only has female instructors whose area of expertise fall in maternity and postnatal yoga. So, if you’re pregnant who wants to prepare for the main event, or someone who just had a baby who wants to get back into shape. They also have yogic practises suitable for kids. If your company needs a company-wide yoga workshop, Nami Yoga Studio is one of the best choices for the job.
Address: 1-5-8-7F Motoakasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://www.namiyogastudio.com/en/events/
2) Gotanda: Sun and Moon Yoga
Owned by a certified yoga instructor and writer, with years of experience under her belt, Lesa Lowitz. She’s from the sweet sandy beaches of California. The whole place feels like a living room. And, that’s exactly what they want to make you feel – warmly welcomed and at home.
Sun and Moon Yoga provides the Tokyo Yoga Community with workshops, training retreats and one-off classes. So, they are pretty well-known in the community. Offers classes in English and/or Japanese, yes. They also offer a wide variety of different forms of yoga from basic yoga to vinyasa yoga. They also offer yin yoga, restorative yoga, acro yoga, partner yoga, charity yoga, and other forms that you won’t find elsewhere.
No need for reservations. They also offer online classes.
Address: Gotanda Yamakatsu Building 201, 3-16-44 Higashigotanda Shinagawa-ku
3) Ebisu: YogaJaya
The concept is to combine Union (yoga) with Conquest (jaya), you get YogaJaya.
It’s only one of the largest, most active bilingual studios in Tokyo. Founded in 2003, YogaJaya has been known to host various workshops and events since its founding. Their founder is Yoga Instructor Patrick Oancia who wanted to provide a place and the means for people to overcome their personal limitations through fitness and wellness – their mission statement. If you want to have a choice between foreign or Japanese instructor, this is the place to go.
Address: 1-25-11, Ebisu-nishi, Shibuya-ku
4) Yoyogi: Under the Light Yoga
Just a minute away from Yoyogi station. Almost like all you can get is yoga.
The school offers more classes – perhaps too many to count. And, they have a variety of instructors. To say that they have more instructors than a whole elementary school might not be an understatement. Classes offered include: Restorative Yoga, Meditation, Maternity, and Ashtanga Yoga, Taoist Yoga, and even Gyrokinesis. If you’re asking about Gyrokinesis? It’s a unique whole-body workout system that works with the natural elements of spinal, joint, and muscle movement. Classes are taught in English and Japanese. Your choice.
Address: Shogakukaikan-bekkan 4F, 1-53-4 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku
Conclusion
The longer you stay in Japan, the more you get immersed with both the culture and language. And while getting a job in Japan is good, especially for a foreigner, sometimes it can be overwhelming. Living in a place you are just getting to know and you are not used to can be quite challenging. And we Japanese understand that. That’s why having a relaxing practice such as yoga is beneficial to stay grounded and happy inside and outside. Try one of these classes and let us know how it changed your life.
References:
https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/living-in-tokyo/fitness-sports/yoga-studios/
https://www.iayt.org/page/yogajpn
https://www.apprentus.com/en/yoga-lessons/Japan
https://www.yogafinder.com/yoga.cfm?yogacountry=Japan&yogacity=tokyo