Akiko Tsugawa

Aki started practising yoga regulary in 2005 to help her deal with a herniated disc. Two years later she discovered Ashtanga Yoga and was instantly fascinated by this practice. In 2009, She finally travelled to Mysore, India to practice with R. Sharath Jois (the grandson of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) at the K. Patthabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. In the same year after returning to Tokyo from India she started to practice with Tarik Thami at Mysore Tokyo and was subsequnetly invited by Tarik to assist him.

She continued to visit India annually to study at the the K. Patthabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute with Sharathji and had the great opportunity to assist him at the shala in Mysore for one month at a time, for several years. Those were all very special experiences. And in 2011, she was granted Authorisation by Sharathji.

Also in 2011, Aki traveled to London to learn English and to assist Hamish Hendry at Ashtanga Yoga London which was a profound learning experience.

She continued to practice in Mysore every year and in 2016, she participated in a two month teacher course with Sharathji. This was a meaningful experience as she received direct guidance to deepen her understanding and knowledge of teaching Ashtanga Yoga.

In the past few years, she has been a long-term substitute for Tarik at Mysore Tokyo.

Through out all this time, Aki has remained dedicated to the tradition and parampara (lineage) of Ashtanga yoga. Her practice has lead to a balance between her mind and body. She enjoys sharing the practice and its therapeutic benefits with others.

As her journey goes onwards, her intention is to continue sharing her own experience and this practice that has been passed on to her by Sharathji and her teachers through parampara.

To her, yoga is life, an essential part of a harmony between the mind and body which makes every day more fulfilling and more simple. She hopes to convey the beauty of this practice to as many people as possible.