Testimonial
Chihiro is a a very compassionate
and motivated Yoga instructor! I was lucky enough to have Chihiro's Private Therapeutic
Yoga class for me and my friends at my house as I wanted to throw a special birthday
party for myself to celebrate half a century of my life. The class she gave us was
exactly what we needed (we are powerful middle-aged women!). She thoughtfully adapted
the practices to suit our very unique needs. Her teaching approach was in a perfect
balance of physical and meditative learning that increased our mental clarity and
emotional stability. We all sighed with a great joy and happiness at every pose
that she was leading us with her deep soothing voice. Later I took her 8 week Personalized
Therapeutic Yoga Program and I have been more convinced that Chihiro is an attentive
instructor with an innate ability to read her students' minds. I came out of her
8 week program with a deep understanding of what the practice does for me - how
I apply it to my daily life - and how much it does for me personally. Yoga has definitely
become an integral part of my life...something that I can always turn to and something
that I will always have. Thank you so much for your great guide and Namaste.......
I have taken yoga classes with Chihiro for about 2 years now. I never really thought
I would be doing something like this. I thought it might be a “passing phase’ for
me… just something new and an opportunity to be with friends. However, I found that
not only did I really LIKE IT, but my body liked it. If fact, if I have to miss
a class, I really notice a difference in every day mobility. I have suffered from
varicose veins since I was a young nurse and have worn support hose for over 40
years, rarely going without stockings, even on a hot day. Since doing yoga and resting
with my legs up the wall during our restorative rest period, I have noticed a dramatic
effect in my legs. For years, I suffered from painful sensations, especially during
the night. Do you remember the “Indian rub ( burn) ” we did on our lower arms as
children? That’s one aspect of how my legs felt. That and stabbing, burning pain.
As a professor of nursing teaching pathophysiology, I honestly envisioned a below
the knee amputation in my right leg at some point in the future. I can honestly
say that since doing yoga, I have felt a 95% + improvement in my legs. I now even
go without stockings on sunny days. It is amazing to me that I have had these results.
I thank Chihiro for her gentle and personalized approach to teaching yoga. She has
certainly made a difference in my life.
I started Yoga classes in
September of 2007. I’d always heard Yoga was good for the body and soul and I observed
that people who practiced Yoga were passionate in their commitment. Having recently
retired I finally had time to bring some new activities into my life. I was so fortunate
to begin my Yoga experience with Chihiro as my first teacher. In her gentle and
nurturing way she has introduced me to the art and pleasure of Yoga practice. While
teaching Yoga postures and stretches, Chihiro imparts her knowledge of the physical
and spiritual benefits of each pose. During class she provides instruction specific
to each person, although the group is of varying ages, backgrounds, and levels of
physical ability. She pays attention to how each student is working by making sure
the pose is done correctly and safely. Chihiro advises us to participate at a 70%
effort to insure the full benefit of the pose, and importantly to avoid injury as
we learn. We end our Yoga sessions with guided relaxation and a period of deep restorative
rest, called Shavasana. Before leaving class Chihiro generally reads a phrase or
paragraph of “pearls of wisdom” to carry with us through the week. I have now become
one of those passionate committed students. I have learned to breathe deeply, and
to listen to my body while it’s working. I am stronger, more flexible and my balance
has improved. For me, Yoga is the path to a richer, healthier retirement. I am glad
I discovered its value while I still have years ahead to learn and benefit.
I have been taking Restorative Yoga twice a week with Chihiro for the past year
and a half. It's one of the best things that I've done for myself. With Chihiros'
gentle guidance I've learned to feel more connected with my body; it's amazing how
relaxed I feel after a yoga session with her. I have become more flexible and I'm
learning to let go of the day's stresses through the various poses that Chihiro
teaches. I appreciate her calm, supportive and nurturing manner. I look forward
to the yoga classes and enjoy spending time with Chihiro and my yoga friends.
I have been taking Yoga with Chihiro for a year and 8 months. I love her classes
- she is a great teacher. She is focused on our alignment and is very nuturing.
For the last 13 months I have taken 2 classes per week. My body is more limber and
I am able to go deeper into the poses. In addition, I have found myself getting
rid of things and people in my life who don’t work. With the restorative poses I
am able to handle my stress better. I find myself in a much calmer space. I always
look forward to my yoga classes. 2/17/09
I have taken many different kinds of yoga classes throughout the years, but I had
never heard of restorative yoga before Chihiro talked to me about it. As she described
it, I didn’t expect it would be such an intense experience. But the second I started
the first pose, I felt extremely relaxed. Today, I go directly into a deep meditation
or deep relaxation mode. Also, when we do Hatha yoga, I feel my energy literally
flowing, which I had never experienced before I practiced yoga with Chihiro. I come
to class tired and tense and always feel the benefits of the class by the time I
leave. It is as addicting to me as the spa…
I have never practiced any sport activitely. I used to practice kick boxing and
loved it. My perception used to be that yoga would really not fit my expectations,
that I needed something more active and that, on top of this, I know that I am not
very flexible so this is not for me. When Chihiro talked to me about her classes,
her studio being a block away from me and the schedule really fitting my busy working
mother schedule, I thought I would try. I really liked it from the first class on.
Chihiro takes away the mysterious part out of yoga. Even as a complete beginner,
I did not feel like I was out of place. The schedule (Saturday mornings) really
works for me as it is a set stone in our family calendar. I can be a wreck on Friday
evening, I will be may not be completely rested but at least calmer on Saturday
at noon. The practices have increased my flexibility, probably my stability (I used
to sprain my ankle once a year at least, I have not since I started yoga).
When I first met Chihiro,
I was on the verge of starting my second round of IVF. I took a couple of classes
with Chihiro at a studio and was very impressed with the idea that certain poses
and relaxation could help with my hormones, which I knew would be chaotic during
the IVF cycle. So, I jumped at the chance to work with her one on one to specifically
target what I was going through. I can’t say that there was a noticeable change
to me early on, but in looking back, I was definitely less worried about this IVF
cycle working. I was much more calm than I thought I would be. I slept better and
didn’t obsess about every little thing the way I had the first time around. And
once I found out that I was pregnant, while I was concerned about the pregnancy
lasting, I really did not feel the out of control worry that I would have expected.
Even my husband noticed a difference in my behavior at this time. I’m not sure if
now that my weekly classes with Chihiro are done, I will be disciplined enough to
practice daily, but I will definitely practice several times a week even if it is
to only do one pose to relax before bed or to unwind after a stressful day at work.
Especially, as my pregnancy progresses and I can modify the poses as Chihiro showed
me, I think it will be a great way to have a healthy more relaxed pregnancy.
I started taking yoga classes
with Chihiro once a week about 4 months ago, hoping to improve my flexibility and
looking forward to the mental and spiritual effects of the practice as well. After
only two classes I was able to notice a change. It's strange to say, but only a
few days after the second session I could feel my body "craving" yoga! I could not
wait until class the following week. I also started to notice that it was more difficult
to balance and support myself in the different poses when I was exhausted or lacking
sleep. I was becoming more and more aware of the state of my body. I still look
forward to yoga class every week and Chihiro arranges her classes to fit the physical
and mental state of her students every time. Chihiro is a wonderful teacher and
yoga is addictive!
I'm as stiff as a board.
Yoga doesn't come easy. But my sessions with Chihiro have been wonderful. She's
very protective of my health, and her first concern is to avoid injury. She also
protects my pride by being non-judgmental about my limited flexibility. Chihiro
is so calm and patient she creates a supportive atmosphere in which to practice
yoga. She's not dogmatic about yoga traditions, and adapts it to my needs. What
a great teacher and I feel quite lucky to have found her.
I have enjoyed Chihiro's
yoga classes immensely. Chirihiro is very patient teacher who is willing to demonstrate
and explain the various yoga poses in a very calm and soothing manner. She also
suggests alternative poses. This is especially important for a beginner like myself.
My flexibility has improved since taking the classes and I have learned some relaxation
techniques that I can do outside of classes. I strongly recommend these classes.
Chihiro is an excellent yoga
instructor. She has been very patient with me as she has introduced me to yoga.
I felt the difference in my body after just a few sessions. I was amazed at how
yoga can really tone my body and help you truly relax and relieve daily stress.
Chihiro provides a calm, focused atmosphere and leads you experly through the different
levels of yoga. I highly recommend Chihiro to anyone, even beginners like me.
Artiste en mosaiques, j'etais contente d'avoir trouve Chihiro, car ses lecons de
yoga m'aident a relacher mes tensions physiques et nerveuses accumulees pendant
des heures de concentration.
Elle m'aide a prendre conscience de mon corps qui s'est peu a peu assoupli et tonifie.
Certaines poses m'aident a surmonter mon anxiete. Mon corps s'est peu a peu assoupli
et tonifie. Chihiro adapte les lecons selon l'etat mental et physique dans lesquels
je me sens.
Tres attentive et patiente, parlant francais, (tres gros avantage pour moi), je
suis tres satisfaite de l'enseignement du yoga donne par Chihiro et je la recommande
chaleureusement.
