はじめに
Today, I’d like to introduce my regularly held Yoga Group Class (4–6 participants per session).
This class is not merely about stretching or light exercise to make up for physical inactivity. It is a practical space where insights gained through Rolfing® and Rolf Movement can be embodied and integrated into daily life. The goal is to deepen the connection between body and mind, and to restore a harmonious sense of physical presence through mindful movement.
Yoga Rewrites the Body’s Inner Map: Body Schema and Body Image
As many of you who have experienced Rolfing or Rolf Movement may know, our bodies are guided by an unconscious “internal map” that allows us to move without thinking. This is called the body schema—a system through which the brain constantly tracks muscles, joints, and our center of gravity to organize movement automatically.
In contrast, the body image refers to how we consciously perceive and feel about our body. It is shaped by what we see in the mirror, comparisons with others, and past physical experiences.
The relationship between body schema and body image can be compared to a map and a landscape. For example, a road may appear straight on a map, but when walking it in real life, you may find unexpected slopes or obstacles. Similarly, we might feel like we’re standing straight, yet due to a skewed schema, we’re actually leaning or carrying excess tension in specific areas.
Yoga helps to gently reshape the body schema through refined movements and breath. It loosens long-held patterns and tension, allowing a new, more precise map of the body to emerge.
As this internal map is updated, our body image—how we feel and relate to our body—also begins to shift.
Yoga is a practice that reconfigures body schema and rebuilds body image.
It offers a natural way to deepen the structural changes achieved through Rolfing and integrate them into stable, embodied presence.
The Essence of Yoga: Words from Akira Watamoto
One of the yoga teachers I resonate with deeply, Akira Watamoto, describes the essence of yoga this way:
“We correct our posture, regulate the breath, and deepen concentration (i.e., meditation) to its fullest.
In that state, the fluctuations of the mind come to a complete stop, and we experience our true self within that stillness.
This experience is meditation, and it is the true essence of yoga.”
This quote expresses that yoga is not just about physical exercise—it is a practice for deep self-connection.
After Rolfing has helped free the structure of the body, yoga becomes a natural next step—a way to deepen the breath, refine awareness, and access the deeper layers of the body–mind system.
In this class, we gently release tension and imbalance while cultivating breath and focused presence, creating time and space to meet “yourself in this very moment.”
The History of Modern Yoga & the Need for Tailored made class
Modern yoga, as we know it today, is largely based on traditions systematized in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (notably through Krishnamacharya, Pattabhi Jois, and B.K.S. Iyengar).
This lineage of modern yoga has diversified into many schools and approaches, often serving roles in wellness, rehabilitation, and spiritual practice.
T. Krishnamacharya, often referred to as the father of modern yoga, emphasized that “yoga should be taught according to each individual’s condition—it should not be taught in a standardized way.”
This remains a crucial principle: yoga must respond to each person’s unique physical structure and inner state.
As a Rolfer, I’ve come to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to movement or posture. Everyone’s body tells a different story.
That’s why this class emphasizes individualized guidance based on age, flexibility, posture, and experience.
With a small group setting (4–6 people), we can cultivate attentive, personalized dialogue with the body—extending the awareness you may have discovered through Rolfing into your daily movement.
Time to Realign Body and Mind—Just for You
This yoga group class is ideal for those who:
- Wish to maintain or enhance healthy aging
- Want to deepen their breath
- Hope to improve posture and body mechanics
- Seek integration of body and mind
Held weekly (4 sessions per month), this class aims to support the development of sustainable self-care habits.
It also provides a practical environment where the changes sparked by Rolfing sessions can be grounded in everyday life.
Ultimately, the goal is to equip you with the awareness and tools to support yourself—on and off the mat.
Yoga Group Class
Recommended for: Those who are focused on healthy aging, those who want to deepen their breathing, and those who wish to improve posture through regular movement
Purpose: To increase joint mobility and open the hips in order to improve posture in everyday movements such as standing, walking, and sitting
Expected Benefits: Improved flexibility and core strength, enhanced internal organ activity and blood circulation, stress relief, and relaxation
Fee: ¥13,000/month (tax included)
Conclusion
When your sense of your body awakens, your entire life begins to change—quietly but profoundly.
If you wish to carry the benefits of Rolfing or Rolf Movement into daily embodiment and deeper self-regulation, I warmly invite you to join this class.