From Saipan to India in search of yoga knowledge

Formerly an accomplished amateur bodybuilder, and now a highly devoted yoga student and teacher, Josephine Ichihara is sharing her newest knowledge of yoga with her students at the Rising Sun Yoga Studio on Saipan.

In the 1990s, Ichihara moved to the United States in search of knowledge in fitness and health. While living there she trained intensely in bodybuilding and stumbled upon yoga.

Initially, Ichihara enjoyed the physical practice of yoga but was soon drawn to the mental and emotional guidance unique to yoga practice. From this, she began her pursuit of learning various types of Hatha Yoga, traveling to Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, California, London, England, Kailua-Kona, and Oahu, Hawaii.

Ichihara has found that many people are not aware that there are a variety of yoga styles practiced worldwide. Most think of yoga as a gently stretching exercise, which is true for some forms of yoga. However, the style Ichihara teaches—Astanga Vinyasa—is much more than gentle movements; it is one of the most physically challenging forms of yoga practice. She also emphasizes that yoga uses postures, also known as asana, which help increase flexibility, balance, strength, and the attainment of a healthy body, which then leads to more advance practice aimed at achieving a healthy mind.

After opening her business a year an half ago, Ichihara decided to travel to India in pursuit of more knowledge to assist her practice and students. She applied to study at a teacher training center in India, which only had space for eight students out of 100 applicants. When she received notice of her acceptance, she was surprised and happy to be selected to attend this intensive training.

Ichihara described the training as very intense. During the nine weeks, there was only one day off. The training consisted of two hours of physical practice in the morning and two hours of pranayama breathing and meditation in the evenings. Students had to observe other classes, learn the fine points of properly adjusting students in yoga postures, and at times, also assist in teaching classes, as well as study yoga philosophy, anatomy, meditation, and advanced pranayama breathing exercises.

The typical day would start at 6:30am and end at 9:30pm. One of the instructors is credited with being one of the first yoga practitioners to introduce Astanga Vinyasa Yoga to the Western world from India some 30 years ago.

Ichihara returned to Saipan about three years ago to be close to her parents, Rosa and Jose Ichihara. She opened the Rising Sun Yoga School on Saipan a little over one year ago. She offers Vinyasa Basics (Level 1), which is usually full and has a waiting list for propective students. She also teaches Intermediate Vinyasa Yoga (Level 2).

When asked about her long term goals in yoga, Ichihara replied “I want to keep improving so I can keep giving more to my students. Yoga is a lifetime practice. Although even with a lifetime of practice, there is always more to learn from yoga.” (PR)