Yoga students in NMI attend HK confab

For Josephine Ichihara, owner and instructor of Saipan’s Rising Sun Yoga, and two of her advanced students, Lynn Corella and Adrian Breen, three days in Hong Kong meant a unique opportunity to learn from four of the most respected and influential yoga instructors in the world.

Hong Kong’s Landmark Oriental Hotel and Spa was host to several hundred yoga teachers and students from around Asia.

The spread of Yoga from India to the Western world has been strongly influenced through two lineages of teachers: Tirumalai Krisnamacharya was known for his primary styles of yoga, while Swami Kuvalayananda was known for pioneering scientific research of yoga. Both are considered legendary in the Western development of yoga.

First-hand teachings from masters who studied directly under these legendary yogis drew attendees from across the globe. The three intense and tiring long days were packed with classes, lectures, and seminars for dedicated yoga practitioners to better understand and explore the relevance and impact of correct yoga practice and teaching in the modern world.

The hosting of the conference by the Oriental Spa at the Mandarin Hotel in Hong Kong was no accident. Ingo Schweder, the director and creator of the Oriental Spa, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1994. Unwilling to accept his gloomy prognosis he began his own life-saving research.

He immediately immersed himself in a holistic lifestyle, encompassing the principals and practices of traditional yoga. More than 11 years later Schweder is trying to help others discover the incredible benefits of a healthy, holistic-based wellness lifestyle.

After extensive instruction in the mainland, Hawaii, London, and most recently India, Ichihara immediately made arrangements to attend the Hong Kong conference once she was contacted.

“One morning I opened my e-mail to find a correspondence from a friend I met in India, inviting me to attend the three-day yoga conference and a week of intensive yoga practice with Sharath Rangaswamy, regarded as the world’s most advanced Astanga vinyasa yoga practitioner, the grandson of yoga master Sri Pattabhi Jois, and Rajiv Chanchani, one of the senior teachers of Iyengar yoga,” she said.

Ichihara also said she was excited that two additional influential yoga teachers will be giving lectures.

O.P. Otwari is the head of the Kaivalyadham Yoga Institute in Lonavla, and is known for his work in bridging the gap between yoga science and its mystical state that is encountered in yogic practice. Also lecturing at the conference was A.G. Mohan a personal student of the legendary Sri T. Krishnamacharya and the author of Yoga for Body, Breath and Mind.

When asked about her adventure, Ichihara commented, “Although feeling some hesitation at being off-island and having to close my yoga studio for 10 days, I felt that the knowledge and insight I hope to gain from the conference could be passed on to my students. I was very fortunate to have two of my advanced students—Lynn Corella and Adrian Breen—accompany me to the conference.”

Breen said the conference was an unforgettable experience. “It was great being exposed to so many different styles and philosophies of yoga from so many exceptional teachers at one conference. The chance to participate in intensive practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises while also learning more about yoga philosophies was truly unique. It was also fascinating and motivating to be around so many advanced yoga practitioners, and to see some of the demonstrations.”

Corella added, “It was wonderful to meet the yoga masters and learn from them. Their enthusiasm for yoga was exhilarating. In preparation for the yoga conference I did some additional training with Josephine [Ichihara] and that, added to the progress from the conference, has resulted in a noticeable change in my practice,” she said. “I felt that my practice has been deepened by the experience.”

Ichihara plans to continue attending yoga training workshops and conferences around the world. When asked if she plans to invite her students to attend similar events, Ichihara replied, “Absolutely, yoga is a lifelong journey. It is also a personal journey of self-discovery, physically, mentally, and spiritually. If I can encourage my students to continue to progress in their own journey beyond what I can teach them, we all benefit.”

Ichihara is the daughter of Jose and Rosa Ichihara from San Antonio. (PR)