Dominica Serigano, Shizen Yoga Studio owner and director, has been studying yoga in Tokyo and abroad since 1996 with instructors from the Iyengar lineage: Joan Seow Harakuma, Ramanand Patel, Gabriela Giubilaro, Paul Cabanis and Marla Apt. Teaching since 1999, her classes reflect the concentration and depth of her studies with these great teachers and the integrity of the Iyengar tradition. Dominica opened Shizen Yoga Studio in 2003 to create a space dedicated to the complete and integral practice of yoga, to bring the fullness of yoga to the community, and to build community through the study and practice of yoga. In addition, she regularly teaches at Myogetsu-bo Studio in Nikko, and is an executive director of EcoNikko.
Her additional workshop schedule can be found on the instructors page.
Nao began studying yoga after realizing that years of back pain were largely due to mental factors, and through yoga, she developed an understanding of the mind's immense impact on the body. She was first certified with the Yoga Alliance in Chicago, and continued learning several styles of yoga. In 2004, she studied at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India. There, she was deeply impressed by the incredible power of breath combined with asanas to quiet the mind and bring peace to the heart. It was there too that she fell in love with chanting. She continues to study the yoga tradition as taught by Krishnamacharya under Kausthub Desikachar (grandson of Krishnamacharya). In class, she uses the breath as a guide to self-discovery, and strives to assist students to find their own sense of harmony between body and soul.
Junko Tanaka studied the Rudolph Steiner method of Eurythmy with Akira Kasai. She subsequently trained in Noguchi exercises, seitai chiropractic treatment, Duncan dance and Oki style yoga. She began her study of Ashtanga yoga at IYC in October 2001, and participated in Basia Lipska’s Ashtanga yoga teacher’s training at IYC in 2004. Junko began studying with Dominica at Shizen Yoga Studio in January 2005.
Sachiko started studying Iyengar-style yoga in 1997 when she was in the U.S. Since then, she has become more aware of her health and "inner mind" through her yoga study.
After coming back to Japan in 2000, she began studying yoga with Dominica at IYC Tokyo, and also tried different types of yoga styles as well. She hopes she can share with her students the fascinating and powerful asana that she has experienced through her study with Dominica. With this "yoga spice", your daily life could be more meaningful and fruitful.
Madoka began her yoga studies with Asthanga-based vinyasa style yoga in the United States, and upon return to Japan, she studied Hatha Yoga at Studio Zen. She completed a teachers' training course at Shizen Yoga, where she continues to develop her yoga practice under the instruction of Dominica Serigano. The aim of her yoga practice is to cultivate a personal foundation of compassion and peace. As a yoga instructor, her objective is to share her love for yoga with others who would like to learn yoga as a means to balance the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions to deal with the daily stresses of work and life.
She also teaches at SHIZEN's sister studio in Aoyama, FURLA yoga.
Mika discovered yoga during a time when she was feeling a need for physical and spiritual balance, difficult to find in her hectic life as an actress. She was drawn to yoga, because she felt that it helped her to examine the essence of her true nature and to connect with something larger than herself. Mika came to a turning point in her life when she began teaching yoga. She has studied various styles of yoga in studios and workshops in Japan and abroad, including Iyengar yoga and Kundalini yoga. In 2005, she first encountered Anusara yoga, and continued training to become, in 2006, the first person in Japan to receive certification as an Anusara-Inspired Yoga Teacher from John Friend. Mika is also a member of the Japan Maternity Yoga Association. True to her motto, "a tender heart always," her classes are gentle to body, heart and mind, and filled with energy and enthusiasm.
She also teaches at SHIZEN's sister studio in Aoyama, FURLA yoga.
Born and raised in Sapporo. Licensed ski instructor and experienced in classical ballet and kendo. The stress of moving to Tokyo in 2000, as well as sports injuries, led Chica to begin yoga to restore both her mental and physical health. In 2001, she studied maternity yoga at IYC under Dominica's instruction. She also studied Oki yoga, Iyengar yoga and Ashtanga yoga, completing a yoga teachers training course with Mayumi Fukushima, an East Indian dance teacher. In 2002, after giving birth, she organized baby massage classes and practiced various other physical therapy methods at home, such as Noguchi Seitai. She also used yoga to recover from an accident in 2005, and has thus experienced for herself how effective yoga can be for healing. In class, she strives to provide a space where women can shine as both mothers and as women, developing strength as well as relaxing both body and mind.
Makino Shugen began studying Zen meditation around the age of 15. He has been teaching various forms of meditation for the past 25 years, including Zen, Tao, and chakra meditation. Gifted in selecting forms of meditation beneficial for the student, students come away with a heightened awareness of Self.
Hiromi began both yoga and aerobics to restore her health in 2001. In 2003, she began teaching aerobics at fitness clubs. The following year, she began teaching power yoga and studying Ashtanga Yoga at the International Yoga Center. In 2005, Hiromi completed her teachers training at IYC. At present, Hiromi is attending teacher training classes at SHIZEN and studying Hatha Yoga under Dominica's instruction. While studying asanas with emphasis on alignment and energy, in addition to more spiritual aspects (yoga philosophy), Hiromi works on freeing both body and soul. She wants to share her love for yoga to bring balance to body and mind.
Reiko studied art in college and began work as a designer for a television station. While working a busy job, she fell in love with diving and underwater photography and began traveling both in Japan and abroad to pursue her interest in photography. While doing so, she learned about yoga and eventually decided to quit her job, feeling she did not have enough time for herself. After leaving her job, she continued to work as a freelance designer while attending various yoga workshops and training courses. In 2005, Reiko took her first class with Dominica, and has been studying at SHIZEN since. When she first started yoga, Reiko’s instinct told her she had found something good. Now, she finds comfort in her practice and while continuing to feel the benefits, she is grateful that she began studying yoga. Reiko wishes to share her love for yoga, and she continues to study various ways to better convey the teachings of yoga to a wide range of people.
She also teaches at SHIZEN's sister studio in Aoyama, FURLA yoga.
Originally from Fukuoka. Hideko began Yoga in 1992 as a way to find relief and peace of mind while working in a stressful environment in advertising. She first studied Sivananda Yoga, and went to India twice. A year later, she became a yoga instructor, teaching at sports clubs in Fukuoka and maternity clinics. In 1999, she came to Tokyo after getting married, and gave birth to a baby girl. In order to help alleviate the difficulty of raising a child in the city, she began yoga classes for parents and their children. She also studied Reiki, energy work, and healing. At present, Hideko teaches yoga at various locations, and from November 2007, began teaching maternity yoga and baby yoga at SHIZEN.
She also teaches at SHIZEN's sister studio in Aoyama, FURLA yoga.
Ineko Homma
Yoga Instructor
She started yoga while living in Hong Kong, yoga became a part of her everyday life until she returned to Japan in 2005.
At that time, she tried Power Yoga, but she wished to study asana more deeply, and was introduced to Dominica at SHIZEN Yoga Studio.
Soon after, in June, 2007, she received her 500-hour yoga instructor’s certification from the American Yoga Alliance in Dallas.
From January 2008, began teaching Intro, Yoga for Works at FURLA and AM Yoga. She continues studying Hatha Yoga under Dominica. She also teaches at SHIZEN’s sister studio in Aoyama, FURLA Yoga.
Yumi has practiced Iyengar Yoga with Naoko Yagyu since 2003. She became a certified instructor in 2008, and took a 4-week advanced class at RIMYI (Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Institute) in Pune, India. Yumi was initially surprised by the rapid changes in her body upon beginning her study of Iyengar Yoga. “Your body will change regardless of your age!” she realized. In addition, the use of props in Iyengar yoga enables the correct alignment of the body in the asana practice, regardless of one’s body type or age. During her time working at an international financial institution, which was always unstable and shifting, Yumi personally realized the need for the mental and physical stability which Iyengar yoga provided. She wishes to share this wisdom, stability, and grounding with her students. Iyengar Yoga emphasizes the basics, reinforcing them in Introductory-level classes by varying the theme, approach, and sequencing, in order to discover our innate freedom and joy. She also teaches at SHIZEN’s sister studio in Aoyama, FURLA Yoga.
Hisako Kanda
Yoga Instructor (ここにYICの資格名）
Hisako first began yoga while busy raising three children. The experience of looking within and connecting to her body and heart, in spite of a hectic schedule, made her realize that one of the splendors of yoga is that it is practiced in all stages of life, including when raising children and growing old. She began to study seriously in 2005, and in 2006, she completed the Yoga Alliance 500-hour Certification. Since then, she has completed certification as a Indian Yoga Institute of Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samasthana, Yoga Ed-Kids yoga. Hisako currently studies under Dominica Serigano. In April 2009, Hisako began teaching Hai Hai Yoga at SHIZEN.
Keiko Okuno moved to Los Angeles in 2003 where she discovered and fell in love with yoga and the many benefits the practice has offered her. She has studied various styles of yoga and completed the 500 hour Yoga Alliance Registered training through Yogaworks. Her teaching is deeply influenced by the Iyengar method and the classes focus on specific alignment, precision within the postures. Keiko believes in the powerful healing yoga can provide. She studied and assisted with Marla Apt, Lisa Walford, Annie Carpenter and Jasmine Lieb. In LA, she enjoyed teaching at various studios including Yogaworks. When she is not practicing or teaching yoga, she is translating yoga manuals. Keiko is excited to become a part of the Shizen community and looks forward to meeting every one of you. She also teaches at FURLA yoga.
He began my journey of discovering and studying the mind and body in 1994, when I studied meditation under a priest Seado Ugdala in Myanmar. In 1999, He was introduced to yoga in India while gaining valuable experience through six years of traveling abroad. Since then He has confirmed the beneficial effects of yoga and adopted a yoga way of life, applying the principles and philosophies to my everyday life. After coming back to Japan, He still visited India repeatedly in order to study yoga and learned from many yogis, such as Swami Govindananda, Vishvketu, and Usha Devi. Teaching yoga in Tokyo since 2004. Recently received the Shivagakomarpaj Massage License in Thailand to deepen my knowledge on adjusting yoga postures. He aims, 90minutes of this class will lead you to a balance life combining physical and mental wellness by strengthening your body and relaxing your mind.