About Motoko
Social worker, lifelong yoga practitioner, and living proof of yoga’s healing power.
My name is Motoko, born and raised in Japan. At the age of 18, I moved to the United States to pursue higher education and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. I have a special interest in working with elderly individuals and refugees. Along my academic journey I discovered yoga, and I have practiced it regularly for over twenty years.
In 2012, I was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and underwent my first open-heart surgery to replace my aortic valve with a mechanical valve. Two years later, that valve was found to be failing, and a second surgery replaced it with a human tissue valve. In 2015, an infection on the graft from my original surgery led to a nearly three-month hospital stay and several painful procedures before I began to recover.
Yoga played a crucial role in my recovery. After leaving the hospital, I resumed my practice at the Inner Peace Yoga Center and found it improved not only my physical health but also brought peace to my heart. Having experienced the immense healing power of yoga firsthand, I made it my mission to help others find the same.
I completed my 500-hour RYT certification and have been teaching mindful practices that let people focus on body and mind, moving at their own comfortable pace and breath rate.
In December 2021, I underwent my fourth open-heart surgery, where my aortic valve and root were replaced once again. Once more, yoga was an essential part of my healing. I began with chair yoga and gradually moved on to gentle yoga, the very practices I now share with my students.
About the RYT-500 certification
The RYT-500 is a credential from Yoga Alliance, a non-profit that sets standards for yoga teachers. It certifies at least 500 hours of teacher training, covering anatomy, philosophy, ethics and technique. It reflects dedication and a deep understanding of the practice, giving students trust and confidence in their teacher’s abilities.
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Whether you are recovering, starting fresh, or returning to your mat, there is a gentle way in.
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