Mind-body Health and Movement Meditation
Asahi Nordic Course, September 26-28
$190, plus meals and lodging
$190 , “virtual” attendance via zoom
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Asahi Teacher Training Certification
Sept 28-29
$260, + meals and lodging
Simply tune in and tone up gently in rhythm with your breathing…
From Finland, the Christine Center welcomes back Margaret Vainio, on her third tour to the US to introduce Asahi Nordic, the new universal approach to movement meditation and body mindfulness.
Discover a simple, but effective mind-body health practice designed to meet the modern medical recommendations for healthy physical activity. Asahi Nordic, or Asahi, for short, can be done standing, sitting, or even lying down, with no need for special clothing, no mat or extra equipment.
Who can practice Asahi?
Anyone can practice Asahi, regardless of age or physical state of health. Asahi restores balance and gracefulness for every body type. The method improves coordination, muscle tone, concentration, lowers stress and blood pressure and relaxes the mind. It has been designed to offer everyone the possibility to experience the healing effects of combining movement and breathing. No previous experience is necessary! If you have practiced Asahi previously, you know that each Asahi session gives you deeper self-understanding, so this course is for you, as well. Asahi meets you at whatever physical level you are at, so come as you are and let Asahi move you into the fall season!
THE ASAHI STORY
In 2004, four of Finland’s foremost martial arts teachers were concerned about injuries they were experiencing. They decided to develop a method with the same health benefits as Eastern traditions, but without any health risks, any religious or cultural ceremony, any competition or martial aspect, and to create something that would be easy, inexpensive and accessible for all. The result was this streamlined mind-body practice Asahi, designed for the modern world. It was first developed as a morning exercise, and was named “Asahi,” which means “the rising sun” in Japanese. However, it is such an ingenious method, it works any time of the day. It’s also an abbreviation for: “A Simple And Healthy Idea” = ASAHI. Since one of the developers was a geriatric specialist and internist, he made sure everything about Asahi can be explained by modern medical science. The result is a fun, safe and simple way to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. More info at www.asahiworld.com
Register for Asahi Nordic Course
*STAY AN EXTRA DAY FOR BEGINNING OR ADVANCED TEACHER TRAINING – Sept. 28-29 (Extra fee for training and certification $260)
Since Asahi is a simple method, becoming an Asahi instructor is also quite simple. By participating Sept 26-28 and then staying an extra day (Sept 28-29), you can finish the teacher training requirements and become certified to start your own local Asahi group. You really start to learn it by teaching it to others! Asahi is the teacher, you are just the facilitator. Teaching a class also insures that you continue this good Asahi habit you have picked up in the course! What better way can there be to spread health and well being to the people around you? Teaching a class also insures that you continue this good Asahi habit you have picked up in the course! Register separately for this extra day:
Everyone can participate –
standing, sitting, or in a prone position!
- Those who have never exercised before
- Seniors, for balance and mobility
- Those in recovery from illness or injury
- Athletes, as a warmup or restorative practice
- Children, to improve concentration and agility
Asahi is also safe for people with health issues:
- Joint replacements, osteoarthritis, arthritis
- Neck, shoulder, and back problems
- Respiratory ailments / Heart, circulatory problems
- Problems with balance
- Weight issues
- Performance anxiety / Depression
- Fibromyalgia / Parkinson’s
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS COURSE:
Don: Asahi leaves me refreshed without any lingering aches caused by my osteoarthritis. The results I received from Asahi exceeded those from both Tai Chi and Yoga. Ever since I certified as a beginning teacher, I have been teaching three classes weekly. I look forward to completing advanced training with Margaret this fall.
Gabriele: After the first evening of the Asahi course I slept better than I had in months!
Sharon: “I had significant problems with pain, stiffness, and balance after prior knee replacements. After just a weekend of ASAHI my right knee stiffness and mobility, especially descending stairs, was much improved. It was really remarkable to me because I’m super active and nothing since my surgery had provided the same results!
Significantly my balance has continued to improve. Given my results I would follow Margaret anywhere, and have since returned to receive my ASAHI C- level training last January.”
From body flow to soul expression!
Doing Asahi helps creativity flow more freely, so you may want to visit the painting studio, which will be open every day during the course, Bring the energy flow of the movements to paint and paper, and let your soul speak with brush and color in our new Hildegard Studio anytime during your stay! Or take advantage of the beautiful nature trails. Take time for yourself at the midst of this colorful Fall season.
Margaret Vainio, MA
Certified Head Coach of the Finnish Asahi Nordic Method and Founding member of the Asahi Nordic Institute
Margaret’s Story
Margaret Vainio, MA in Music, choir director, singer, linguist and yoga teacher was born in the US, but has spent her adult life in Finland working as a church musician. She was first drawn to Asahi as a versatile choral warm-up. Now she has studied over ten years with three of the original developers of Asahi. Margaret spent seven years bringing Asahi from Finland to Greece and to Finnish-American FinnFests events 2016-2019. This past year her focus has been the Great Lakes region. She has gotten Asahi Nordic on the curriculum at Northern Michigan University, and has offered introductory courses and teacher training in several locations, including two workshops at the Christine Center. www.asahimovesme.com
In Margaret’s Words…
Doing Asahi isn’t a strict art, so it’s fine that everyone’s version looks a little different.
The essential thing in Asahi is following the breath and relaxing freely into the flow of the movement. This gives the busy mind a well-needed rest and the body a chance to shed unnecessary chronic tension. Learn Asahi now – when you turn 100, you’ll be glad you did!
