October 12-14, 2021
$150, plus meals and lodging
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Caring for health the Nordic way, from the happiest people in the world!
From Finland, the Christine Center welcomes Margaret Vainio, first woman head-coach of Asahi!
Introducing a new universal approach to movement meditation and body mindfulness.
Discover a mind-body health practice designed to meet the modern medical recommendations for healthy physical activity. Anyone can practice Asahi Nordic, or Asahi, for short, regardless of age or physical condition and without any mat or extra equipment.
Who can practice Asahi?
Asahi is the simple, practical, but profound mind-body practice. Asahi is made up of easy movements and its health benefits are backed up by modern scientific sport medicine research.
Asahi has been specially designed to offer everyone the possibility to experience the healing effects of combining breathing and movement. Restores balance and grace for every body type.
THE ASAHI STORY
After injuring themselves in a practice for the umpteenth time, two of Finland’s toughest, foremost martial arts teachers limped off to rest. “Why do we keep doing this to ourselves?” one asked the other. “Why not develop a method with all the same health benefits, but with no risk of injury, no religious or cultural ceremony and would be easy and inexpensive enough for anyone to practice?” So they did, with the help of an geriatric specialist and a university physical education & mindfulness teacher. Their lives changed as they became champions of slow, soft mindful exercise. The year was 2004 and the result was the streamlined mind-body practice Asahi, designed for the modern world.
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
From body flow to soul expression!
Unique to the Christine Center experience, Intuitive painting is included with this premier retreat!
Sr. Gabe will join Margaret for these days of restorative mindful movement rejuvenation, anchoring intuitive painting opportunities for all Asahi participants.
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!
Margaret Vainio, MA
A2 Certified Head Coach of Asahi and Founding member of the Nordic Health Institute
Margaret’s Story
Margaret Vainio, MA, is a Finnish choir master, linguist and yoga teacher was first drawn to Asahi as a versatile choral warm-up. Recently she became the first woman head coach of this mind-body practice, studying with three of the original developers. Margaret has dedicated the past six years to bringing Asahi from Finland to Greece and is now on an Asahi teaching tour in the United States.
In Margaret’s Words…
I am so happy to bring this meditation art-exercise to the Christine Center! It is for everyone.
Even people with serious physical handicaps have said they benefit greatly by participating in an Asahi practice, doing what works for them, staying in the flow and envisioning themselves doing the rest of the movements that are out of their scope.
Using simple associations helps everyone find a more relaxed way to approach the movements.
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!
