Chieko Shiono
Chieko is a 200-hour YogaJaya Accredited Teacher (YJAT200), Baseworks Practice Tier 1 Certified Teacher (BT1), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) with the Yoga Alliance. Chieko returned to Japan after an extensive career in Thailand as a scuba diving instructor for 15 years. In search of a practice method that could develop sustainable progress of strength and flexibility while synergistically balancing the body and mind interface into old age, she discovered Baseworks Practice. Her extended commitment to the practice allowed Chieko to experience the mind-body change in awareness she sought and now shares with others as a Baseworks Certified Teacher. She continues to learn, with the desire to challenge and evolve her skillsets in the field of teaching. She also practices and teaches Aerial Yoga alongside pursuing interests in the study of balancing the yin and yang qualities of the five elements and Macrobiotic and Japanese culinary studies.
Megumi Fukiage
Megumi is a 200 hour YogaJaya Accredited Teacher (YJAT200), BASEWORKS Practice Tier 1 Certified Teacher (BT1), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) with the Yoga Alliance. Having spent her professional life as a fashion stylist and show-window decorator, Megumi currently operates a private select shop. With a background in classical Japanese dance from the age of 3 to 23, Megumi discovered YogaJaya in the process of finding a medium to move her body. Impressed by BASEWORKS Practice system’s influence on building a healthy body, flexibility, strength, positive mindset through daily practice in ones stressful daily life, she completed the BASEWORKS Practice Teacher Training.
Natsuko Koike
BA in Journalism: American University | MA in Global Business Management: Fashion Institute of Technology
Natsuko is a 200 hour YogaJaya Accredited Teacher (YJAT200), BASEWORKS Practice Tier 1 Certified Teacher (BT1), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) with the Yoga Alliance. Born in Tokyo, discovered yoga while studying journalism during her time in University in America. Having worked in the Japanese advertising industry, Natsuko went back to America to complete her MA in fashion business. Since then, practice has been always a part of her daily life, regardless of her business in her marketing profession. Natsuko hopes to share and continue to explore how BASEWORKS Practice has opened her mind and supported her growth both at the studio and in her daily life.
Hitomi Okamoto
BA in Law: Sofia University
Hitomi is a 700 hour YogaJaya Accredited Teacher (YJAT700), BASEWORKS Practice Tier 2 Certified Teacher (BT2), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT500) with the Yoga Alliance. Interested in the inherent state of human beings, currently pursuing studies in oriental medicine. Impressed by BASEWORKS Practice structure’s approach to injury prevention, completed the BASEWORKS Practice Teacher Training. Hitomi hopes to share her insights and mind-body changes through continual practice.
Matan Levkowich
Matan Levkowich is the founder of the Animal Instinct practice and Movement Lab – a vehicle for realisation of his choreographic work. His practice is influenced by his rich background in contemporary dance, Chinese martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, contact improvisation, Feldenkrais method, applied anatomy and more. In the last decade, he devoted himself to educate people from all over the globe about better movement and to reflect upon urgent social phenomena through the medium of performance art. His passion for research and discovery drives him daily to expand his understanding and to further develop himself as a human being.
As a dancer, he danced in works of David Zambrano(VE), Martin Nachbar(GR), Alessandro Sciarroni (IT), Marco Torrice(IT), and others. His choreographic works have been presented in various dance festivals, cultural events, art galleries and museums. He has been touring in several countries in Europe and around such as: Austria, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, England, Greece, Slovakia and Israel.
As a teacher, Matan’s focus lays in movement research. He started giving regular classes in Israel in 2008. Since then, he had the chance to teach in different circumstances and to different audiences; from professional dancers to amateurs and teenagers, in open workshops, festivals and closed intimate groups.
Check out Matan’s website to learn more about him!
Yoshiko Shimizu
Having worked for a trading company, Yoshiko traveled to America to study. Since her return to Japan, she was been working in a telecommunications company at the same time pursuing her diverse interests, ranging from oriental reflexology, mental health/wellbeing, Thai cooking and yoga. Her personal experience of physical/mental change through Baseworks Practice system led her to complete the YogaJaya / BASEWORKS Practice Teacher Training. She loves to work with her body, enjoys running, sea kayaking, and continues to explore her interest in diet, ranging from cooking to studying fermentation foods.
Chie Yoshida
Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Studio & pfilAtes (pelvic floor pilates) Instructor
As a professional in television narrating, radio personality for years, Chie has been a vocal trainer in this field. As a vocal trainer, she realised the importance of mind-body-diet balance and began to explore bodywork and diet which lead her to become a Pilates instructor. In the process of learning “contrology” in Pilates and working on the breath and introspection, she discovered YogaJaya. Being exposed to the depth of the Baseworks Practice method through regular practice, she became inspired to teach the system and completed the YogaJaya / BASEWORKS Practice Teacher Training. Chie continues to explore new realms of learning and sharing as a Baseworks Practice teacher.
Anthony Scott
BA in Japanese literature: School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) | LPC & PgDL: BPP Law School | Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Born in Thailand, growing up in a variety of Asian countries, Anthony studied in the UK and has a degree in Japanese literature from the School of Oriental & African Studies in London. After working for All Nippon Airways and the British Government, he studied at BPP law school in London and now works for a US law firm in Tokyo. From a childhood he was interested in zazen meditation and bushido and especially 道 (Dou) “ways” which enable one to experience “enlightenment” through a combination of physical and spiritual practices. He is a former captain of the British kendo team and holds the rank of 5th Dan, enjoys running and swimming, and has utilized Baseworks Practice to relieve his chronic knee and Achilles’ tendon injuries.
John Connell
John began DJing house music in Glasgow and Edinburgh in 1996. In 2000, he briefly relocated to London, playing at many bars and clubs before basing himself in Tokyo in 2001. He has played extensively at house and techno parties over the last four years, he has held residencies at many respected venues like Womb, Yellow and Air, playing with some of the most influential djs and producers in the world, such as Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos and Sven Vath. Meeting DJ and production partner Akira at Womb, they decided to start an event where they could share their enthusiasm with people looking for fresh music and in October 2004 began the minimal, clickhouse-techno unit “Liminal”.
Also, he has produced music with GRAIN RECORDING as AKA CONICAL. He has co-produced with DIETER HOPNER as AKA LOST LEADERS as well. His music cross over the borders beyond space and time.
His inspiration drew from the inspiring trance like realizations that come from electronic music. His recent interest in yoga practice and inner inquirey has inspired him to connect the bridge between his musical passion and continuing creative process.
Candle June
Lighting a flame around the world.
In 2001, the candles were lit in Hiroshima for “The flame of peace”. Shortly after the trip called “Candle Odyssey” started. It went around war zones or places where an act of terrorism was committed; across America, NY World Trade Center, Afghanistan, an Orphanage in Cambodia, Russell Square in London, and many areas in Japan. From 2005 the candles were lit at Qiqihar in China on the day of the anniversary of the end of the war. Also organizing an event in Niigata where an earthquake had taken place.
1994 marked the start of the candle making process and the beginnings of a multitude of candle installation exhibitions. The events continued with decoration, direction and planning of Fashion shows, Music events and many parties.
Works: LOUIS VUITTON, PRADA, FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, BEN HARPER, NEIL YOUNG, M.M.W and more.
On 3rd of October 2009 Candle JUNE’s first book “Candle Odyssey” was released.