Interviews with the 1st Place International Champions

 

Yukari Miwa  First Place Gold Medal, Japan

 

How many years have you competed in the yoga competition?  I have competed the past five consecutive years since 2007 as a representative of Japan.

If you could give other competitors one piece of advice on competing, what would it be?  Challenge yourself and enjoy the journey. Do not compare yourself with anyone.  I believe your discipline and training will shine on stage.

Now that you're an International Champion, how do you plan to promote Yoga Asana as a sport?  I want to share what's important in asana. Spirit and body are different in everybody so I want to make Yoga  Asana Sport into a place where we can show an individual's discipline and hard-work.

 

 

 

 

How many years have you competed in the yoga competition? 

Regionally - Competed 6 years, Reigning 4-time Texas regional Champion 

Nationally - Competed 4 years, Reigning 3-time USA national Champion

Internationally - Competed 4 years, 2-time silver medal Champion and this years current International Yoga Champion.

If you could give other competitors one piece of advice on competing, what would it be?  There are two major pieces of advice I would like give to future competitors. Never Give Up & Do It For Yourself ! Hard work and determined effort always pays offs. No matter how many times you get knocked down - If you chose to get back up and try again, then you have already won. This Yoga Championship is a solo journey. When demonstrating your acquired skill for others, never forget the big reason why you started a yoga practice. Compete solely with this reason at heart, then all pressure will go away and you will shine as bright as the mid-day sun!

Now that you're an International Champion, how do you plan to promote Yoga Asana as a sport?  My Goal is to promote this idea of Yoga Asana as a sport to a much larger audience than those already directly connected to the Yoga community. I plan on using multiple forms; media outlets, demonstrations, & touring to catch the eyes of a wondering audience curious of this sport. Yoga as sport is the next evolution for mankind: When something so positive for our life can be as popular as professional sports (Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, etc..) then we are truly moving forward to a civilization of Wholeness & Well-being.