NEW DELHI: Awarded by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for outstanding contribution in promotion and development of Yoga in Japan, Kazuo Keishin Kimura of Japan Yoga Niketan enjoys strong Indian connection.
Kimura is the disciple of Swami Yogeshwarananda Maharaji of Rishikesh, India where he had learned the nuances of Yoga and attained Yogik name Jnana Yogi at Swamiji’s Yoga Niketan based in Rishikesh in 1982.
Prime Minister Modi conferred Yoga Award 2019 to Kimura’s Japan Yoga Niketan, Tokyo in international category a function held in Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on August 30, 2019.
Kimura not only spreads Yoga in Japan but continues to have its strong bond with India where he comes to teach Raja Yoga Asana/Prayanama Meditation as Jnana Yogi at Rishikesh-based Yoga Niketan where he had attained Gurudakshina 37 years back.
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He came to Rishikesh in February, July, and August this year to take sessions on Sadhana and meditation. In November again, he is coming to Yoga Niketan for a 7-day session on Sadhana.
Kimura graduated from Tokyo University of Education in 1969 and founded his Yoga Niketan Japan in Tokyo in 1981, around the time when he was learning Yoga in Rishikesh, India.
While speaking to Asian Community News (ACN) Network on the sidelines of the award function, Kimura said that because of such a long practice of yoga, he had become half Indian.
“Yoga has changed the world’s perspective on Indian society. Yoga is not only a way of leading a healthy life, but also a path to live life soulfully. I have been practicing yoga for the last 45 years,” he said.
Kimura who has authored many books on Yoga had translated “Science of Soul” in 1983 and offered it to his Guru Swami Yogeshwarananda Maharaji during later’s stay in Kashmir in 1984.
Maharaji had passed away in 1985 at Yoga Niketan, Rishikesh.
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He also has authored “Yoga Therapy Theory: Modern Methods Based on Traditional Teachings of Human Structure and Function”. A Raja Yoga Acharya Kimura who made traditional yogic wisdom accessible in Japan hopes to contribute internationally to yoga therapy’s development through books.
“Coming India is like coming to the second home. It is a memorable day for me and gives me immense pleasure. My whole family is practicing yoga and motivating others. Yoga has changed me and my friends completely. It has helped me understand Indian culture and its diversity better. That’s how I relate to yoga and India. Yoga has opened several doors to the world horizon. In Japan only we have several young people taking interest in learning yoga,” Kimura added.
