Saha Yoga & English ― Welcome!
Saha is a Sanskrit word meaning "with" and "together." It also comprises the word "sahaja," an important concept in yoga and Buddhism, which means that you have already gained enlightenment in the body you are born (ja) with (saha).
"Saha Yoga & English" was named aiming at creating a space where students and teachers can learn and grow together.
Saha Yoga & English offers the following classes:
Yoga
Yoga for the Special Child®
Yoga for the Special Child® is a yoga method developed by Sonia Sumar nearly 50 years ago, for her daughter Roberta who was born with Down syndrome. Since then, the method has been taught in many parts of the world and has helped many children as well as adults with Down syndrome, autism, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and other special needs.
Based on traditional yoga practices, sessions consist of mantra chanting, eye exercise, pranayama (breathing exercise), asanas (yoga postures) and deep relaxation, and are taught one-on-one or in small groups with a Yoga for the Special Child® Licensed Practitioner.
Sessions are held at a location near Yamamoto Station (Hankyu Takarazuka Line), or can also be held at your home or other places (please consult with the teacher).
The first four sessions are offered free of charge. Please contact us through our inquiry format.
→ What is Yoga and How it Can Help
→ An Interview with Sivakami Sonia Sumar
(You can read this article in the latter part of the page)
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English
Jolly Phonics
Jolly Phonics is a multisensory programme that teaches young children the skills they need to read and write English fluently. It uses a systematic approach that enables both children with and without special needs to efficiently learn how to read and write English.
Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at Cotorie (five-minute walking distance from Hankyu Yamamoto Station).
Please contact us through our inquiry format.
Learn more → A Programme that Grows with Your Children
(Jolly Phonics site in UK)
Teacher Profile
Junko Takahashi has worked for Japanese and Swiss pharmaceutical companies as a communications specialist for ten years before advancing her career as a freelance translator (English-Japanese) specializing in medicine, pharma and finance.
As a mother of a child with special needs, she realized the huge potential yoga has for children with special needs while taking yoga classes for herself. Since then she started her routine practice and study of yoga. In 2020, she became the first and only Yoga for the Special Child licensed practitioner in Japan's Kansai region.
And as her child had difficulties in learning English, she came to know Jolly Phonics and her wonderful teacher Yoko Matsumoto, a professional Jolly Phonics and Jolly Music trainer in Japan, and thus began to be trained as a Jolly Phonics/Jolly Music teacher. She started teaching Jolly Phonics in May 2023.
Certifications and Other Qualifications
Yoga:
- Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200)
- Yoga for the Special Child Licensed Practitioner / Yoga Alliance Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (RCYT)
- Yoga Ed. Trauma-informed Yoga for Youth
- TOKYOYOGA Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga
- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction 8-week Program
Language:
- Jolly Phonics Training with Yoko Matsumoto
- Jolly Music Training with Yoko Matsumoto
- TOEIC score 970
- Diplôme d’Aptitude Pratique au Français 2 kyu