Yoga, a staple exercise and well-being activity in certain parts of the world for many years, has grown in popularity globally in recent years. With its expanding expat population, Kobe has many facilities where locals and newcomers can practice different forms of yoga and learn about its benefits to the body and mind. Here are a few options, although it’s worth checking local leisure centers, too, as self-employed instructors often hire gyms to run sessions.
Abundance Yoga
Situated in the peaceful surroundings of the Kitano hills, Abundance is an Indian-run business offering holistic well-being services. In addition to mantra and hatha yoga classes, you can attend lectures about yoga’s benefits and partake in Indian dance sessions, detox workshops, and vegetarian cooking classes. Abundance also runs yoga sessions for kids. You can attend individual sessions for around 6,600 yen or book a block of four sessions for 22,000 yen. Private sessions are also available for 11,000 yen for a 60-minute session.
Website: https://abundance-kobe.jp/yoga/
LAVA Hot Yoga Studio
This hot yoga specialist facility in Kobe’s Nada ward is a 5-minute walk from Rokkomichi station on the JR Kobe line. There are a variety of hot yoga classes to choose from, including beginner sessions, power yoga, and pilates classes. If you want regular yoga sessions, you can become a full-time member from 6,800 yen a month; otherwise, individual classes start at 2,980 yen a session.
Website: https://yoga-lava.com/
Kobeyoga
Set up in 2008, Kobeyoga has three sites in the Kansai region: two in Kobe (Sannomiya and Rokko) plus one in Kyoto. It runs a wide variety of yoga, aerial yoga, pilates sessions, reformer training, and personal training sessions. You can find something suitable here, from beginner lessons to training sessions, to become a qualified personal trainer or instructor. Individual classes cost around 1,100 yen, or you can pay for a monthly membership plan. These start at around 15,400 yen a month.
Website: https://kobeyoga.jp/
Apple Aerial Yoga Studio
This yoga studio on the top floor of a building in Nishinomiya is only one minute’s walk from Hankyu Shukugawa station, so it’s easy to reach from Kobe. As the name suggests, the studio specializes in aerial yoga, but there are more than ten qualified instructors on hand running various classes, including postnatal yoga, relaxation yoga, ballet yoga, ashtanga yoga, silk suspension, and pilates. Beginners are welcome, and no prior knowledge or experience of yoga is needed. You can choose between a monthly membership at around 15,000 yen or paying about 5,950 yen for individual lessons.
Website: http://appleyoga.info/
Indo Yoga
These are smaller classes run by a qualified Indian yoga teacher in Sannomiya. Group sessions are available as well as 1-2-1 teaching. The style is basic hatha yoga focusing on improving breathing and relaxation techniques.
Address: 1050-2 Shikano-cho, Kobe 677-0033
Tel: 090-5042-9969
Green Space Kitano
Green Space Kitano is a facility offering yoga, music, and dance sessions. Teachers are bilingual, so this business is great for expats new to the area, and you can find classes for both beginners and experienced yogis. Sessions include breath yoga and yin yoga, with drop-in tutorials available for 2,500 yen, or you can buy a block of 10 sessions for 20,000 yen.
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