Born in the land of the rising sun, Japan, and raised among the beautiful shores of New Jersey, USA. Eureka Nakano began classical ballet training at the age of five, has trained at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia on a full scholarship and has performed a wide range of roles with multiple ballet companies in America.
When she returned to her home country of Japan, she began studying Taikio. Inspired by this art, she set out on a journey to teach the world about Taikio and since 2014 she has been introducing it internationally across Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, and now Kuwait!
You can attend one of Eureka's free classes tomorrow on Thursday, May 4, 2017, between 5 – 7 p.m. To register and find out more details Whatsapp +965-94442723.
We had the chance to sit down with Eureka and learn more about her and Taikio.
First and foremost, what is Taikio?
Taikio is a method of movement. In the class, we do exercises that rejuvenate and improve the body on a cellular level. It was created in Japan by Keikai in the 90s. The main principle of Taikio is to loosen the body’s cells with movement from within, by creating vibrations and ripples throughout the body. This trains it to stimulate and improve body flow, taking away body waste, strain or stagnation that become sources of stress, immobility, injury or illness.
If you think of a baby’s body, their body circulation is fluid. Each body cell is brand new, well activated, smooth, flexible and durable. But overtime, with age, what you consume or with your daily habits, the body cells start to become hard, stiff and eventually become brittle and sag. Instead of tensing and strengthening, loosening the body to improve the quality of the body’s cells is the aim with Taikio. It is for anyone interested in improving his or her health, beauty or well being!
Has learning Taikio ever helped you in the way you perceive life?
Definitely. Taikio has taught me balance; physically, mentally and emotionally. I used to think a + b = c. I was working very linearly. I was always told I was a ‘hard worker’ but I think I went overboard with everything and just pushed as far as I could with that. Taikio is about being aware of the importance of each and every one of the trillions of body cells that make up our human body. I came to realize and also felt it in my body that everything is really connected.
Practicing this every day, my body cells became loose and flexible. If you could feel my bones (my ribs are especially easy to feel the difference) when you press on them, you can actually feel that the bones are soft and flexible like a child’s. They did not use to be like this, so you can imagine, it is not just my bones that have changed.
Taikio has improved the quality of my body cells. I am much more sensitive, I hear music differently, I dance differently; I feel with not just my ears or eyes or body, I feel it all connected and absorbing whatever it is in that moment. All in all, I feel the possibilities for everything is infinite.
What gave you the courage to share what you have learned with the world?
I am extremely passionate about Taikio, and it is something I feel has helped me physically and emotionally so much that it is too good not to share with the world! Honestly, it is the moment I realized that giving is the most fulfilling thing for me. I live for the smiles of others, and I am so full of happiness when I can make a difference for the better. I want to continue learning and evolving from moment to moment and give everything I can to the world and the people.
Over the years, what kind of relationship have you developed with Taikio?
It is my daily ritual now. I practice every morning and night. Mornings so I can start off with a fresh body and clear brain. I can feel which parts of my organ, muscle, etc. are stressed or straining and I will work on that area more to condition myself. At night after I am done with my day, I will practice again so I can go to sleep, relieving the stress or fatigue I accumulated that day. Usually 30 minutes each. If I can take my time sometimes I will be practicing for an hour and a half or two hours, and if not, I will make time for at least 10 minutes. It still makes a big difference!
What made you go back and learn Taikio after you had finished with school?
I was originally planning to stay in the United States or go to Europe to pursue my dancing. I was injured with stress fractures in both of my feet and also had constant severe pain in my right side of the body so I knew I was not working correctly and decided to go back to Japan to regroup and take care of myself. That’s when I found Taikio and when I did, I really found my body and mind start to change and it gave me a reason to stay and pursue Taikio and share it to the world.
Where else do you plan on introducing Taikio?
I was actually just talking about a Middle East tour with my manager, Nasser, who is one of the co-founders of the Styloplay event company in Kuwait. We are planning to go around several countries this fall, and hopefully stop by Kuwait again as well! I will be returning to Malaysia and Mexico this summer to teach Taikio workshops for ballet dancers there, and I also have plans for the United States.
Why do you think people in Kuwait should attend your workshop?
First of all, the people in Kuwait are so friendly, hospitable and I am loving this country! It really is a chance for everyone to take the time to come move their bodies for their own well-being, relieve some stress and become rejuvenated!
What is going to be the best part of the workshop?
I hope people will feel the joy of their body movement and improvement during and after class for a fresher, lighter, and happier body and mind! I hope that it will be a great and meaningful experience for everyone.
Lastly, I would like to express my thanks to Nasser Ahmed of Styloplay and Nadia Al-Soomali for managing this workshop and making everything possible!
To find out more please visit Eureka’s website, Facebook page, or Instagram account.
