Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2010

Photo by Benjamin Robins (www.minimalized.net)

“Yoga is a life-encompassing practice—so, unsurprisingly, there are abundant ways to teach it,” says Michael Glenn, head instructor at Yoga Tree in Hiroo. “We find that offering classes with a different focus, such as Yoga for Runners and ‘Shakti’ dance, opens people’s eyes to yoga’s diverse tools and techniques for improving physical, mental and emotional health.”

Owned by Glenn’s wife Kaori Takahashi, Yoga Tree opened last August with an international lineup of teachers offering a range of classes. “Shakti,” for instance, is being conducted by pro dancer and martial artist Toi Pua La’a (catch the final installments on June 6 and 13). As the schedule evolves, Glenn is planning to add Tao and Ashtanga classes, as well as AcroYoga, intensive pranayama, and in-depth mantra workshops. Keep an eye on the website for updates.

An American living in Tokyo since 1992, Glenn is a former competitive runner and tennis player. Injury led him to yoga 14 years ago, and after taking up full-time practice seven years back, he has been “pursuing a love of teaching yoga pretty much non-stop.” These days, he teaches an alignment-focused style of vinyasa yoga as well as traditional forms of hatha yoga. “Personally, my approach to the teaching of yoga involves understanding what individual students need in their practice,” he says.

4F Tanaka Building, 5-5-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku. Nearest stn: Hiroo. Email michael@yogatree.jp. www.yogatree.jp