Sara-Shivani's workshop was fantastic. Her knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm is infectious! I learned many new approaches to cultivating prana, health and well-being. Sara-Shivani gave us fantastic tools that she's learned on her studies from masters in India, China and Japan and melded into her own unique approach. This workshop is highly recommended for anyone who wants to increase their daily energy flow, and be inspired to greater health, harmony and happiness!

She has a wonderful teaching style that is inspirational and educational, as well as empowering and holistic. In her Yoga and Qigong workshops she expertly teaches the forms and theories of Yoga and Qi Gong, and also relates her personal experiences of self-transformation and becoming pain-free through these practices and self-healing in nature.

It is this combination that offers such a rewarding and relaxing experience to her students. Shivani gives them the tools to discover their own path to harmony and health through Qi Gong and more interaction with nature, discovering their own inner nature. I highly recommend her workshops and classes. They are perfect for people of all ages and levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
Leza Lowitz M.A., Owner and Director of Sun and Moon Yoga Studio, Tokyo.

■[At Sara-Shivani`s Lifeshop] I enjoyed being with such a diverse range of women and it was very refreshing for me to be with so many Japanese ladies who work and manage their own lives and destinies. …… The pairs work, for me, had the most impact. The ladies that I least identified with after the inital ice-breaking activity where the two who I ended up sharing the deepest and most meaningful conversations. This was a lesson to me and we actually shared some really amazing similarities.

I have been sporadically to yoga classes and didn't know what to expect in regards to the level of physical activity. I felt that it was well balanced and I enjoyed the dance and movement elements. I was relieved actually that it wasn't a full on yoga class.
Sara-Shivani is fun and open and has a natural sweetness about her that translates well to her work. She is outgoing without being precocious and draws you into the fun and spirit of the `lifeshop`…
Shivani is young but has clearly had an enormous amount of life experience and she puts her hear and soul into helping others who are looking for direction, I think she is very suited to doing this because she is still so open to new things and it's almost a sharing process rather than a mentor-student one. Everyone learns from each other. For me, my favorite thing about the two days working with Shivani was learning Japanese phrases. I have always found it very hard to learn the language with teachers or my extended family as they create an atmosphere that isn't conducive to the natural flow of conversation..however the interchange between Shivani, and the other lovely bilingual members of the group was such fun and so easy to keep pace with. It inspired me to lean again but now I need to find the same fun, high energy forum!
I joined the class without any preconceived ideas and was completely revitalized. Some of the issues that I have spent months with a counselor working through came to the fore and were eradicated, whilst others I feel I am tackling with a renewed perspective. Not only this, but the energy that I am now carrying with me seems to be attracting many fresh and wonderful things into my life. This `lifeshop` was the beginning in a chain that I feel will lead me in a totally different direction. L, 40yrs.

Shivani offers more than a massage. I like deep tissue massages and was expecting something more tactile. Sometimes she met my expectations but at other times she would just lightly touch me and stay there. I was surprised and pleased that I found myself in a place of total relaxation.
Joanna- professional singer and stage actress, Tokyo

Shivani`s sessions at the Ayurveda Retreat Hospital in India were very welcome, essential even, in introducing some much needed yin energy to the yang teaching style of the local teachers. It’s more difficult and it requires a greater confidence to present the softer, gentler and deeper side of any energy work. Shivani does this with self belief and authenticity. Luckily for us she facilitates this with humor, staying light with a deep subject, so as not to scare us off. In brief, someone destined to be a valued elder in a few decades time, after inspiring us all with her fun.
Tom Morley, Founder and Director of Instant Team Work, London England

What I appreciate most about Shivani`s classes was her desire to customize each class to her students` needs. The class was always a good way to energize myself before a day of teaching and taking care of myself after a full day of taking care of others. Shivani encouraged me to go deeper and to become more fluid in my own yoga practice.

Amy Frieda Peters, Canada, Ski Instructor

Thanks for the great `interactive Qigong presentation`. I really enjoyed it and as I said to you, I came away feeling re-inspired at the amazing capacity we all have for so much joy and peace, things I've touched on within myself in the past but often forget.The group felt very warm and open and I enjoyed sharing the space with everybody. I think you created a lovely atmosphere in the room and I felt I could relax with you in the role. Although it felt relaxed and friendly there was also the space for people to bring up serious personal issues if they chose to. I liked the way you got us to focus on why we were there and to challenge our assumptions about the way we see various parts of ourselves like pain, happiness, relaxation and so on. I really loved the shaking exercise and I plan to do that at least once a day to see how it affects me… I came away feeling lighter, with a little more of that inner smile. From what you say, this seems to be what Qigong is all about, so I must have tuned into it when I wasn't trying to! Simon, Tokyo, Teacher and Actor.

Thank you for sharing your energy at the Kamakura Retreat today. I always love being around positive and radiant women and the Japanese women also seemed to find it very refreshing. The down and back technique you taught us is fascinating. Now back home in Spain I practice the Qi Gong finger movements (I love to sway), the tongue exercises, the teeth clicking and body patting. Your Prana workshop was also inspiring. I have been to 2 seminars on Prana previously but they were not as pleasant and personal as yours. I also really enjoyed the group work interacting with the other participants.
Jill Gordon, Managing Director of BEST Programs in Spain, Belgium and Italy


Shivani has a beautiful voice, energy and smile. Her approach to yoga poses is unique and very interesting. Martin Quinn, Body worker, Dublin Ireland

I really enjoyed the workshops Shivani`s gave in the forest of the Japan Alps. She gently and simply introduced yoga and Qi Gong to me. By utilizing her voice she created a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere which allowed me to listen to my inner voice. I particularly enjoyed the Yoga Walking Workshop that she combined with elements of meditation and outdoor fitness.
Silke Conrad, Family therapist & Mother, Tokyo Japan

My first Yoga and Qi Gong experience was with Shivani in the Japan Alps during summer. It was wonderful because I was able to deeply relax. In Tokyo my life is very stressful and here in nature and with Shivani`s guidance I was able to feel my physical body and discover where the energy was and was not flowing. The mantra song Shivani sings in every lesson brought a deep sense of inner awareness-of who I am and why I am here. As a beginner some of the poses were a challenge for me but Sarah ensured I was able to find a place of comfort in my body. The yoga-walking made me feel like a part of the earth and she shared poses specific to the menstrual pain I was suffering. By the end of the workshop my cramps were gone. More than anything I love Shivani`s style-she taught in a way that I could feel and just be my pure self.
Satomi, High School Student, Tokyo Japan

The openness and honesty in which Shivani shares her life experience has touched my heart and inspired me to self-heal in a unique way. Her classes are peaceful, nourishing to the Spirit and a lot of fun. It is wonderful that she takes the time to connect with each student individually in every class.
Dana Huskey, Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic consultant, Colorado USA

TESTIMONIALS from Japanese women.

translated from Japanese to English by Hello Yoga.

The only one who can open up your heart is you, but it is a very hard thing to do. And so, wanting to know if I really was free and open or not, I joined in Sara’s workshop. In modern society our minds get so tangled up, but I am learning lots of methods for quietly unwinding mine, and by talking, listening, and feeling with other women in the same place and by being thankful for everything around me, I am slowly reclaiming a calm mind. I’m glad I worked up the courage to lay myself bare like this.
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People who feel like they are trying too hard, or feel like they are in poor health for no clear reason, why not try facing up to your femininity? Until now I had always thought life would be easier if I had been born a man, but after taking Sara’s Lifeshop, I’ve become able to accept myself as a woman. I’ve experienced so many things that I could not before in my daily life. I recommend it for people who can’t open their heart to their parents, friends, or the ones they love.
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Participating in the Lifeshop, I learned for the first time what a lovely and beautiful thing it is to be a woman. I was able to find happiness in my work and hobbies before, and I didn’t think I was dissatisfied in any way, but now as a woman I feel a lot more radiant. And by relaxing instead of trying too hard, being conscious of my body, and loving myself, I am able to shine even brighter. By all means, I’d like you to enjoy what it means to be a woman as well. It felt great. It felt so good I kept wanting to go to sleep. I was able to let myself go, and feel the primitive part of me that is covered up by so many things. Surrounded by so many lovely people I was able to realize that “oh, this is what I am like,” and I felt very calm and warm.
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I feel like I’ve been able to grasp the first clue towards a solution to all of the things in my heart that I feel depressed about. I feel more at ease than yesterday, like I’ve gone back to being a child. It is a very free and warm feeling. I might seize up a bit tomorrow. But if that happens, I will recall what I learned in today’s Lifeshop and keep on going.
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This is completely different from normal yoga. I’ve learned the importance of living like a woman, of expressing my femininity, and of the heart and mind. Sara-Sensei’s beauty and kindness healed me. Tokyo
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More than thinking inside my head, by using my body and interacting with people through dance and massage, I found a strangely relaxed and liberated self. Kind Sara’s energy made the mood of the studio so peaceful, and it was a joy to feel her and everyone’s love at the Lifeshop. Kamakura, 30s