Discovering ‘Kizuki’: How Awareness Transforms Your Yoga Practice and Daily Life 

July 11, 2025

When I first started practicing yoga seriously, I was drawn not only to the physical benefits but to something deeper — a subtle, quiet moment of realization during practice. In Japanese, we call this Kizuki (気づき), which means awareness or noticing. It’s the gentle spark of insight that shifts how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.

Growing up in Japan, surrounded by the influences of Buddhism and Shinto, Kizuki was something I encountered often in philosophy but never quite brought fully into my daily life — until yoga helped me unlock it from within.

What is Kizuki?

Kizuki is more than just mindfulness or being present; it’s an awakening to what’s really happening inside your body and mind — those little shifts in breath, sensation, and emotion that usually pass unnoticed. It’s like turning on a subtle internal light that helps you see yourself clearly, without judgment.

My Journey with Kizuki

After experiencing serious health challenges in 2020, I found myself searching for ways to heal not only my body but also my mind and spirit. Yoga became my refuge. As I learned to move mindfully and breathe consciously, I started noticing the power of Kizuki — moments when I became aware of tension holding me back or a breath that deepened my calm.

This awareness didn’t just stay on the mat. It carried into everyday life: noticing impatience before it turned to frustration, recognizing when my back was tensing before pain set in, or simply appreciating a quiet moment in nature.

How to Cultivate Kizuki in Your Practice

Here are a few ways you can start inviting Kizuki into your yoga practice:

• Slow down your breath: Bring gentle attention to how you inhale and exhale. Notice where you feel the breath — is it in your belly, chest, or throat?
  
  

• Scan your body: Take moments in each pose to check in with sensations without trying to change anything.
  
  

• Observe your thoughts: Watch your mind as it wanders, then gently bring it back to your breath or movement.
  
  

• Be kind to yourself: Awareness is not about perfection but about compassionate noticing.
  
  

Why Kizuki Matters

Incorporating Kizuki transforms yoga from just physical exercise into a journey of self-discovery and healing. It helps you break old patterns, reduce stress, and find balance — physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I hope that in every class and session, you too find your own Kizuki — that small, powerful moment of awakening that can guide you toward a more mindful, peaceful life.