She is the author of several books, including “Small is Beautiful” (Fusosha), “Healing for Women to Awaken to Deep Love” (Blue Lotus Publishing), and “The NVC Nonviolent Communication Workbook: Giraffe Language for Parents and Children to Connect from the Heart” (Shogakukan).
Could you tell us about the activities you are currently focused on?
With the life motto, “Peace begins here, with me,” I practice and share the inner work of aligning oneself, here and now. Specifically, this includes meditation, movement, NVC (Nonviolent Communication), breath, sexuality, and gratitude work. I only practice the modalities that I have found to be highly effective for myself, and based on that direct experience, I strive to share them in a way that is real and authentic.
I live in Costa Rica, a country in Central America, and I often feel that Japanese people are incredibly earnest, but not accustomed to expressing themselves. I truly feel that this is such a waste! My deepest wish is to help us all live more freely, just as we are, and to shine our brilliant life force as beings of love. That is how I aspire to live, and how I hope to help others live as well.
How did you first become involved with nehan?
It started back in 2017, when Yoshi invited me to be a breathwork guide for a retreat he was organizing in Guatemala. During one of my sessions, he had a powerful emotional release and broke down in tears. I believe it was a moment of immense transformation for him.
He showed me a great deal of respect after that, telling me, “Koko-chan, you are one of the absolute best facilitators in Japan—no, in the world.”
Later, I began visiting Yatsugatake, and as I learned more, I resonated deeply with nehan’s vision. And so, I became involved in the project.
What is your role at nehan?
I guide the breathwork sessions and am also involved in the creation of the overall program. And program creation is truly a deep art. It’s never about just repeating a set formula; it’s influenced by everything—my own state of being as a guide, the energy of the participants, and the unseen energies of nature and all other connections. Each and every time, it is a high-stakes, earnest endeavor.
It is only by authentically deepening the “here and now” that we can begin to reach what is real, what is essential—the profound depth of a human being. For me, that is the ultimate reward of being a guide.
A final message
nehan is a crossover point, a place where people who shape society from all walks of life come together: social entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, artists, hippies, mothers, children, community elders, and investors.
Here, protected by the forests of Yatsugatake, this gathering is vibrantly alive and breathing. At first glance, it may look like chaos, but in truth, it is a living organism—the most powerful form of organization.
Please look forward to what will be born next from this living entity that is nehan!
