KURA

Kuramitsu Yoshiaki, or Kura, was born and raised in the northern regions of Japan, where his journey into bodywork began through the practice of Kendo, a traditional martial art. Early on, he developed an interest in therapeutic massage techniques, which he continues to explore to this day. Kura later moved to Australia, where he became part of an alternative community, working as a massage therapist and discovering the benefits of permaculture, macrobiotic nutrition, and meditation. His first encounter with yoga was through the writings of legendary Japanese yogi Naruse Masaharu, who remains a deep source of inspiration for Kura’s practice.

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Kura's quest for knowledge led him to long stays in India and Thailand, where he deepened his study of yoga, meditation, and Thai yoga massage. He spent several seasons practicing Ashtanga yoga under the guidance of Vijay Kumar in Mysore, India, gaining authorization to teach primary and intermediate sequences. Kura has also studied Pranayama and Mudra with BNS Iyengar, Anusara yoga with Jonas Westring, and philosophy and Ayurveda with Balarama Chandra Das. His expertise in therapeutic massage, yoga, and martial arts allows him to tailor his classes to the unique physical and mental needs of each student.

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Today, Kura teaches Hatha and Ashtanga yoga, specializing in Mysore practice, at Wild Rose Yoga Studio and Namo Yoga in Chiang Mai. His approach, rooted in mindful body awareness, is designed to support each student’s growth in a safe and nurturing environment. His deep understanding of the body, combined with a mindful yoga practice, enables him to adapt to the individual needs of his students, helping them develop physically, mentally, and spiritually.