Interview with the Tasaka Couple
We spoke with the Tasaka couple who operate Totonoi-dokoro mui in Mabi.
Encounter with Thai-style Massage and Yoga
What prompted you to start Thai-style massage and yoga?
Masashi Tasaka
At the age of 29, I quit the company I was working for, and the opportunity came when I visited Thailand as a backpacker.
I had chronic back pain and was taking care of myself. I started learning Thai-style massage to experience the culture of Thailand, but before I knew it, I was deeply immersed in its philosophical enjoyment and depth.
Yumi Tasaka
I had seen my mother practicing yoga since I was little.
After graduating from university, I started working as a health exercise instructor and began to enjoy conveying the joy of movement, thinking that I wanted to teach yoga in the future.
A turning point for me was my encounter with rafting.
In the great outdoors, I experienced the sensation of "relaxing my shoulders." After that, when I began to study yoga in earnest, I realized that the comfort I felt in nature was actually "yoga philosophy" itself.
I was captivated by the joy of confirming answers, and I thought I want to deepen this for a lifetime, which brings me to where I am now.
The Thoughts Behind "mui"
Can you tell us about the origin of your business name?
Masashi Tasaka
The name "mui" is derived from the term "Muishizen."
We discussed and decided on it together many times before moving to Mabi.
What we offer is not just massage and yoga, but also a wish for people to get in shape and feel better through connecting with nature and play.
I have experienced losing a dear friend to a mental illness. At that time, I often wondered if there was something I could have done.
In my self-questioning, I became convinced that the key to relieving tension in the body and mind lies in the simple daily activities, such as walking outside in the sunlight or having tea with someone, which became the foundation of the space called "mui."
What mui Aims For
What are your future plans?
Masashi Tasaka
I am considering a project that combines self-care and bushcraft.
Bushcraft is an activity that is like a cross between camping and survival, where you make tools by carving wood with a knife and start fires.
Children today have fewer opportunities to connect with nature and use tools like saws. I want them to use their bodies and feel nature while creating something. In between, I want to talk about self-care.
Learning about body building and life skills also contributes to disaster prevention. I want to create a project that feels like play but is educational and enjoyable for parents and children.
Yumi Tasaka
Based on my knowledge and experiences, I would like to offer a "Seasonal Health Course."
I want to convey tips for dealing with physical discomfort and how to spend each season in a way that is easy for the general public to understand, based on what I learned from yoga.
I would be happy if people could have a toolbox of ideas to live comfortably, even when I am not around.
Conclusion
What both of them have in common is the desire to nurture the ability to adjust oneself in daily life, not just to provide healing.
It is not about doing something special in a special place, but rather being able to notice in everyday life, "I am tired right now, so I should relax a bit." They believe that the accumulation of these small realizations creates a healthy life.
How about taking some time to face your body and mind in the calm atmosphere of Totonoi-dokoro mui?
Data on Totonoi-dokoro mui
| Name | Totonoi-dokoro mui |
|---|---|
| Address | 1397-1 Ari, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-1684-5251 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM By appointment only |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Totonoi-dokoro mui |
