LIVE CLASSES IN THE USA FOR  2026
LOOK FOR EVENTS NEAR YOU!

Dates and times may change. Please check this schedule regularly and contact the teachers offering the classes! (Press the gray text for direct links or to contact instructors)

VIRTUAL CLASS: HEAD TRAINER MARGARET VAINIO

ALL-SEASON ASAHI 8-week online course
Coming again soon by popular demand! Stay tuned!

ILLINOIS

RIVERSIDE, IL

Informal Asahi group: Thursdays at 4:30 pm
Address: Riverside Library, Burla Road, Riverside IL 60546
Teacher: Gina Consolino-Barsotti, gconsobarsotti@gmail.com (312) 307 9643

URBANA, IL

Asahi teacher training in smaller doses - stretched over 4 days - coming soon!
Cost: $395
Contact:  Carol Curtis:  (217)278 9187, agneslynn@me.com

Drop-in Asahi class Tuesdays at 11 am 
Teachers: Carol Curtis (217)278 9187, agneslynn@me.com
Lisa Renee Kemplin klisarenee@gmail.com
Michelle Johlas (217) 369 6556 , email: InSpiralMoves@yahoo.com
Loba Chudak (217) 621 3443. lobasart@gmail.com.
Call for more information: (217)278 9187
Address: Cornerstone Fellowship Church,
1101 E. Colorado Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, $10/class  

MARYLAND

BETHESDA, MD

Year-round Asahi outdoor classes, at least almost always outdoors!
On Saturdays, starting at 9:00 am
Saturday, May 16th
Saturday, May 23rd
Saturday, May 30th
Saturday, June 6th
Saturday, June 13th
Recommended donation: $10
Address: 8620 Garfield St., Bethesda, MD (Louise McHugh's backyard) In case of rain, come to 8618 Garfield St to Margaret's screen porch...!
Teacher: Margaret Hilton: (301) 356 4761 mhilton8@gmail.com

MICHIGAN

BIG BAY, MI

Open Asahi Classes:
Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30 AM at the Draver Park Pavilion, Hoffman St, Big Bay, MI 49808
Contact Teacher:Jill Vanatta, phone: (906)361 9599 

CRYSTAL FALLS, MI

September 10 - 14, 2026: Asahi as part of the Nature Inspired Fall Wellness Retreat
Location: Fortune Lake Camp
Address: Fortune Lake Road, Crystal Falls, MI
Info and registration: Charlotte Strom, hospitality@fortunelake.org

HANCOCK, MI

Asahi classes Mondays at 1:30 pm (Lois) & 6:00 pm (Julie)
Address: Gloria Dei Church (Lower Level) 1000 Quincy St., Hancock, MI
Teachers: Lois Blau lablau@mtu.edu and Julie Beck jbeck@up.net

IRONWOOD & BESSEMER, MI/HURLEY, WI 

Coming Soon! Exact dates to be announced
Beginning Asahi Teacher Training!  ($395)
Instructor: A1 Asahi trainer Deb Wahlberg, and advanced Asahi instructor Naomi Kauppi
Address: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 111 S. Curry St. Ironwood, MI
Registration: (906)-364-3679 debwahlberg@yahoo.com.  

Asahi class  every Tuesday  at 12:00
Address: Little Finland, on US 2 west of Hurley. Starting Jan 13 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ironwood, MI
Instructor: Deb Wahlberg (906)-364-3679 debwahlberg@yahoo.com. Donation-based.

Asahi class every Thursday at 3:30 pm
Address: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 111 S. Curry St, Ironwood, MI 49938
Instructor: Naomi Kauppi (906)364 3363 njkauppi2@gmail.com
Participate on Facebook live by befriending  "Paul Lutheran"

ISHPEMING, MI

Asahi class at Aurora Fitness & Yoga
5/27, Wed, 1000 Country Lane, Ste 600, Ishpeming. Diane Tschirgi

Weekly Asahi class at the Ishpeming Senior Center 
starting Thursday, June 18th at 10:30 -11:30 am. Instructor: Done Bode (906)236-0960, dlbode149@gmail.com

MARQUETTE, MI  

Marquette's  4th Annual  Asahi Week was a great success! What events would you like to see in August 2026? 

ASAHI WEEK 2026 coming August 18 - 26, 2026! Suggest an Asahi event in your neighborhood! Teacher training will also be available then, if not sooner!
For more info on Asahi Week Events: dlbode149@gmail.com or ann.constance@yahoo.com  

Open Classes at Marquette Senior Center:
Mondays & Fridays at 10:30 - 11:30 am
Address: W Spring St, 49855 Marquette, MI,
Teacher: Donald Bode, phone: (906)236-0960, dlbode149@gmail.com

Open Asahi classes Wednesday 10 - 10:50 am
with Diane Tschirgi: (218) 409 5407, dianetschirgi©gmail.com

5/27  Aurora Fitness & Yoga Gym, Ishpeming (off Hwy 41 just before McDonalds) $12 drop-in
6/3   Outdoor class in Mattson Park, Lower Harbor $10  
6/10 Outdoor class in Mattson Park, Lower Harbor $10

6 Weeks of Sunrise Asahi on Wednesdays
30-Minute Beginner Class ( Series I & II), starts 15 minutes before sunrise.
Location: McCarty Cove $5      
Dress appropriately and bring a camera!

7/22  Sunrise Asahi
7/29  Sunrise Asahi (this one is extra special, w/full moon setting about the time the sun rises!)
8/5     Sunrise Asahi
8/12  Sunrise Asahi
8/19  Sunrise Asahi  
8/26  Sunrise Asahi

Special Event:  Asahi Seminar at the Northern Center for Lifelong Learning 
8/18 Tuesday from 3 - 6 pm, with Diane Tschirgi, Ann Constance, & Margaret Vainio.
Register through NCLL website: https://nmu.edu/ncll/sites/ncll/files/2026-04/NCLL-Registration-Form-Summer-26.pdf  
This seminar starts off Asahi Week in Marquette Aug 18-26. Asahi teacher training also available!

Modern Nordic Walking - Elevate your walk! $40 per session  
Must purchase your own poles prior to class. The recommended brand is Fizan. Ensure there is a releasable hand grip.  
Please contact Diane Tschirgi: (218) 409 5407, dianetschirgi©gmail.com
Fri, 6/5    2:00 - 4:30 PM  - 1 spot available; location Al Quall Rec Area
Fri, 8/14 2:00 - 4:30 PM - 4 spots available; location Mattson Park, Lower Harbor

Outdoor Asahi
Wednesday at 10 am will resume in September!

NMU Asahi class: 
Fall term 2025 Aug 26 - Dec. 11
Tuesdays & Thursdays 4 - 4:50 pm
Instructor: Krystyna Rickauer, (906) 225 8540
 Registration required! Call Christy Johnson (906) 227 2528.
(Free tuition for people 62+) Register here now for class starting in January 2026!

BRULÉ YMCA: 
Asahi as part of Pedaling for Parkinson's class.
YMCA of Marquette County
(Pre-registration required!)
Address: 1420 Pine St. Marquette, MI, 49855
Teacher: Rachel Berglund: (906)227-9248 or email: rberglund@ymcamqt.org

NEGAUNEE, MI

Place: Negaunee YMCA
Contact Asahi Teacher: Rachel Berglund: (906)227-9248 or email: rberglund@ymcamqt.org

REPUBLIC, MI

 Contact Asahi Teacher for time & location: Brenda Mattson, raymatt@pasty.net, (906) 376 2388

MINNESOTA 

DULUTH, MN 

All Duluth YMCA centers are now part of the Lake Superior YMCA.
All classes can be found at their website here

ASAHI class  Woodland Community Center  
Every Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 - 9:50 am
(View updated YMCA schedule here) 
Place: WCC, 3211 Allendale Avenue, Duluth, MN 55803
Free for Y members; $10 drop-in per class or $8 with 10-punch pass for community members.  Instructor: Deborah Plechner, debmarpl@gmail.com  

ASAHI class  Duluth Community Education:
Tuesdays, June 9 - July 28, 9:00 - 9:45,
Ordean-East Middle School
Instructor: Rachelle Johnson: bajraf71@gmail.com

ASAHI class  Gary New Duluth Recreation Center
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Free for YMCA members; $10 drop-in per class or $8 with 10-punch pass
for community members  
Instructor: Rachelle Johnson: bajraf71@gmail.com

NEW! ASAHI Power & Dynamics - a little more of a workout
Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:45 in Jan- February (check YMCA schedule at Ymca36O app or at website)
Place: WCC, 3211 Allendale Avenue, Duluth, MN 55803 Free for Y members; $10 drop-in per class or $8 with 10-punch pass for community members.
Instructor: Deborah Plechner

ASAHI class UM-D, instructor: Susan Halvorson

HERMANTOWN, MN

ASAHI classes
Essentia Wellness Center YMCA:
Mon 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. and Wed 11:15 a.m. - noon.
Address: 4289 Ugstad Road, Hermantown, MN 55811
Instructor: Rachelle Johnson: bajraf71@gmail.com

ASAHI classes 
Essentia Wellness Center YMCA: Sun 9:30 a.m.
Nov 11, Dec 7, & Dec 21 (Check the schedule after that as it is supposed to be every other week)
Address: 4289 Ugstad Road, Hermantown, MN 55811
Instructor: Deborah Plechner

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

PRE-FINNFEST USA: September 16-17,  2026, 9 am - 4:00 pm both days
BEGINNING and ADVANCED TEACHER TRAINING:  
($395)                         ($450)  
These trainings will be held in conjunction with FinnFest USA. See more here
Contact: Sue Schaefer, asahi.mke@gmail.com or Carol Curtis, agneslynn@me.com, Deb Wahlberg, debwahlberg@yahoo.com
Place: Christ Church Lutheran,  3244 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55406


(REGULAR CLASSES COMING SOON IN MINNEAPOLIS!) Contact Mark Sedio: marksedio@me.com

PROCTOR, MN

ASAHI class
Mondays days at 5 pm, ending May 18th
Address: Forbes United Methodist Church, 33 Grove St, Proctor, MN
Instructor: Sherri Johnson, sherriluj@gmail.com, $5 donation suggested

VIRGINIA

Arlington, VA

Intro to Finnish Asahi: Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 1 - 4 pm.
Resurrection Lutheran Church, 6201 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205

Asahi teacher training April 9-10 from 1 - 7 pm each day.
Cost: $395
Trinity Lutheran Church, Falls Church, VA,
Contact: margaret@asahinordicinstitute.com or finnhappy22@gmail.com

WISCONSIN

MELLEN, WI

Asahi Nordic class at the Mellen Library Wednesdays at 4 pm
Teacher: Naomi Kauppi (906)364 3363 njkauppi2@gmail.com
Address: Legion Memorial Library, 106 Iron St., Mellen, WI

MILWAUKEE, WI

Asahi Teacher Training Coming in April 11- 12, both days from 8:30 am  - 4:00 pm
Asahi Nordic Beginning Teacher Training ($395) Instructor: Sue Schaefer
For more info contact Sue Schaefer: asahi.mke@gmail.com

Asahi Nordic Exercise Wednesdays 10:30
Teachers: Lorraine Vasser (413)347 3598 and Mary Strautmann (414)688 2528
Village at Manor Park, West Allis, WI,

Asahi Nordic Exercise Fridays at 10 - 11 am
Teacher: Sue Schaefer: (262) 955-4066
Address: Kelly Senior Center 6100 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy, WI

PRESQUE ISLE, WI

Asahi classes weekly Tuesdays at 3 pm
Location Presque Isle Community Center
Teachers: Naomi Kauppi (906)364 3363 njkauppi2@gmail.com &
Deb Wahlberg (906)-364-3679 debwahlberg@yahoo.com.

SHEBOYGAN, WI

Asahi classes - outdoors, if the weather permits! Dates to be announced!
free to the public, sponsored by Mead Public Library
Address:  Mead Public Library, 710 N 8th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081.
Teacher: Courtney Anne Holcomb: courtney.anne.holcomb@gmail.com

WAUSAU, WI 

Asahi at 5 Koshas: 
Contact teacher: Sherry Oakes: sdoakes1995@yahoo.com
Address: 5 KOSHAS YOGA & WELLNESS CENTER, 2220 Sherman St, Wausau, WI, United States, Wisconsin
Contact 5-Koshas by Email for more information: office@5koshasyoga.com; phone:  (715) 298-19

Any questions?

Contact us here

_______________________________

Replays of 4 TV broadcasts in August 2025

WDIO-TV Duluth Aug 1, 2025 Interview at Duluth Asahi teacher training
https://www.wdio.com/lift-online/finnish-wellness-through-asahi/

WLUC-TV Marquette Aug 15, 2025 Interview at Hurley Library Introduction to Asahi class https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/08/15/finnish-footprints-midwest-health-services-organization-use-asahi-benefit-senior-health/

WLUC-TV Marquette Aug 27, 2025 Author and Asahi A1 teacher trainer Deb Wahlberg  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gc9idhS_LI

WZMQ-TV Marquette  Aug 20, 2025 Asahi at the Farmers' Market
  https://wzmq19.com/news/352008/wednesday-night-farmers-market-doesnt-disappoint/ 

Replays of Asahi on Marquette's WLUC-TV Morning Shows:
broadcasts on July 8, 11, & 12, 2024

Here are the links:

Program July 8, 2024 First Clip
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/video/2024/07/08/experience-asahi-nordic-during-marquette-asahi-nordic-week/

Program July 8, 2024 Second Clip
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/video/2024/07/08/experience-asahi-nordic-during-marquette-asahi-nordic-week/

Program July 12, 2024
Interview of Krystyna Rickauer, NMU's current Asahi Nordic Instructor at a practice in Mattson Park
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/video/2024/07/12/asahi-nordic-week-features-free-classes-marquette/

Program July 16, 2024
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2024/07/16/upper-michigan-today-practices-asahi-nordic-looks-summer-tourism-up/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEsSFdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHS0gq--Z9l8bWf0IXsW13Uod6BOtn6f2ieYM9zpGzmuJCT4kn30GdIYPiA_aem_BZszxbaaWxa3l6yJdtVnIQ

Replays of Asahi on the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Wellness Show and Monday Senior Series:  starting Feb 2024 to present

Feb 8, 2024 30-minute program on the Wellness Show with Margaret Vainio:
https://www.mibluesperspectives.com/events/asahi-a-finnish-mind-body-health-practice-with-margaret-vainio-and-jill-bevins

 July 21, 2025: 30-minute program on the Monday Seniors Series with Margaret Vainio https://www.bcbsm.mibluedaily.com/events/monday-senior-series-an-introduction-to-asahi

FIVE ASAHI VIDEOS ON THE MONDAY SENIOR SERIES WEBPAGE: (scroll down on the webpage!)

April 29, 2025: Asahi Series 1 in Three Short Videos:
https://www.bcbsm.mibluedaily.com/categories/past-senior-series

May 21, 2025: Asahi Chair Exercise
https://www.bcbsm.mibluedaily.com/categories/past-senior-series

May 21, 2025: Asahi Wheelchair Exercise
https://www.bcbsm.mibluedaily.com/categories/past-senior-series

Replay of Modern Nordic Walking on the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Wellness Show: June 24, 2025 

Interview of Tiina Arrankoski, developer of Modern Nordic Walking on the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Wellness Show:
https://www.bcbsm.mibluedaily.com/events/modern-nordic-walking-how-to-enhance-the-elements-of-healthy-gait-using-poles

Replay of 26 Aug & 31 Aug (2022): Asahi Nordic on Marquette's TV 6 WLUC Morning News

Here are links to the replay of the TV programs:  

Program August 26, 2022
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/08/26/upper-michigan-today-practices-asahi-nordic-looks-forward-up-city-fest/

Program August 31, 2022: https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/08/31/asahi-nordic-being-offered-northern-michigan-university/

Don Bode, Marsha Lucas and Margaret Vainio demonstrate Asahi Nordic and discuss its health benefits, with an emphasis on the importance of regular practice. 

_____________________________________
Request a workshop in your area!

Find out more about our live workshops!