Asahi in the USA
Asahi in the USA
LIVE CLASSES IN THE USA
FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON
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)
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
Coming in the New Year: Asahi teacher training
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,
& Loba Chudak (217) 621 3443. Call for more information.
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 10:30 am
December 6, 13, 27
January 3, 10, 17
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
ASAHI EVENT COMING UP IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA APRIL 11, 2026! MORE INFO COMING!
ALSO TEACHER TRAINING AVAILABLE AROUND THAT DATE!
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
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.
Donation-based.
Instructor: Deb Wahlberg (906)-364-3679 debwahlberg@yahoo.com. Donation-based.
Starting Jan 13 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ironwood, MI
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 coming soon again at Aurora Fitness & Yoga, 1000 Country Lane, Ste 600, Ishpeming
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 the third week of August 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 am
Address: W Spring St, 49855 Marquette, MI,
Teacher: Donald Bode, phone: (906)236-0960, dlbode149@gmail.com
Year-Round Outdoor Asahi
Every Wednesday from 10 - 10:50 am
Address: Mattson Park, Downtown Harbor, Marquette, MI
Teacher: Diane Tschirgi, (218) 409 5407, dianetschirgi©gmail.com
Donations gladly accepted!
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
Regular classes start on Wed. Sept 8th!
Contact Asahi Teacher for time & location: Brenda Mattson, raymatt@pasty.net, (906) 376 2388
MINNESOTA
DULUTH, MN
Drop-in ASAHI class
Every Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 - 9:50 am
Place: Woodland Community Center, 3211 Allendale Avenue, Duluth, MN 55803
Free for Y members; $10 drop-in per class or $8 with 10-punch pass for community members. View updated YMCA schedule here
Instructor: Deborah Plechner, debmarpl@gmail.com
ASAHI class at Duluth Community Education:
September 22 - December 16, 2025 Mondays 5:30 - 6:15 pm,
Lincoln Park Middle School
Instructor: Rachelle Johnson: bajraf71@gmail.com
ASAHI class Gary New Duluth Recreation Center
Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 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
ASAHI POP-UP classes
Duluth Area Family YMCA: Sat 9 a.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20 (on the third floor)
Address: 302 W 1st St, Duluth, MN 55802
Instructor: Deborah Plechner
HERMANTOWN, MN
ASAHI classes
Essentia Wellness Center YMCA: Mon 9:30 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 pm both days
BEGINNING and ADVANCED TEACHER TRAINING:
($395) ($450)
These trainings will be held in conjunction with FinnFest USA.
A unique opportunity for live training with new US A1 Asahi teacher trainers.
Contact: Sue Schaefer, asahi.mke@gmail.com or Carol Curtis, agneslynn@me.com, Deb Wahlberg, debwahlberg@yahoo.com
(REGULAR CLASSES COMING SOON IN MINNEAPOLIS!) Contact Mark Sedio: marksedio@me.com
PROCTOR, MN
ASAHI class
Thursdays at 5 pm
Address: Forbes United Methodist Church, 33 Grove St, Proctor, MN
Instructor: Sherri Johnson, sherriluj@gmail.com, $5 donation suggested
VIRGINIA
Arlington, VA
Afternoon Asahi Happening: Saturday, April 11, 2026 (More details coming!)
Arlington, VA Asahi teacher training available around the same time. 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
Coming in the New Year!
Asahi Nordic Beginning Teacher Training ($395) Instructor: Sue Schaefer
Address: Village at Manor Park, West Allis, WI
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?
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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
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
Replay of Asahi on the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Wellness Show, broadcast Feb. 8, 2024:
Feb 8th program:
https://www.mibluesperspectives.com/events/asahi-a-finnish-mind-body-health-practice-with-margaret-vainio-and-jill-bevins
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.
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Request a workshop in your area!
Online Asahi C-level teacher training course
Learn anywhere in the world to become an Asahi teacher
Certification USA: $395 Europe: 395€
Sign up and register here
Private Zoom sessions Online
Price per hour $55 Ask more or sign up by email
Watch this video of
Asahi filmed by Maria Milovic in Rhodes, Greece
Watch this video of
Asahi filmed by Maria Milovic in Rhodes, Greece
Asahi filmed by Maria Milovic in Rhodes, Greece
Testimonials
How Asahi has changed these people's lives
Martin Uhlrich, Germany
I felt clumsy my whole life, until I started to practice Asahi at age 70. Now, through Asahi practice, I have better posture, more strength, much better balance, and a new, relaxed way of moving!
Maria Arka, Greece
I fell in 2020 injuring my left shoulder, fracturing some ribs and twisting my ankle. I was in a lot of pain, but ten days after the accident I returned to our Asahi group with my arm in a sling and did just as much as I could without aggravating the injuries. Asahi’s pumping movements helped to speed the healing. I could see improvement with every Asahi session. The physical therapist said my recovery was quite dramatic. Only three months later my husband and I became Greece’s first Asahi instructors!
Nikos Papavasiliou, Greece
My wife started coming to Asahi practices and talked me into trying it. Now we come together. I was surprised at how comprehensive a practice it is. My balance has improved so much that standing on one leg is possible again and moving in general is much easier. Asahi makes me feel so much stronger! As a teacher, I can show other men how easily Asahi moves them to better health!
