Asahi Nordic and Asahi Health

Asahi is a Finnish health exercise based on the eastern traditions of tai chi, qigong, yiquan and yoga, with a western scientific viewpoint. In Finland, there are two Asahi organisations, Asahi Nordic and Asahi Health. The international wing of Asahi Nordic is Asahi World.

Asahi exercise is often taught and performed in groups but can also be performed alone.

Etymology

Asahi is from the Japanese for morning sun (Kanji: 朝日; Hiragana: あさひ; Katakana: アサヒ).

The History of Asahi

Asahi was created in Finland in 2004 by Timo Klemola, Ilpo Jalamo, Keijo Mikkonen, and Dr. Yrjö Mähönen. In 2024, Dr. Mähönen credited Ilpo Jalamo and Keijo Mikkonen with originating the idea, writing that he was pulled into the project due to his professional expertise in internal medicine and geriatrics, and that Timo Klemola, Ph.D.^[1] had contributed his expertise in Eastern philosophy.^[2]

According to Dr. Mähönen, all of the founders were Black Belt in Karate, and all sought a "simple, effective and inexpensive form of health exercise especially designed for Finnish people."^[3]

In 2014, the founding members parted company.

Dr. Yrjö Mähönen and Ilpo Jalamo founded Asahi Nordic ry in 2015. Their new website was fully functional by 2016.^[4]^[5] They offer training worldwide, as well as throughout Finland. In 2026, their international website listed many dozens of instructors in twelve countries.^[6] Asahi training sessions at FinnFest USA have been well-attended.^[7]

Keijo Mikkonen continued to offer Asahi training in Helsinki, through the original website Asahi Health. In 2023, he reached the rank of 6.dan in Karate.^[8]

The Principles of Asahi

Asahi is a series of slow movements, completed in silence. It looks a bit like qigong.

The original six principles of Asahi were:

Coordinating movement and breath (Liikkeen ja hengityksen rytmitys)
Practicing vertical body alignment (Kehon pystysuoran linjauksen harjoittaminen)
Moving the whole body (Kehonlaajuinen liike)
Moving slowly and listening (Liikkeen hitaus ja kuuntelu)
Training the mind with imagery (Mielen harjoittaminen mielikuvien avulla)
Letting the movements flow (Harjoitus muodostaa virtaavan kokonaisuuden)^[9]

In its 2021 English-language publication, Asahi Nordic lists eleven principles:

combining movement and breath
staying relaxed
moving slowly with concentration
keeping your body in alignment
alternating contracting and expanding the body
working through the string of joints
focusing on your core
practicing balance
letting the movements flow
moving in spirals
being in a state of awareness^[10]

The Asahi World webpage describes Asahi® as "... a versatile health exercise suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Originating from Finland, Asahi is known for its holistic approach, incorporating gentle movements synchronized with slow breathing. Whether you're an athlete seeking post-workout recovery or an individual looking for stress relief, Asahi offers a fitness program that caters to everyone."^[11]

The Asahi Health website describes Asahi Health™ as (in translation to English) "a method of health exercise developed by Finns, the purpose of which is the prevention and treatment of our typical ailments. It is a method like physiotherapy, in which a person himself treats and takes care of himself by doing simple and natural exercises supported by breathing. Asahi is also a psychophysical form of exercise that allows the body to relax and calm the mind."^[12]

Efficacy

There is limited scientific evidence of the efficacy of Asahi on the static and dynamic balance of the elderly, from a 12-week study of 11 individuals over the age of 65 conducted by physical therapy students in a graduate program at JAMK University of Applied Sciences in 2016.^[13]

References

^ Klemola, Timo (2004). Taidon filosofia - filosofin taito [citation]. Tampere University Press. Retrieved 3 April 2026. ... previous studies ... have highlighted the significance of the learner experience as a basis for teaching (Dewey 1938; Klemola, 2004; Piirainen, 2006). Paying attention to bodily movement sensations may thus offer opportunities for experiences and learning (Klemola, 2004). (as cited in a 2023 journal article)
^ Klemola, Timo (2013). Mindfulness: tietoisuuden harjoittamisen taito (the art of practicing awareness). Docendo. ISBN 9789525912746.
^ Mähönen, Yrjö (2024). "Dr. Mähönen, A Developer of the Finnish Wellness Practice Asahi tells of his own rehabilitation". Retrieved 3 April 2026.
^ "The History of Asahi". Retrieved 3 April 2026.
^ "Asahi Nordic". Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
^ "We are your Asahi Instructors Around the World". Retrieved 3 April 2026.
^ Warfield, Baihly (August 2, 2025). "Finnish wellness through ASAHI". WDIO. Retrieved 3 April 2026. Vainio said the first time she taught ASAHI at FinnFest, 80 people showed up. The next day, there were 150. Eventually, her class had to move into the DECC ballroom to accommodate the interest. "It's like Finnish design, you can say that it's simple, there's no frills about it, it's very practical, it's very useful," she said. "And the Finns themselves don't even know how to advertise it."
^ "New belt values for Helsinki karate club! (Uusia vyöarvoja Helsingin karateklubille!)". Helsinki Karate Club (Helsingin karateklubi ry). 21 June 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
^ "Asahin periaatteita (Asahi Principles)". Asahi Health. 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
^ Jalamo, Ilpo; Mähönen, Yrjö (2022). Asahi: The Nordic Health Practice. Amazon Books on Demand. ISBN 978-952-80-6886-0.
^ "Asahi is a Nordic Health PracticeAsahi – a fitness program that cares for your body and mind". Asahi Nordic Institute Ltd. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
^ "ASAHI: Lisää energiaa arjen keskelle". Asahi Keijo Mikkonen oy/KMM Health. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
^ Laukkanen, Katrina; Virtanen, Emma (2016). Asahin vaikutukset ikääntyneiden staattiseen ja dynaamiseen tasapainoon. JAMK.