What is it that connects our mind and body and brings us peace of mind?

Delicious food, healthy living, spending time with loved ones... Everyone has their own way of finding balance. We will share how various women think about "dealing with their mind and body" through their lives and careers.

In the fifth episode, we have Riko Ikeda, who has many different roles including model and yoga teacher, and AKO, who has the unique titles of artist and poultry farmer. The two, who are bound by a special bond like sisters, talk about the story of carving out your own path in life.

Riko Ikeda 's Instagram can be found here

AKO's Instagram can be found here

-First , please tell us about your careers and activities. Riko has a long history as both a yoga instructor and model, but what motivated you to start doing both?

 

Riko: It all started with rhythmic gymnastics. I started at age 5 and aimed to become an Olympic athlete in the future, and that was the focus of my life. I was immersed in rhythmic gymnastics every day, but when I was in high school I suffered a stress fracture in my knee and had to give up competing. Rhythmic gymnastics was everything to me, so at 15 I felt like my life was over and had nothing left. However, during my rehabilitation I discovered yoga, and it was a turning point in my life.

Through yoga, I learned the importance of taking time to face myself, and I felt that this was something I had to share, so I qualified as a yoga instructor at the age of 19. At the time, yoga wasn't as popular as it is now, and the image I had was that there were moms who loved yoga at mommy friend gatherings.

But yoga is packed with elements that are especially essential for athletes. It's not just about using your body, but also about regulating your breathing, focusing on your mind, and taking time to look after yourself. If I had known these things when I was still active, I probably could have prevented injuries and performed better, and I really regret not doing so. That's why I felt a strong desire to pass this on to young athletes like myself, and now I teach yoga to young athletes and beginners, with the motto "Yoga that leaves no one behind."

I started modeling when I was in high school. I was scouted to be a reader model in a place with a Glico sign, a lively place similar to Harajuku in the Kansai region. The first agency I joined was small, but I gained a lot of experience, including moving to Tokyo, and have come to where I am today. I've been modeling for about 17 years now. Looking back, it's actually been a surprisingly long time (laughs).

AKO: I moved to Tokyo from Saga when I was 18 with the aim of becoming an actor. For a while I went back and forth between Tokyo and my hometown, searching for what I wanted to do, but when I was 27, I suddenly collapsed due to a disease called "cerebral arteriovenous malformation," which affects 1 in 100,000 people.

After a 15-hour surgery and extensive rehabilitation, I overcame the paralysis on my right side. I have now recovered enough to drive, but I still have "higher brain dysfunction." There are still many situations where things are not as they were before, but I think my mindset and the way I deal with problems have changed significantly.

After that, rather than returning to my hometown or Tokyo, I chose to base my life in Takigahara Town, deep in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture. It was a very stylish community, and I thought I could coexist with nature here. There, I began studying poultry farming and washi paper. I feel comfortable living within a cycle, using local food waste to feed the chickens and gathering the raw materials for washi paper myself in the mountains. My current creative practice revolves around using all five senses to experience materials and being inspired by nature to create my works. My style leans towards contemporary art, but recently I've found it interesting to mix traditional elements into it.

- I heard that AKO and Riko are very close. How did you two meet?

 

Riko: We first met in a shared house in Tokyo. I moved to Tokyo for work at age 24 and moved into a women-only shared house. There were about 10 of us living in a three-story house. There were rows of bunk beds, so it was pretty crowded (laughs). 

AKO: That's right (laughs). But it was a beautiful house. The kitchen had the latest equipment, it was easy to cook, and it was really comfortable. I moved in first, and Riko moved in later, and I was so nervous to talk to her because I thought, "Wow, what a cute girl!" (laughs).

Riko: AKO-chan had a very vigilant gaze, like a cat (laughs). At first I thought she was a little shy, but when I talked to her I found her to be very cheerful and interesting. We lived together for about a year, and it was a very intense time.

AKO: It's because of that time that I have the lifestyle and creative activities I have today. I also think that if I hadn't met Riko in that share house, I might not be the person I am today.

Riko: That's so true. It's been over 10 years since then, but I'm still in touch with the people I shared the house with back then, and we're more than friends, but less than family. It's great to have a relationship where you can just be yourself.

- Listening to you two talk, it feels like you two have a bond like real sisters. Did Riko develop her current work style because she came to Tokyo?

 

Riko: Yes, I think that moving to Tokyo has really broadened the scope of my activities. What I value is "yoga that doesn't leave anyone behind." When you practice yoga, you often hear people say, "I can't do it because my body is too stiff," or "I can't keep up with the movements, so it's not for me." But I've had many experiences of being left behind, not just in yoga, so I didn't want to leave anyone behind. That's why, even in lessons, I carefully explain things to beginners and prepare the next challenge for those who can do it. I try to make sure that everyone can enjoy the class at their own pace, so that even advanced students don't get bored and beginners can participate with confidence.

I qualified as a yoga instructor at the age of 19, and over the past 15 years, I have continued my work while feeling that the times are slowly changing. Having worked with Nike as an Asian representative, I feel that I have been able to contribute, even in a small way, to the trend of yoga being accepted as a part of sports in Japan.

 

- When do you draw your works, AKO?

AKO: In the past, I would draw when I was worried or feeling uneasy, which was my "dark side," to release my negative feelings. But now, I feel like there are more and more moments in my life when I naturally feel like drawing.

I've always loved drawing women's faces and bodies, but recently I started thinking about why I draw those kinds of pictures, and I realized that all animals are born from women, and I'm drawn to their origins as living creatures.

Now that I raise chickens and live in nature, when I look at animals I often think, "Living things are fascinating." When I see the activities of life that I cannot do myself, such as laying eggs, I naturally think, "Ah, I want to turn this into a work of art."

- I think it's wonderful that you both live honestly according to your heart, and have an unpretentious attitude. I feel like you're similar in that respect. What do you think a state of balance between mind and body is?

 

Riko: I think it's "being in a state where you can take care of yourself." When you're not feeling well mentally or physically, it's often because you're neglecting yourself or pushing yourself too hard. So, on the other hand, if you notice that you're feeling a little tired lately or that your feet are swollen today, then you're okay! I often say this in my lessons, but it's important not to miss the signs from your body. For example, if you massage the soles of your feet, you can observe your condition and notice if you feel pain here or if your feet are cold today. By taking small steps like this, you can prevent illness and physical and mental discomfort before they occur.

AKO: Similar to what Riko said, I feel my mind and body are calm and stable when I'm kind to myself, the natural environment, and animals. I live in a satoyama (rural village), so a gentle rhythm naturally flows into my life. Getting up early, tending to chickens, cutting down trees in the mountains, making paper, and making things from raw materials all by myself feels like my mind and body are naturally in balance. Lately, I've been making my own pickled plums, miso, and shio koji, and working in the rice fields with an elderly man in my neighborhood. In these everyday situations, I feel like my body and mind are being healed. When I lived in the city, I often had worries, but in my 30s, I realized the importance of "forgiveness." I sometimes struggled with environments where I didn't fit in and with maintaining distance from others, but I learned to accept myself, even when I was that way. My illness has made me try not to put too much strain on my brain, and I believe "forgiveness" is extremely important.

Riko: We are basically in good physical and mental condition. But when AKO got sick, it was the first time I couldn't eat (laughs).

AKO: That's true (laughs). But Riko-chan was always positive throughout my battle with illness, so I was able to get through the tough times.

- You really do have a strong bond. So, you two seem to have such a good balance, but what about during your period, when things tend to be unstable? Ikeda-san has been exercising since she was a child, but have you ever had any trouble with your period?

 

Riko: My period symptoms aren't that severe, but the most annoying thing is leaking menstrual blood. Yoga involves a variety of poses, including splits, so leaking is inevitable, and to be honest, I'm used to it (laughs). But it's during my period that it's so important to open my hip joints and get the lymph flowing.

 

- What about you, AKO?

AKO: I have a fairly heavy flow, so I leak a lot. Also, chemical materials don't really suit my skin, so I've tried using organic cotton pads, and I've even started to think, "Maybe there's a shape and size that suits me better," so I've even tried making my own cloth pads.

Also, this is a habit that is unique to me, but I try to remove my sanitary napkin as early as possible. I had heard that in the past, people didn't have sanitary napkins, so they controlled the timing of their excretion themselves, and when I learned that, I thought, "That's amazing," and "I want to try that."

Of course, I use sanitary napkins as usual, and I rely on such tools in my daily life, but when the flow becomes lighter in the latter half of my period, I try going without sanitary napkins for a bit.

- What did you think when you actually touched angelite ?

 

Riko: The fabric is thin, so it won't show through your bottoms, which is great! I'm really looking forward to wearing them, and if I can wear them while wearing leggings, it will be really helpful for my job. There are a lot of difficulties during menstruation, so it's nice to have an item that can make it a little more comfortable. Also, the sheerness of the lace is stylish, so it might be stylish to show it off from under your leggings!

AKO: I was surprised by the seamless construction. It's very stretchy, so it doesn't seem like it will constrict the lower abdomen, and I can expect it to be comfortable to wear without any stress.

 

- You two have already been involved in a variety of activities, but what kind of activities do you want to do in the future?

 

Riko: I would like to continue to broaden the entrance of yoga to various people. For fashion-loving people, I might suggest, "Why not try yoga while enjoying this kind of fashion?", and for young people, I might tell them, "Yoga is actually fun." Staying healthy is the most important thing in life, and I want yoga to be the catalyst for that. I would be happy if, through my activities, people remember to give yoga a try when something happens. Recently, I've also started uploading yoga videos to YouTube. I'm not very good at using a computer, but I want to show people that even people who aren't good with machines can do it, so I edit the videos myself and upload them. If what I do makes people think, even just a little, that yoga looks fun or that I could do it, that would make me happiest!

AKO: I currently live deep in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, but I plan to move even further to a marginal village. I want to continue making things while maintaining a traditional lifestyle of tending a small field and surrounded by fermented foods that I prepare myself. I also want to exhibit my work in various places, such as Tokyo and my hometown of Kyushu. I hope to be able to connect people through my work, transcending different cultures and values. Above all, I want to live a healthy and fulfilling life. That's the most important thing.

Riko: That's right! I also want to use my natural communication skills to spread the word about talented people like AKO. I've achieved my own dreams, so now I'm in a period where I'm gathering my next dreams. So I want to meet a variety of people, connect their talents, and create opportunities for them to spread.

Item Introduction

Your favorite everyday clothes, fashion you'd enjoy without worrying about leaking during your period

 

Riko: I want to look stylish, so I chose leggings that reach above my belly button. If I don't mind leaking, I can create a tight-fitting style! The clothes and shoes are from Nike, and both are made from sustainable materials. The tabi-style sneakers are my favorite pair, made from recycled materials. The jacket is a Comme des Garçons from the 90s, and after talking a bit with AKO-chan, I decided to style it with a jacket .

AKO: I'm concerned about abdominal bloating during my period, so I like looser styles that allow me to adjust the waist. I also like natural fibers for parts that come into contact with the skin, so I'm particular about the materials. Shopping is like voting, so recently I've started to want to use items that are carefully made by Japanese artisans for a long time.

The T-shirt is KINOTTO. The pants are from ARGUE, a brand from Kanagawa. The jacket is TOTEME. The shoes are Salomon from 2000, and they can be used to walk on snow deep in the mountains. The rubber sometimes cracks, but I keep repairing them and using them carefully.