The Practice
Yoga Bou is a quietly powerful tool, co-invented in the late 2000s by Japanese yoga teacher Michiko Minegishi and YogaWorks Japan.
Its origins are humble and heartfelt - born from a moment of care for an elderly student with limited shoulder mobility. Using a simple stick as support, Michiko discovered that when the body is given something trustworthy to lean into, it begins to open in its own time. From this insight, the Yoga Bou emerged as a refined companion for practice, supporting mobility, alignment, balance, and strength.
In a world shaped by daily habits, screens, and constant doing, we often lose our sense of where our bodies are in space. Postures may feel unstable or effortful. The Yoga Bou restores this connection by awakening proprioception, gently guiding the body home to its natural alignment as we lean, soften, and open - finding freedom where there was once restriction.
Unlike props that ask us to grip or control, the Yoga Bou invites surrender. It teaches us to trust, to release excess effort, and to allow the body to unfold rather than be forced.
Benefits
With its subtle weight, the Yoga Bou quietly builds strength, especially through the shoulders and upper body, while increasing mobility in the shoulders, upper back, and hips.
Truly one of a kind, there is no other prop that offers the same blend of support, challenge, and awareness.
It is especially nourishing for those who:
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Spend long hours at desks, on phones or computers
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Drive regularly
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Carry babies or children
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Exercise repetitively
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Hold stress in the shoulders, back, and hips
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Adaptable and inclusive, the Yoga Bou can be lengthened or shortened, practiced seated on the floor, on a chair, or standing - meeting each body where it is.
Above all, it reminds us that softness creates space, and ease leads to strength. As awareness deepens, confidence grows, trust in the body returns, and movement becomes not just something we do, but something we truly feel.
Course Details
Limited Edition Practice Series
Here at Sarvanga we offer small group (maximum 8 participants) Yoga Bou courses.
This limited series allows space to build familiarity with the Bou over time. Working progressively across several weeks, students are supported to deepen awareness, refine alignment, and experience the cumulative effects of the practice.
No previous experience is required.
See upcoming course dates below.
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Meet Greta
"I’ve been practicing yoga since 2005 and teaching since 2011, guided by a quiet curiosity about the body, the breath, and the spaces in between. My path has woven through traditions such as Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Therapy, Accessible Yoga, Myofascial Release, and subtle energy work, with each experience deepening my listening rather than adding something to prove; in 2024, I completed my Advanced Yoga Bou training, drawn to practices that invite softness, trust, and embodied awareness.
I teach the way I live - sometimes with movement, sometimes with stillness - because both hold wisdom. I believe yoga is for everybody, and every body, and through mindful movement and conscious rest we reconnect with inner wisdom and remember who we are beneath habit and noise. My intention is to create spaces where students feel grounded and seen, guided into a deeper exploration of themselves, and supported as they unfold, layer by layer, in their own time."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience?
No experience needed. This course is designed for complete beginners.
Can I miss a session?
We recommend attending each week to maintain progress, but don't stress if you miss one - you'll soon catch up.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes, water bottle and an open mind. Mats and props provided.
Do I need my own Bou (stick)?
No, all props, including the Bou, will be provided!