Testimonials

“My professional development goal this year was to strengthen my skills around working with students in crisis. I attended many workshops on the topic, yet ultimately my weekly mindful sessions with Aiko had the greatest impact in my growth. Our weekly sessions often came at the end of hectic and stressful days, and I relished the opportunity to relax and focus while Aiko led us through amazing sits. Aiko is wonderful about processing the experience with others in a supportive and non-judgmental way. She also effectively supports others through the various barriers or challenges that sometimes arise (such as self-judgment, intrusive thoughts, etc.). The calm and presence of mind that I was able to develop absolutely helped deepen and strengthen my work with students in distress.”

“I was lucky enough to get introduced to mindfulness through Aiko’s after school workshops where we both work. Aiko is so willing to truly listen to what I have to say - she listens to understand, not just respond. I feel that when I am working with Aiko, she is fully engaged and committed to my understanding the concepts she is teaching! I’ve gained a better sense of living in the present, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. I’ve also started learning about my own personal motivations and goals in a metacognitive sense - I feel like I’m living my life much more deliberately than I used to do!”

“Aiko has a lot to offer in this field of study, on many levels, which can open and create avenues for awareness. She has a gift, a comfortableness about her presentation, and genuineness that allows trust. Aiko’s ability to shift, acknowledge, validate, and bring forth credibility to the moment is exceptional. Her approach is organized, well thought out, yet flexible to redirect and meet the new direction a session may take. She listens fully and responds with compassion and gratefulness for the personal thoughts and stories shared by others.”

“Aiko is amazing and I was so glad we found her! She first taught a basic mindfulness class at the library, and then came back and did a four-week series, which was consistently well-attended. It’s rare to have library patrons come back to attend events every week, but for her they did. Her background as a biology teacher comes through, and I found it incredibly helpful in guiding people to understand what we’re doing with various practices. With every mindfulness exercise she is very flexible and open to acknowledging that people may respond to exercises differently and that practices are not one-solution-fits-all. To top it off, her voice offered perfect soothing tones while her attitude was open and welcoming - none of which felt contrived or cliched. Attendees gave great feedback on Aiko and the different sessions, and I’m eager to continue to have her host sessions (and hope to even work with her on such teachings in a professional development capacity).” - Elaine Tai, Adult Services Librarian - Burlingame Library