Mariko Dugay

Mariko discovered yoga in 2001 during a weekend retreat at the Kripalu Center in Massachusetts which sparked a lifelong devotion to yoga, breathwork, and meditation as pathways to resilience, self-awareness, and embodied presence.

Her yoga practice deepened during her time living in Japan, where consistent practice and immersion in holistic living—rooted in the principles of yin and yang, mindful nourishment, and balanced lifestyle practices—shaped her path. During this time, she also studied Reiki, further influencing her integrative and compassionate approach to teaching.

Mariko completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Almaden Yoga in 2017, followed by a 300-hour advanced training at Breathe Together Yoga with Jennifer Prugh, earning her RYT 500 certification in 2020. She continued to expand her healing work through Qigong training at Breathe Together Yoga and is a certified Qigong instructor with the National Qigong Association.

Her teaching blends mindful alignment, breath-centered movement, and subtle energy awareness, inviting students to reconnect with their innate capacity for healing. Mariko encourages authenticity and self-inquiry while infusing her classes with a sense of ease and playfulness.

She has been actively supporting the Japanese community in the Bay Area since becoming a certified yoga teacher. She also offers classes at a senior center, fitness gyms, corporate settings, and a hospital. Mariko is honored to support students of all ages and stages of life in cultivating balance, vitality, and trust in themselves.

She also incorporates mindful tea time into her daily practice, using it as a form of meditation. This simple yet profound ritual supports presence, reflection, and nervous system regulation—an experience she loves to share with her students both on and off the mat.