Without you guys, I could never have come to the path I am in right now. Thank you all for practicing and sharing your energy with me.
May our journey continue...
Love you all!! --- Saiko
Testimonials from English speaking practitioners
It seems to me that with the increased Westernization of many of our internal practices be they Yoga, Tai Chi or another, the use of words and dialogue has become more prevalent in the communication of principals and techniques. Yet, so much of true learning comes in a place of no words, of simply experience and then insight. Consequently, I fear there is a risk of loss when teachers, students & systems rely too much on words. I feel however that Saiko is a rare teacher in this area. She has an uncanny capacity to modulate her use of words, using them not as an end but as a tool. Being so skilled, she expertly conveys the deeper essences of practice – those that are normally found only in silence. When I take her classes, even in a dialogue based system such as Bikram, I am able to experience the meditative state. (As well as the strong physical one!) I think a teacher can only do that when they themselves focus on their own practice in this deep, vital way. This is very evident with Saiko as practitioner, teacher and human being.
---Kim Ivy
Founder, Embrace The Moon Taijiquan & Qigong
Practitioner of Bikram & Power Yoga
Thank you, your guidance in yoga and meditation are helping me find my path to enlightenment. You know my work and it is very stressful - on Friday a colleague told me how calm I have become in these stressful situations. I know this has everything to do with my practice!! Thank you so much.
Blessings.
---Beth M.
" 'Equanimity' is the word I would choose to describe Saiko's teaching style and the effect of me coming out of her class. It's a blend of peace and power. Accepting and yet challenging. We sweat, we work hard, and yet we stay calm and content. Saiko is truly gifted and able. Her voice is calm, soothing but firm. I love Saiko as a wonderful yoga teacher, and a great friend.
Thank you very much for your guidance, Saiko, and for reminding us of the most basic but important things we tend to ignore in our busy life."
--- Ann Nelson
Practicing yoga over 3 years; her teachers include Rod Stryker, Ana Forrest, Baron Baptiste and Desireé Rumbaugh.
Master Saiko,
In my two and a half years of praciticing Yoga, I have practiced with numerous instructors and find you to be my greatest and most rewarding teacher and mentor to my Yoga practice. I remember the time when I made fun of people practicing Yoga because of my lack of knowledge and arrogance!
Today I'm a different person...My life has changed tremondously because of people like you helping and guiding people like me to find ourselves through innner beauty and not just by what we see on the outside!
Your student always,
--Simon
Saiko Flack's gentle and loving yet whitty spirit lends a unique approach to teaching yoga. Taking a class or becoming a member of her silent cult will no doubt be rewarding. Taken from the scripts of Robert, the ZenMaster, Saiko's soft yet direct voice allows you a flowing bikram class that allows you to get deep blood flow into your athletic-worn muscles while challenging you to not you not crack up laughing with her humor only to come to the conclusion that SaikoYoga is like life- it's as peaceful and serious as you want to make it ... and what you put into it is what you get out of it. :-) A true paradox of being sweaty and hot yet at peace.
--- Steve Bauer, Bikram Yoga Practitioner, Seattle
I highly recommend Saiko’s classes. She is a wonderful teacher and caring person. Her style of teaching has breadth to it for both beginners and advanced. I have injuries in my knees, lower back, and neck, and have worked with other instructors that actually resulted in creating injuries. Saiko’s style is very careful and she gives her attention to every person in the room. She creates a wonderful atmosphere of gentle focus and careful energy and helps you get the most you are able to on the day you are there; always attentive to your present being. During my 4 years of practice I feel I healed the most, learned, and advanced my skills the most with Saiko.
--- Ron; Yoga and Taichi practitioner, Sammamish, WA
Saiko~
I wanted to start off saying after reading the article, I felt more wealthy with blessings that I have you as a friend and mentor in my life(with watery eyes, you know how sensitive I can be,ha,ha).You hit it right on the nail; the culture that we are living in can be very toxic to one's well being. Yoga and meditation is a powerful defense against the toxic elements of our society.
I thank you and I'm grateful for your suport. Lots of love, --Marva-lous :-)
Saiko,
Your writing made me recall something I heard a long time ago that went something like this – “When two people meet six people are present. Each person is represented by three different personalities, who we are, who we want to be and who we should be.” For me this statement seems to be true and the strongest personality without a doubt is “who I should be”. It is through yoga that I spend time and energy focusing on “who I am” and hoping that one day all three personalities will merge and become one and I will simply be “who I am”. I thank you for your commitment to yoga. The time and energy you put into your classes and their preparation is truly appreciated.
---Gordon
I have known Saiko from her first Bikram Yoga classes. I was a beginning certified instructor. She was already familiar with other styles of yoga as a practitioner -- most notably in the style of Bryan Kest. When I learned that Saiko was going to the Bikram yoga training, I was so excited for her. I recognized her as special from the start. Before she left, we had begun a dialog about teacher topics that continues now on a regular basis. When she came back, I practiced her classes. When I later went to Vinyasa training in the style of Baron Baptiste, she took my early classes. I took her first class Power Yoga class after she went to a teachers' training with Bryan Kest. We bring each other into studios and tend to like to substitute for each other when the need arises. In short, our paths in yoga and in teaching have been very intertwined. There is no one's class I would rather take then hers. I feel that I have so much to gain as both a practitioner and a fellow instructor by showing up to Saiko's class. So, I tend to follow her around. :-) I never know when something might catch on in my body or in my mind in her class -- the elusive-to-me side Crow -- or a piece of dialog about having all the time in the world as children because we were then living in the moment. Or maybe my day wasn't the best and I'm looking to decompress in a supportive environment. Saiko possesses a fantastic combination of authenticity and compassion that she is able to effectively share with her students. Also, she has such a dedication to continued learning and excellence -- learning that she will turn around and then deliver to her students in a way that is so accessible. I find this inspiring as well. One warning though -- I wouldn't tell her the pose that you DON'T like and don't want to do as I have offhandedly done. It's the one you need the most, so she'd be negligent not to provide it for you in practice. ;-) Thank you Saiko for your teaching and for your friendship
-- Audrey Benton
Certified Bikram Yoga Instructor & Baron Baptiste Trained in Power Vinyasa
I haven't seen you for a while here on the Eastside, and I miss your focused class concentration. You have always let the class flow, helping new students while at the same time allowing the class as a whole to enjoy the pace and concentration of their individual journey. Everyone has their own style, but I found myself most challenged and refreshed when I learned from you in your class. ---Pierce Scranton Jr. M.D., Bikram Yoga Practitioner
I have been practicing Bikram yoga since 2003 and have taken a number of
Saiko's classes since 2004 whenever she comes to the Eastside. I also have
had a pleasure of organizing numerous yoga seminars with her for the
Japanese community in Seattle in the past few years. Her committment to yoga
and healthy life inspires and motivates not only myself but also the whole
community. --Takumi
"Eric! There's a GREAT new teacher - her name is Saiko, and you've to take her class as soon as you can!" And so began my love affair with Saiko Flack. My friend was right - Saiko IS a fantastic teacher, mainly because she is such a fantastic human being.
--- Eric Page, a long time Bikram Yoga practitioner
Saiko's class is always energetic and she can always create the flow and rhythm that is just right for the class. She always challenges the experienced yogi for edging each of the asana, and always encourages new yogi for trying new things. After the class, I always have one idea in mind: "wow, that's quite a class!
--- Shau Phang, Bikram and Vinyasa flow yoga practitioner
Saiko,
I have watched your enthusiasm and committment to yoga and meditation and admire this very much. You have encouraged me to begin yoga practice myself and starting this January I now arise each day by 4:30 AM to do 1 hour of yoga before leaving for work. My days are very full with a tremendously challenging and important work in a community mental health center. Yoga allows me to start my day centered and clear, relaxed and refreshed and ready for whatever the day may offer. The physical benefits are amazing already and include: increased flexibility, relaxed muscles, more energy, and the beginnings of a more toned body. This is a good thing for this 60 year old woman! Thank you for your inspiration and for who you are. Much love, -- your mother-in-law, Cheryl
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