The Heart of JapaYoga

Kelli Kanashiro (affectionately known as “Japa” by friends and clients) is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), experienced Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher and Educator (YACEP, E-RYT500), Ayurveda-oriented, and Reiki Master. She is the founder of JapaYoga Healing Therapies, where she integrates somatic awareness, yoga-based practices, mindfulness, and spiritual traditions in her work supporting personal growth, self-inquiry, and embodied awareness.

Born in South America and raised within a multicultural Japanese and Lebanese heritage, Kelli’s personal and professional journey has been shaped by cultural diversity, adaptability, and a long-standing interest in human experience, resilience, and meaning-making.

For two decades, she worked in corporate and leadership environments, including managing major international projects such as the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. During this time, she became increasingly aware of the impact of chronic stress on well-being, which led her to explore practices that support balance, presence, and sustainable ways of living.

Since 2012, Kelli has studied the philosophy of yoga extensively and, in 2016, became a Kriyaban through the Self-Realization Fellowship lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda. This practice continues to inform her personal development and compassionate way of relating to others.

Her work is informed by a trauma-sensitive, body-centred perspective that emphasizes self-awareness, regulation, and present-moment experience. She supports clients in developing tools for grounding, reflection, and reconnection with their own inner resources, especially during periods of stress, transition, or personal exploration.

Kelli’s background includes a range of studies in spiritual and energy-based practices, and other exploratory approaches to inner awareness and personal development. These practices reflect her ongoing interest in consciousness and subjective well-being.

She is also a Certified Life Coach (December 2024) and have completed professional training in counselling from Rhodes Wellness College (May 2026), which continues to deepen her understanding of emotional processes, human development, and compassionate client support. She is currently candidate and provisional member of professional counselling associations in Canada as part of her ongoing professional development.

Her approach is intuitive, trauma-informed, and client-centred. She supports individuals who may be navigating stress, life transitions, emotional challenges, or periods of spiritual exploration. Her intention is to offer a grounded and supportive space where clients can reflect, gain clarity, and reconnect with their own inner resources.

Kelli offers individual and personalized online and in-person Yoga Therapy sessions in the Greater Vancouver Area and she also facilitates therapeutic group yoga classes, meditation practices, retreats and workshops focused on self-inquiry, mindfulness, and personal growth.

Through JapaYoga Healing Therapies and community initiatives such as SEN Brasil (Spiritual Emergence Network in Brazil) and the I National Symposium on Spiritual Emergency & Mental Health, Kelli contributes to conversations around holistic well-being, spiritual emergence, and integrative approaches to personal development and self-inquiry.

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Accreditation

Certifications & Trainings

 

Professional Counsellor Diploma

Rhodes Wellness College (Vancouver, Canada – Completion: May 2026)

Life Coach Certificate

Rhodes Wellness College (Vancouver, Canada – December 2024)

C-IAYT Trauma-Informed Accredited Yoga Therapist

800-hour Advanced Yoga Therapy Program – VSOHA, Vancouver School of Healing Arts (Vancouver, Canada – Feb 2023)

Shamanic Reiki Master (Level 3)

Soul of Yoga (California, USA – Feb 2023)

Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (RYT-500)

300-hour Program – VSOHA, Vancouver School of Healing Arts (Vancouver, Canada – May 2020)

Foundations of Yoga Therapy – Certified Therapeutic Yoga Teacher

300-hour Program – VSOHA, Vancouver School of Healing Arts (Vancouver, Canada – Jan 2020)

Yoga Teacher Training (RYT-200)

200-hour Program – Soul of Yoga (California, USA – Aug 2019)

First Aid + CPR–C/AED Certification

Red Cross Training (Vancouver, Canada – Oct 2022)

Integrative & Holistic Therapies 

Therapeutic, Body-Centred & Trauma-Informed Approach

Yoga Therapy (1:1)

Hatha + Chair + Restorative + Yin + Yoga Nidra

Guided Meditation

Reiki + Energy Balancing Sessions

Experience

Coaching Sessions (since 2025)

Yoga Retreats & Workshops (since 2023)

Yoga Therapy - 1:1 sessions (since 2023)

Reiki & Energy Balancing (since 2023)

Corporate Workshops Facilitator (YMCA, LivingWell, Innergy Yoga, others (since 2020)

Hatha + Vinyasa +Yin + Chair Yoga - Public classes at Yoga Generation, RMSS, YMCA (since 2019)​

Education Background

Professional Counselling Diploma - Rhodes Wellness College (2026, Vancouver, CA)

Master's degree in Adm. Science & Leadership - FDU Fairleigh Dickinson University (2018, Vancouver, CA)

Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing - FGV Fundação Getúlio Vargas (2003, Rio de Janeiro, BR)

 

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What people are saying about JapaYoga Offerings

  • Daniela T.
    Doing Yoga Therapy with Kelli allowed me to reconnect with my body and a very deep and comfortable way. It’s a new beginning that has positively affected my mental health and well-being. Kelli is a wonderful human being able to guide you through this journey with such kindness. I highly recommend doing yoga Therapy with Kelli to reconnect with your true self.
    Daniela T.
  • Luana S.
    My experience was extremely important at this moment of my life! I suffered from panic attacks and after this practice I can control myself not to panic anymore! It was wonderful!!!
    Luana S.
  • Mariana F.
    Kelli is very tuned and sensitive to the needs of the client and I could see significant improvement in my well being. I love the work that treats body and mind as a whole.
    Mariana F.
  • Taissa V.
    As a person that was already doing conventional therapy for over an year (with one of the main focus being immigration-related issues), yoga therapy was able to amplify therapeutic benefits by allowing me to gain the skills to understand and provide what my body and mind needs. I felt like my progress with conventional therapy was stagnated and yoga helped me realize that safety is the number one “problem” in my life. Through the yoga therapy sessions Kelli provided, I was able to establish safety as a key aspect of my continuous healing process, as well as learning healthy coping mechanisms (breathing exercises, affirmations, the science behind body & mid connection) to help me deal with this delicate and stressful situation that is immigration. That way, I’m able to regulate my body (and anxiety) while I tap into other triggers and traumas through conventional therapy, optimizing all aspects.
    Taissa V.
  • Bruna S.
    Kelli is a blessing! It's impossible not to get better after a session with Kelli. Breathing exercises and movements that move your body and rest your mind! I've been doing yoga with her for a while and I can't thank her enough for such a great change in my life. After a while, you see that she does not make only your day better, but your weeks and months! Your life improves incredibly!
    Bruna S.
  • Roberta M.
    Kelli is absolutely passionate about yoga as therapy. She’s not just a traditional yoga teacher, she uses every yoga and meditation tool to deeply bring you back into your soul and mind, holistically. I've had wonderful experiences with Kelli’s guidance that reflect positively into my daily routine and life. I definitely recommend it!
    Roberta M.
  • Fernanda F.
    2020 was a challenge apart, and I don’t know how I could get through without Kelli. She is a blessing in my life! I was struggling with my feelings, passing through a very difficult time with my family plus a risky pregnancy... all at once was like a bomb for me, but Kelli with all her knowledge and gift could guide me to find my way to get out of my crisis and not only that, to find my safe zone so I could always come back when a future difficulty shows up. This therapy mixed with yoga philosophy and exercises was the balance I needed to cure myself, to better understand people around me, to be grateful even when things go wrong, to love myself and be proud of how brave I am... even when I was in fear... during our process, I was able to live a true miracle! I have no doubt that if it wasn’t for her teachings I could not have enriched my faith enough to be able to receive that bless. Thank you so much, Kelli ❤️🙏
    Fernanda F.
  • Hillary M.
    "I have had the opportunity to take both private and group yoga and meditation classes with Kelli. I struggle with anxiety and being in the present moment; however, Kelli is always able to help me relax and tune out the stress and noise around me. After taking a class with Kelli I always leave feeling calmer, more at ease, and ready to handle whatever comes my way. From the moment you walk into one of Kelli's classes, you feel her warm and loving personality. She creates a safe, calm, and caring environment, and her passion for sharing her knowledge of yoga and meditation shines through in every class."
    Hillary M.
  • Cecilia C.
    “I’ve been working with Kelli for some months so far. I was not sure what to expect when we began this incredible journey together. She told me she would give me tools to use on the process of self-healing, but it was so much more! I have discovered a new philosophy that opened my eyes and heart to see the world and myself in a different way. And yes, she gave me tools. Now, I can notice the triggers and properly choose how to respond instead of reacting to them. I know myself better, and I am learning that every experience is worthy. Now I know that I am safe, I am divine, and we all are experiencing a human journey. Thank you, Kelli.”
    Cecilia C.
  • Lisa F.
    "Kelli inspires me, motivates me, supports me, and helps keep me focused. She has shown me a new way to look at life; with more energy, strength and beauty to my body, mind and soul."
    Lisa F.
  • Fernanda M.
    "Kelli's yoga class is one of the most powerful I have ever done. It is always difficult for me to completely embrace the class and keep my mind focused...but Kelli guides me with her energy, with so much nurturing and love that I literally can feel it. It enables me to connect with my inner self truly. It is magical; I don't feel time passing, and in the end, the reward to my mind and body is priceless. Thank you, Kelli, for letting me understand what Yoga can really do to my life! Namaste."
    Fernanda M.
  • Chris P.
    "Had a wonderful surprise with Hatha class today with teacher Kelli! Such a strong and energetic class. For the 1st time I’ve felt myself 100% connected. I also loved the Sanskrit terms that took it to another level. Keep coming for her classes"
    Chris P.
  • Luciana C.
    I've been doing weekly sessions with Kelli for a few months. I must say that her work is incredible. Learning to apply the tools and philosophy of yoga in my life has been transformative. It helped me a lot during difficult times, and it also continues to help me daily. Now, I observe and understand events through a different, much richer perspective. I am extremely grateful for Kelli's work, and I highly recommend it to everyone looking for self-knowledge and personal development.
    Luciana C.
  • Franciele E.
    I started yoga therapy more than a month ago and am loving the results. I have been practicing yoga for over 10 years and at this point in my life that I am living postpartum, the psychological and physical results achieved with yoga have been fantastic. Thank you Kelli for your dedication to "reading me", understanding my needs and directing classes towards a more balanced life.
    Franciele E.
  • Lis L.
    Kelli is the best yoga teacher ever! I have done Yoga in the past and nothing compares to Kelli’s classes. The therapeutic yoga has drastically improved my mind, soul and body. Kelli is an exceptional person, very careful with every little detail. I would recommend her to everyone!!! I will always be grateful for having her in my life!
    Lis L.
  • Adam S.
    “I’ve had a beautiful experience the first time I tried Yoga Therapy with Kelli. She’s very knowledgeable and she really takes time to look at everything properly and with care. Very effective practices and homework given. I feel nurtured every time we have worked together and have something new that I can add to my practice.”
    Adam S.
  • Sam A.
    Kelli is a fantastic yoga instructor! She is so passionate and encouraging about her practice. Highly recommend!
    Sam A.
  • Bruna S.
    Kelly is the best yoga instructor ever! I’ve never seen any other professional so passionate and caring as her. The sessions are great and meaningful, I’ve been doing it two times a week and I always feel better after practicing with her. Yoga with Kelly is the best exercise for the body and mind! I highly recommend it
    Bruna S.
  • Hilary C.
    I found myself not being able to fully experience the benefits of yoga from group classes (taken elsewhere) and thought that it would be beneficial to do some 1:1 classes - that was when I found Kelli! A few sessions in, I found myself learning to approach and accept life in a much healthier way. She has taught me so much about my body in ways that I would have never thought of. With my usual go-go-go mindset, my mind runs a million miles per hour and truthfully, I had doubts that I would be able to meditate. One day, she sat me down and said "I know we did not plan for it but today is the day Hilary, and it will be good" - oh boy was she kidding. I had the time of my life! Keep up the amazing work that you do Kelli!
    Hilary C.
  • Leanne L.
    Recommended by a friend, it came at the perfect time when I was looking for something to help myself refocus and find balance. After my first 6 sessions with Kelli, I am super pleased and will be continuing my practice with her. I have gained so much from Kelli’s guided mediation, therapeutic yoga and the value of having that personal 1:1 has opened a whole new perspective on what it means to practice yoga.
    Leanne L.

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