In 1998 yoga became Jo Ichihara’s passion.  She decided to travel to the U.S., Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, England, Taipei, Japan, and India in search of a greater understanding of yoga.   Jo has studied yoga with many great gurus such as Baba Hari Das, Emil Wendel, Manju Jois, Sharath Rangaswamy, Mark & Joanne Darby, Nancy Gilgoff, John Scott, Anthony “Prem” Carlisi, David Swenson, Ken Harakuma, Julie Martin, Kranti, Kino McGregor, Tarik, Tim Miller and many more. In 2003 she opened her first yoga studio in Saipan, and in 2005 she was given the opportunity to teach yoga in Indonesia and Singapore.

In 2016 Jo was diagnosed with Stage 3B Lung Cancer (Genetic mutation) and In 2019 recurrence Stage 4, Mets to the brain. She believes that Ashtanga vinyasa has been one of the main factors in her survival. Jo has continued her Ashtanga vinyasa practice and has evolved to another level of patients and humility as she continues her battle with Cancer.

Her philosophy and understanding of yoga has its foundations from her training with Baba Hari Das at Mount Madonna Center and her physically intense teaching style is strongly influenced by Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.

Although Jo teaches a very physically challenging yoga class, she is compassionate toward all students.  When starting Jo’s class, students are reminded to discover their own physical limitations and to respect their current state of fitness by learning to surrender and take a break.  

Jo has received her instructor certifications through Purple Valley Center in India, Mount Madonna Center in California, Manju Jois in Maui, Ashtanga Yoga Center - Tim Miller in California and Elements Within in Hawaii, and Radi8 Hot Yoga in Arizona.  She is also registered by Yoga Alliance to certify teachers(E-RYT). Yogachill is an approved Yoga Alliance 200 hr Registered Yoga School (RYS).