Asahi for bicyclists and skiers

Emily Heikkinen came to Finland for a family reunion and did B-level Asahi training and Asahi Walking certification on the same trip.

Emily and Asahi Developer Dr. Yrjö Mähönen toasting at Emily's B-level graduation with non-alcoholic champagne

My trip to Finland this summer was more than I could have hoped for. I started my travels from the United States. I live in Vail, Colorado. My motivation was a family reunion that was held in Helsinki on June 23, 2026. My great-grandparents on my father’s side immigrated to the United States, settling in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

There, they started a new adventure on a small dairy farm. I grew up spending summers at the cottage my great-grandparents built in 1930. It was a traditional Finnish cottage on a lake with a sauna, no electricity or running water. I was very excited to experience Finnish culture, given my upbringing.

"I WAS THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO GO TO TURKU, FINLAND FOR ASAHI B-LEVEL TRAINING: 'STUDY ASAHI IN FINLAND 2026' "

When I found out from Margaret Vainio that I was able to take my Asahi Level B in Turku, I was thrilled. I wasn’t sure it was going to work, but things fell into place. This would be the best opportunity to progress my Asahi in Finland!

Margaret's sister, Carol Curtis, was my C-Level instructor in Marquette, MI, in the fall of 2025. Carol is an awesome teacher and person. I was lucky to have her for my certification.

I arrived at Hotel Kakola, where the group was staying. It was fun to see the ladies that I had met in Marquette last summer, who also traveled to Turku for the A and A1 course. We were a group of five.

Emily, Diane Tschirgi, Naomi Kauppi, Alison Booth, Ann Constance

Each morning started with Asahi practice in a nearby park. We then would move inside to a classroom for lecture and more Asahi practice. Risto Lehto and Margaret Vainio were our instructors.

Emily, Margaret, Risto, Dr. Alison Booth, Ann Constance, & Naomi Kauppi

Immersing myself in Asahi for consistent days in a row had a very profound effect on me. There were a couple of days that we really dove deep into the practice. I need consistency and repetition in order to get more proficient and remember the sequence! My overall experience was truly wonderful. I am so excited to share Asahi Nordic Health Practice and the benefits that go along with it. I have already shared with family and friends.

"ASAHI WALKING TRAINING IN LOHJA "

We left Turku for Lohja Resort and Spa, where most of us from the Asahi class participated in the Asahi Walking course with Tiina Arrankoski. She is the founder of Asahi Walking. The course was two days. We did a lecture inside, then practiced outside on the lawn, in between rainstorms!

Tiina Arrankoski's first Asahi Walking Course July 3-4, 2026

It was a very intensive course and lots to squeeze in over a couple of days. Tiina is a fabulous instructor. I am looking forward to incorporating Asahi practice with the walking aspect of it.

THE SAIMAA CYCLE TOUR

The last weekend I was in Finland, I participated in the Saimaa Cycle tour. A 300km road bike event over the midsummer sun. I rode with two Finnish friends who talked me into doing the ride. We rode through the night and into the evening of the next day.

Emily and her friend after completing the 300km bicycle tour around Lake Saimaa.

Whenever we got off our bikes, Asahi was a must! I did lots of neck and back openers. I felt it helped me physically and mentally during so many long hours on the bike.

My current profession is ski instruction. I have been a professional ski instructor at Vail Resorts for 29 ski seasons. I worked as a mountain bike guide also for many years. Jobs like that require the body to be in good shape. I have found that Asahi has helped open the body and helped my recovery after a day on the slopes.

In closing, I highly recommend traveling internationally for an Asahi destination course.

Finland is a very unique country. My whole experience was very memorable and perhaps life-changing.

Categories: : Asahi and Finnish Sisu, Asahi and the Competitive Athlete, Asahi for people of Finnish descent, Asahi teachers' close-ups, Finland