The World's Only Year-round Outdoor Asahi Class in Lauttasaari, Finland!

Asahi Developer Dr. Yrjö Mähönen has held an outdoor Asahi class for 3 1/2 years straight. Read this 77 year old geriatric specialist's report here!

The Early Days

Finnish experts developed Asahi in 2004, and the first indoor training groups were formed in 2005. The following year, in 2006, the Lauttasaari Sports Center began offering free outdoor sessions every summer at what is called Kasino Beach. These sessions took place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., from early June to the end of August.

I helped lead these sessions every summer whenever I could. There were a few interruptions, though — a paralysis in my left leg and surgery on my right hip kept me away for a couple of summers.

Practicing outdoors in good weather was wonderful, and sometimes dozens of people showed up. According to my old notes, our record was about 60 participants. In the early years, we agreed to cancel sessions whenever it rained.

A Big Change

In the summer of 2022, the beach training took a major turn. That August, I asked: Why should we stop just because summer is over? Everyone agreed — we could easily keep going through the fall. After that, we decided to continue through the winter as well.

Since then, we’ve trained every single Wednesday, regardless of weather or holidays. It’s now been about three and a half years without a single cancellation. I’ve led every session myself. Thanks to regular Asahi practice, I’m in pretty good shape — not bad for someone who’s now 77 years old!

We had to change the training time, though. The old 7 p.m. slot was too dark during the colder months, so we moved it to 5 p.m. That way, people who work can still join us. In winter, the streetlights help us see. Our goal is to train for about 45 minutes, although even 30 minutes of exercise is known to bring full health benefits.

Continuing Strong — No End in Sight

We plan to keep training regularly, with no end date in mind. Weather doesn’t stop us — with the right clothing, we manage just fine in rain, cold, or wind. We’ve certainly experienced all kinds of weather over the years!

The worse the weather, the fewer people show up — but that just makes the situation more amusing. We often laugh about it, and after the session, we head home cold but happy.

In November 2024, we faced one truly awful day — cold, wet, and windy, with rain driving sideways. Only four people joined me that day. With humor and good old Finnish sisu (grit), we lasted a full 25 minutes. Normally, our outdoor sessions run for 45.

By contrast, in August and September 2024, we hit new records — 74 participants on two different Wednesdays! On average, we usually have 30 to 50 people, depending on the weather.

Looking Ahead

This year, Christmas Eve 2025 falls on a Wednesday, so some of the group have asked whether Santa Claus will join the session. I called him up at Korvatunturi (his home in Lapland), and he told me he had once joined an Asahi session at the old Lauttasaari Sports Center — and loved it!

Unfortunately, this year he’ll be far too busy delivering gifts to attend. But he sends his best wishes for a great workout before your Christmas dinner. He also reminded me that New Year’s Eve is on a Wednesday, too!

So — everyone who can, come join us!

A Special Recognition

Inspired by our year-round training, some participants contacted the Lauttasaari Society and nominated me for their annual Cultural Achievement Award. This year, I was honored to receive it — and I’m truly delighted.

– Retired Geriatric and Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Yrjö Mähönen (Dr. "George")

Categories: : Asahi and Finnish Sisu, Asahi and Nature, Asahi as Physical Rehab, Asahi keeps you young, Asahi Nordic for a lifetime, Asahi Nordic for All, Asahi on the Beach, FInnish Happiness