Kia ora and welcome — I’m so glad you’re here.
My name is Mariko Fukui, and I’m the founder of ShimaNami YOGA This space was born from a deep commitment to supporting others in reconnecting — with their bodies, their sense of self-worth, and the wisdom already within them.
I’m a certified TCTSY facilitator and yoga teacher, with a Master’s in Psychology. Originally from Japan, I now call Aotearoa New Zealand home. My work is grounded in trauma-informed principles and shaped by both my cultural heritage and personal healing journey.
The name ShimaNami holds special meaning for me. It refers to the route that connects Shikoku Island — my birthplace — to the rest of Japan. In the same way, I hope each class serves as a gentle bridge: guiding you back to your essence, your inner sense of home.
At ShimaNami YOGA, I offer embodied, inclusive practices for all bodies and identities — both in person and online. Whether you’re navigating trauma or simply seeking a mindful way to move and ground yourself, this is a space where you can honour your own pace, however that looks today.
Each session is guided with care, curiosity, and respect for your unique experience. I believe in the wisdom that lives within each of us — that we are already whole. There is nothing to fix.
Together, we’ll find our way home to the body — gently, with care and curiosity.
Study and Training that Inform How I Hold Space
My path has been guided by a deep curiosity about how we heal, grow, and reconnect with ourselves.
I bring together academic knowledge in psychology and trauma with embodied practices like yoga to support others in a way that is grounded, inclusive, and trauma-informed.
Here is a summary of my formal education and professional training — each step shaping how I hold space with care, presence, and respect.
Academic Qualifications
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Master of Arts in Psychology (with Distinction) - August 2006
Thesis: A Comparison of Fear of Failure, Achievement Perceptions, and Causal Attributions in New Zealand and Japanese Students
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Education and Psychology (First Class) - May 2004
Research Project: Japanese Children’s Learned Helplessness
Yoga Certifications
The Centre for Trauma and Embodiment at JRI
300hr Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F) - May 2025
20hr Foundational Training in TCTSY - February 2024
Gabrielle Harris Yoga
50hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training - February 2025
AWHI Yoga & Wellbeing
200hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training - November 2020
