Asahi is a Finnish health exercise based on the eastern traditions of tai chi, qigong, yiquan and yoga, with a western scientific viewpoint. In Finland, there are two Asahi organisations, Asahi Nordic and Asahi Health. The international wing of Asahi Nordic is Asahi World.
Asahi exercise is often taught and performed in groups but can also be performed alone.
Asahi is from the Japanese for morning sun (Kanji: 朝日; Hiragana: あさひ; Katakana: アサヒ).
Asahi was created in Finland in 2004 by Timo Klemola, Ilpo Jalamo, Keijo Mikkonen, and Dr. Yrjö Mähönen. In 2024, Dr. Mähönen credited Ilpo Jalamo and Keijo Mikkonen with originating the idea, writing that he was pulled into the project due to his professional expertise in internal medicine and geriatrics, and that Timo Klemola, Ph.D. had contributed his expertise in Eastern philosophy.
According to Dr. Mähönen, all of the founders were Black Belt in Karate, and all sought a "simple, effective and inexpensive form of health exercise especially designed for Finnish people."
In 2014, the founding members parted company.
Dr. Yrjö Mähönen and Ilpo Jalamo founded Asahi Nordic ry in 2015. Their new website was fully functional by 2016. They offer training worldwide, as well as throughout Finland. In 2026, their international website listed many dozens of instructors in twelve countries. Asahi training sessions at FinnFest USA have been well-attended.
Keijo Mikkonen continued to offer Asahi training in Helsinki, through the original website Asahi Health. In 2023, he reached the rank of 6.dan in Karate.
Asahi is a series of slow movements, completed in silence. It looks a bit like qigong.
The original six principles of Asahi were:
In its 2021 English-language publication, Asahi Nordic lists eleven principles:
The Asahi World webpage describes Asahi® as "... a versatile health exercise suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Originating from Finland, Asahi is known for its holistic approach, incorporating gentle movements synchronized with slow breathing. Whether you're an athlete seeking post-workout recovery or an individual looking for stress relief, Asahi offers a fitness program that caters to everyone."
The Asahi Health website describes Asahi Health™ as (in translation to English) "a method of health exercise developed by Finns, the purpose of which is the prevention and treatment of our typical ailments. It is a method like physiotherapy, in which a person himself treats and takes care of himself by doing simple and natural exercises supported by breathing. Asahi is also a psychophysical form of exercise that allows the body to relax and calm the mind."
There is limited scientific evidence of the efficacy of Asahi on the static and dynamic balance of the elderly, from a 12-week study of 11 individuals over the age of 65 conducted by physical therapy students in a graduate program at JAMK University of Applied Sciences in 2016.
... previous studies ... have highlighted the significance of the learner experience as a basis for teaching (Dewey 1938; Klemola, 2004; Piirainen, 2006). Paying attention to bodily movement sensations may thus offer opportunities for experiences and learning (Klemola, 2004). (as cited in a 2023 journal article)
Vainio said the first time she taught ASAHI at FinnFest, 80 people showed up. The next day, there were 150. Eventually, her class had to move into the DECC ballroom to accommodate the interest. "It's like Finnish design, you can say that it's simple, there's no frills about it, it's very practical, it's very useful," she said. "And the Finns themselves don't even know how to advertise it."