02/02/2026
*****editor’s note****
Birthdate correction August 31, 1967
With profound sadness, we share that our founder, guru, teacher, and guiding force, Jo Ichihara, has passed. Jo began her yoga journey in 1998, studying with respected teachers across Asia, Europe, and the United States. She opened her first yoga studio in Saipan in 2003 and, over the years, went on to build multiple yoga communities around the world. Yoga Chill became her seventh studio, and for Guam, it became a true home.For more than two decades, Jo built Yoga Chill into far more than a studio. It became a place where generations practiced side by side. A place where teachers were trained, students were mentored, and people from all walks of life were welcomed with discipline, compassion, and care. Her teaching was physically demanding, precise, and deeply thoughtful. She believed in people, often before they believed in themselves. In 2016, Jo was diagnosed with Stage 3B lung cancer caused by a genetic mutation. In 2019, it progressed to Stage 4 with metastasis to the brain. She spoke openly about her diagnosis, never as a source of pity, but as part of her lived experience. Yoga remained central to her life throughout treatment and recovery. Her practice evolved with patience and humility, and she often returned to sun salutations, the foundation of her personal practice, as a way to steady herself and stay connected. Jo was a master teacher and a lifelong student. She held high standards because she respected the practice and the people who showed up for it. Her impact cannot be measured in studios or certifications alone. It lives in the teachers she trained decades ago who still practice today, in the students who found strength and clarity on their mats, and in the countless lives touched through this space. Yoga Chill exists because of her. This community carries her imprint. And her teachings continue through the people, the practice, and the lineage she leaves behind. We ask that you hold Jo and her family in your hearts. We thank everyone near and far who has been part of this journey with her. With deep respect and gratitude,Yoga Chill.