On a Friday evening at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium, about 1,000 people took part in a session of night yoga, an event held a few times each month.
"Control your breathing — release the tension in your mind and body," 24-year-old instructor Arisa Takada said through a microphone during the session at the home field of the Yakult Swallows baseball team. Guided by Takada, with therapeutic music in the background, the yogis in the outfield moved like waves in the stadium lights.
Doing yoga in parks, stadiums and other outdoor facilities has become a popular way to release stress in Tokyo and other major cities. The free events are organized by companies and require no reservation or experience. Some participants were in yoga gear but others were in T-shirts and shorts.