We were lucky to catch up with Johanna Yukiko Haneda recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Johanna Yukiko , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I have just finished the recording process of a Mini Album with lullabies collaborated with The Teshin Company. Working on the mini album of lullabies has been an uplifting and meaningful experience. It is a way to express my creativity and a chance to share something positive and calming with others. This Mini Album consists of three Japanese Lullabies, one Western Lullaby, and two originals. Bringing these lullabies to life to soothe and comfort children and adults has been rewarding. There’s nothing quite like feeling that sense of satisfaction from creating something unique that could spread peace and happiness among people.
AJ Teshin, The Teshin Company, and I met almost ten years back. He was a panelist at SAG-AFTRA (actor and singer’s Union), and I was an audience. After the panel discussion, I approached him and introduced myself. In the conversation, he seems familiar with the Japanese music scene, and we continue to be in touch through email.
At the end of 2021, he contacted me to collaborate and create something. Since we had more time during this pandemic, we could focus on our projects.
Sleeping disorder is a fundamental issue for all of us, but in this unprecedented time, it is more imminent.
And we found the article about singing and listening to lullabies both having a soothing effect, we decided to start with the theme.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I AM A SINGER_ACTOR_AUTHOR_SONG WRITER. BORN IN TOKYO, JAPAN,
I SPENT TWO YEARS LIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA, DURING MY CHILDHOOD.
I DISCOVERED MY MUSIC LOVE AND DECIDED TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE RECORDING ARTS.
I DEBUTED AS A RECORDING ARTIST IN 1988 FROM SONY RECORDS AND HAVE WORKED WITH SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS, INCLUDING PRODUCER DAVID FOSTER, PAUL ANKA, AND MORE.
IN 2011, AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE HIT JAPAN, I DECIDED TO RELOCATE TO THE US TO CONTINUE PURSUING MY CAREER ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. HER PRIMARY METHOD FOR PERSONAL WELL-BEING AND PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUE – MILLION BREATH – IS FOCUSED ON SELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH HER BREATH AND VOICE.
I STARTED MY CAREER AS A SINGER AND EVOLVED TO EXPRESS MYSELF IN OTHER MEDIUMS. ACTING, VIDEO CREATION (PERFORMANCE ART), AND RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS.
“MORE THAN WORDS’ IS MY PHILOSOPHY, BUT THE WORDS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. I OVERCAME MY EXISTENCE BY USING WORDS AND WRITING. I TRIED MY BEST TO DELIVER THE HONEST AND KIND WORDS POSSIBLE.
“INNER CHILD HEALING WITH YOUR BREATH’ IS WHAT I THINK AND HAVE BEEN DOING MY WHOLE LIFE TO MAINTAIN MY WELL-BEING. THIS IS ANOTHER MEANINGFUL PROJECT FOR ME.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The journey of self-healing began when I was three years old. I remembers feeling spiders crawling all over my body after a babysitter read a story about spiders. (She is an excellent narrator!) I suffered from illusions for some time, seeing doctors and therapists who had no clue about the cure. As a three years old, it was difficult to explain what was happening to me. But I started to learn control by using and listening to my breathing and humming. That is when I first understood the true power of self-healing and one’s breath. Since then, I have used these techniques to overcome many challenges in her life. And each time, she is reminded of the incredible power within us.
I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 14 years old, breast cancer, kidnapped my stepdaughter when I was married to my first husband, two divorces, and total loss from the earthquake,
I have faced challenges in my life, as many people have, but keeping my well-being by knowing myself with this method.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Knowing myself is the basis of my creativity, and creativity is my therapy that could have the potential to share and connect with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.millionbreath.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jyhsing_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millionbreath/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZbzLa5lZgbH5xANTGYRr4g
- Other: Spotify Artist Page https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Ud9W6I8fQrSoUM9fWJIBc?si=p8mxF42gScaHtCmrvv73tQ Book link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN4L6QGY
Image Credits
2 images are for lullabies album 3 are for the book Inner Child Healing With Your Breath