Since launching Acrobatic Arts in Japan in 2022, Ai Notohara has been quietly doing something remarkable. In this update episode, Ai shares how the program is now running inside a Tokyo elementary school in partnership with Japan's Ministry of Education, why she teaches acro in English, and what it meant to bring her students to Canada to compete for the very first time. A great listen for anyone who loves seeing acro grow beyond borders.

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About Ai Notohara

From Yokohama City, Japan, Ai competed in her first All Japan Baton Twirling Championships when she was 4 years old and eventually represented Japan in the World Championships. She holds national titles in Japan and in Canada. She dances professionally in New York, and was cast in Cirque Du Soleil’s, KA. She also teach twirling and dance in Japan, USA, and Canada. 

Acrobatic Arts Japan: https://youtu.be/Kq4UDQVrLQg

Listen to Ai's previous episodes:

Ep. 63 Exploring Acrobatic Arts in Japan with Ai Notohara: https://youtu.be/6rrR_oYSffs

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PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION

Loren  0:00  
Hey everyone, welcome to the Acrobatic Arts podcast. I'm Loren, and I will be interviewing some of the top leaders and innovators from the dance and acrobatic industry. If you are a teacher, performer, student, or a lifelong learner like myself, you are sure to find these episodes intriguing and full of inspiration. 

Loren  0:21  
Acrobatic Arts is passionate about providing current and relevant information for everyone, so please sit back and enjoy as we share our passion with you and the world. 

Loren  0:37  
Today, we are welcoming back Ai Notohara from Yokohama City, Japan. Ai is a professional dancer, performer, and teacher with a background in baton twirling, acrobatics, and dance. She went on to dance professionally in New York and performed in Cirque du Soleil's Ka. When we last spoke in episode 63 Ai shared how she launched Acrobatic Arts in Japan in 2022 She talked about why she felt it was the right time and what it took to introduce a brand new program to a country that had never seen it before. 

Loren  1:07  
One thing that really stood out from that conversation was how Acrobatic Arts fits so naturally into Japan's growing focus on globalization and English education. In this episode, we're getting an update on how things have grown and hearing about a very exciting trip that I recently took with her students to Canada. 

Loren  1:28  
Before we begin, a quick reminder for anyone looking for professional acro training. Acrobatic Arts trains and certifies 1000s of teachers around the globe. You can learn more about our programs and upcoming courses at Acrobatic arts.com Now let's welcome our guest for today. 

Loren  1:51  
Ai Notohara, welcome back to the Acrobatic Arts podcast.

Ai  1:56  
Thank you so much for having me.

Loren  1:58  
Now, what we all want to know is, what is new with Acrobatic Arts in Japan since we last spoke.

Ai  2:06  
I was at the podcast in 2023 so it has been a while, and there has been a big change since then. Acrobatic Arts Japan had supervised the physical education program by the Ministry of Education started in April 2024 in the global course at Showa Elementary School in Tokyo. First time ever, PE classes were taught and supervised by Acrobatic Arts in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Japan, and have continued into the third year in April 2026 each year we have 36 grade one students who work on Acrobatic Arts primary level and 36th grade two students who work on Acrobatic Arts level one.

Loren  2:56  
Wow, that is amazing. And how do you see it growing from here.

Speaker 1  3:03  
I feel that my mission is to set the standard of excellence in physical education in order to promote technique and progression in acrobatics in Japan. In 2022 I started Acrobatic Arts in Japan, and it was a perfect timing for them, as globalization was the key focus for education at that time. The Acrobatic Arts syllabus was developed in Canada, and schools and students in Japan have an opportunity to experience that worldwide standard of excellence in acrobatics. A bridge that connects them with the world is what I want to provide for Japanese students. This is why I started Acrobatic Arts in Japan.

Loren  3:51  
I love that Ai a bridge that connects them with the world, that's fantastic. And I know you're joining me all the way from Japan, which is super exciting, so a bridge that connects them with the world, is that why you teach acro in English?

Ai  4:09  
Yes, and also there's another reason. At the global course in Showa Elementary School, students learn the most of the subject in English. Therefore, I teach Acrobatic Arts in PE classes in English, as well as kindergarten and studio.

Loren  4:28  
And I know that you recently brought some students to Canada to compete in dance and acrobatics. Why did you decide to do that?

Speaker 2  4:39  
A few dances from Acrobatic Arts Japan studio traveled and competed at the dance competition in Canada in March. Long story short, I went to high school in Canada and competed in many competitions through dance and baton. I am pretty sure that those experiences helped me become a professional dancer and got me to where I am now. Sharing a passion for dance and baton with dance friends overcoming hard times and good times I made very special memories and those dance friends became lifelong friends I am so thankful for those friends, and some of them have reconnected with Acrobatic Arts. Because of my own experience I wanted to give my dancers an opportunity to compete in Canada, so that they can have experiences that carry with them for a lifetime.

Loren  5:39  
Was this their first time competing outside of Japan?

Speaker 1  5:44  
Yes, last year I took my dancers to Canada to compete for the very first time. Not only was it the first competition for Acrobatic Arts Japan, it was the very first competition for most of them.

Loren  5:58  
I can imagine they were so excited.

Speaker 3  6:00  
Yes, yes.

Loren  6:03  
How did your students do in the competition

Speaker 4  6:07  
This year three out of five dancers were making their debut at competition, meaning it was their first time ever competing. They all delivered their best performances and received many most outstanding awards, as well as first runner-up in mini and junior duo, and overall fourth in senior solo at the Showcase.

Loren  6:31  
Congratulations to you. 

Ai  6:33  
Thank you so much. 

Loren  6:34  
Yeah, that's so exciting.

Ai  6:36  
Yes,

Loren  6:38  
What was the experience like for them? 

Ai  6:42  
First, I would like to use this opportunity to thank all the teachers, dancers, competition director, and staff for welcoming us. Our parents and dancers had a great time in Canada. My dancers had a chance to meet and make friends by exchanging little gifts from Japan, and taking photos, they came home motivated, and some of them would love to go back again next year already.

Loren  7:11  
So, Ai, what is next for you and Acrobatic Arts in Japan?

Ai  7:17  
My mission is to set the standard of excellence in physical education in the school system in Japan. I would like to connect with more schools in the near future, as well as continue teaching kindergarten students and studio students. I am hoping to give every student a great opportunity to expand their possibilities and let their talent shine.

Ai  7:44  
Lastly, I would like to thank Acrobatic Arts for continued support. Through Acrobatic Arts, I became a school teacher. I never thought it would happen, but when you do what you love and follow your dream, you can get anywhere. You never know where life takes you.

Ai  8:03  
So lastly I have a question for you. 

Loren  8:07  
Oh 

Ai  8:07  
May I ask?

Loren  8:09  
You may 

Ai  8:10  
All right. Okay, so Miss Loren, okay, I know that dance teachers are always busy, and they're stressful times, especially nowadays. I feel that communication is much harder. What makes you keep going? What motivates you?

Loren  8:30  
That is a very good question. I, and I think it's true all over the world, this job does feel more intense, and I hear from so many teachers, even in person, and the ones I've had on the podcast, and I think we all come back to the same thing. It's really the students, especially in acro, there's that exciting moment when they finally achieve a skill,

Ai  8:55  
right

Loren  8:56  
But even more than that, it's watching them grow in confidence and resilience, because the journey that they take learning that skill. 

Ai  9:11  
Yes

Loren  9:07  
And then there are some moments that you can't measure, like the hug from a four year old whose face lights up when you come in the room, or even I've heard from former students when they come up to me, you know, years after I'm done teaching them, and they tell me about life lessons that they're still using in their life that they learned in dance and acro class. So, I think even on the hard days when communication feels tough and everything feels overwhelming, I think that's what keeps me going, and a lot of teachers that I know, and how about you Ai? Is this the same?

Ai  9:27  
Yes, it's the same. Yeah, I only have done this for four years, but every day I feel joy, like I'm the kids makes me happy, because the Acrobatic Arts, what's new to them, like I started. From nothing, you know, people didn't know anything about acrobatic art here in Japan, so I had to tell them what it was first. Then, as it's growing, and I see students having fun learning, and of course, like the result, or like what they accomplish is most important, that the all the process, like you know, each day I think there's a meaning makes me happy every time.

Loren  10:32  
Ai, before we wrap up, is there anything else you would like to tell our listeners?

Ai  10:38  
No, everything is said, but I would like to come back again with great news.

Loren  10:46  
I, you are always welcome here, and it's been wonderful talking with you again. I would like to say, Arigato Gozaimasu.

Ai  10:55  
Arigato Gozaimasu. Thank you so much for having me. 

Loren  11:04  
If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to subscribe and follow, so you never miss an episode. And if you know a dance teacher, student, or parent who would love to hear this discussion, send it their way. Sharing the show is one of the best ways to support the podcast. 

Loren  11:22  
Until next time. Find power in your strength, freedom in your flexibility, and know that we are here to support you on your acro journey. 

Loren  11:34  
Thanks for listening everyone, and have a great day!