The latest buzz -- Use your morning time more efficiently for self-improvement:
From a morning university, networking breakfast to a morning reading club
Did you know “Asakatsu”? The latest buzz word in Japan?
“Asa” means “morning” and “katsu” means “activity”. So, it is morning activities.
I am not only talking about going to the gym or taking a yoga class in the morning.
It is to improve your intelligence, socialize, and learn new things – in the morning!
One example is Marunouchi Morning University. It used to be known as “Asa Expo in Marunouchi”.
They used to hold an expo between 7:15 and 8:30am, five days a week in Marunouchi (major office district). At the expo, anybody could sign up for a wide range of workshops, exercise classes, and lectures for a $10 flat fee.
But participants complained that they wanted to continue their learning. So, starting in April 2009, they changed the system from a five-day expo to continuous education “Marunouchi Morning University”.
Now, the eight sessions (7:30 - 8:30am) are held for a three month period. The cost is about 30,000 yen ($300). The university offers various classes, such as photography, yoga, calligraphy, money management, voice training, health management, Nordic walking, agriculture, nutrition… you name it.
Other Asakatsu include the “Ginza Breakfast club” which is a morning networking event over coffee and the “Reading-Lab” where people get together and talk about books in the morning.
Asakatsu has a lot of benefits. 1) It is healthier to get up early. 2) There are less distractions from the phone and email. 3) It is cheaper to socialize (coffee instead of dinner) 4) You sleep early so you become a “morning person” from a “late night person” 5) You can focus more in the morning 6) It helps the environment to reduce electrical consumption (sleep early) and CO2 emission (not driving during peak traffic). It is good for your health, the environment… and your brain and finances – what a great idea!!
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