Images: The Inspiration of 90-Year-Old Gymnastics Instructor Kikuchi Kazuko

The evident pleasure Kikuchi takes in her body and its movements communicates itself to everyone around her. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

A “handshake” between the left hand and right foot. The key is to make sure that the fingers grip tightly at grip the toes tightly around their base. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Illustrations of the capillary blood vessels in a human hand (left) and foot. The illustrations show how a thick network of blood vessels runs all the way to the very tips of our fingers and toes, like the branching veins in a tree. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

This anatomical leotard makes the close relationships between the skeleton, musculature, and organs immediately visible. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Kikuchi enjoys a clear, blemish-free complexion even at 90. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Each lesson begins by gathering the energy or “ki” of all the participants. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Anatomical models are a constant presence wherever Kikuchi teaches her classes. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Kikuchi knows at a glance how her regular students are doing. Here she exchanges a few words with Sadotomo Junko. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Kikuchi talks to her students all through the class, and is constantly on the move, keeping a close eye on every movement her students make. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Kawamoto Kiichi’s spritely movements belie his 83 years. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Kikuchi gives an injection of ki (healing spiritual strength) to people who are feeling weak or struggling with worries. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

A souvenir picture at the end of class. A new energy seems to surge from the revitalized participants. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

To start with, two people sit opposite each other and join their fingers and toes together. Getting a tactile “feel” for the other person is important. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)