In effect, all yoga training is part of the Zen philosophy, but Zen Yoga uses the original teachings and forms of the ancient yoga masters. In this way, Zen yoga helps to focus your life, to enable you to achieve goals and ambitions, and therefore to allow you to take your place in the true scheme of things from both a physical and metaphysical perspective. In addition, Zen yoga teaches you how to meditate effectively and to use your body to achieve this heightened meditative state through the Saoda technique.

The '72 gates' demonstrate the different types of yoga such as Hatha (physical), Raja (mind), Bakthi, Ashtanga, Jnana, and Karma. In Japanese Yoga, practitioners use the Miyamoto Seitei technique to help balance the body. Seitei uses stretching and isometrics exercise to help develop a natural balance within the body. In addition, Japanese Yoga utilises meridian therapy with Shiatsu pressure points developed from Masunaga. Consequently, form is not as important in Japanese yoga (as is the case in Oki Yoga) as opposed to the more strict codes of traditional Indian Yoga such as Iyengar. A further aspect of general Japanese Yoga is the use of the Hashimoto Sotai technique, which uses the structural balancing concept of manipulation to harmonise the body.

Furthermore, most of the new students of Japanese Yoga tend to find the learning process far easier (as their body becomes accustomed to the exercise program), when compared to the more difficult and strict practices of Iyengar. This is due in part to the fact that a trained practitioner prior to commencing any exercise program gives each student of Japanese Yoga a physical assessment and clinical appraisal. The student is then given a personally unique program that addresses their body’s individuality which then them to undertake their program with ease and achieve a rapid return to balanced body.

A fundamental difference between Indian and Japanese yoga is that the Japanese style makes great use of 'partner' exercises where two students practice their stretching techniques together and rely on the other person’s strength and flexibility to improve their own yoga program. This is commonly known as Oki Japanese Yoga. With this system the student accelerates their technique ability whilst enjoying the interaction with their fellow students.