How to adjust your posture and breathing so that you can say
"I’m feeling great!"
by Shinichi Tohei
"... through good posture and breathing" is, loosely translated, the title of a book by Shinichi Tohei, Kaichō of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai.
At the beginning of 2021, he dealt in live broadcasts on NHK television with the problems like home-office and close living together, which were caused by the measures against the corona virus.
The resulting 205-page book was suggested by a publisher.
Why good posture is important.
A good posture does not put strain on the body.
The correct posture is a natural posture.
Chest area and shoulders.
Neck and head.
Let Ki flow into your feet.
Checking posture with Ki tests.
Relaxation and calming of the mind.
Carrying heavy loads.
Lifting heavy objects.
Act efficiently in the household.
Cooking, vacuuming, hanging up laundry, cleaning.
Sitting on the chair, sitting in seiza.
Standing on the train, riding a bike, driving a car.
Write in the correct posture.
Walking, running, climbing stairs.
Pushing heavy loads on a trolley.
Holding a little child properly in your arms.
Emotions and breathing.
Ki breathing method.
Breathing and communication.
Breathing technique to change your mind.
Breathing to get rid of fear.
The mind moves the body.
Relaxation and healthy sleep.
Improving dexterity.
Multitasking.
Techniques against irritability and anxiety.
Perception of your inner state.
Act purposeful and freely.
Washing dishes, handling knives in the household.
Sitting for long periods of time without getting tired.
Get up feeling rested.
Cycling and driving.
Handling musical instruments.
Looking forward and helping each other.
Avoiding frustration.
Overcoming Ki stagnation.
Dealing with difficult people.
Difficult negotiations.
Singing in a choir in front of an audience.
Alleviating fears through connection with nature.
Changes in daily life.
Moving your mind and body freely.
Relief from fatigue and frustration.
Introspection.
From the description in the book:
Shinichi Tohei 藤平信一, born in 1973 in Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering. President of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai. At a young age he was guided by his father Koichi Tohei and trained as his successor in Aikido. There are approximately 30,000 students in 24 countries worldwide.
On television he appeared on "Asaichi" and "Tomorrow will be sunny! Life Recipe". Books published so far include "Ki Breathing" 「気の呼吸」, "The origin of communication is in Ki!" 「コミュニケーションの原点は「氣」にあり！」, "Ki Dojo" 「氣」の道場 and "The Power of Ki Learned by Top-Class People" 「一流の人が学ぶ氣の力」.
On the Internet there are different reviews of the book. Somebody criticizes that there are too many words and that everything could have been written more compactly. The unique selling point of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido is also doubted. After all Jiu Jitsu or other martial arts would teach something similar.
Others write that the book helped them and is very practical. The exercises are easy to implement.
The virtue of the book are the practical examples and the good illustrations, in which incorrect and correct attitudes from everyday life are compared. The author's arguments are practical and sometimes original. For Aikido teachers, the examples could be an incentive to explain postures and movements in Aikido using everyday activities.
A large part of the book consists then of the feedback from the participating family in the live broadcast and success reports from Aikidoka who have been training for a longer time, confirming mainly the statements made previously.
The book is currently only available in Japanese and Chinese.
Bernhard Boll
