Realign Body and Mind with Zen Kokyu Breathwork and Meditation in a Serene Traditional Teahouse at the Tokyo National Museum

Taking the Time to Breathe

Nothing seems more intuitive than breathing. For most of our lives, we perform the act unconsciously, rarely pausing to give much thought to the way we breathe. 18th-century Zen master Hakuin Ekaku – best known for his playful, inventive paintings and calligraphy – was one man who thought deeply about breath. To recover after intense ascetic meditation sessions, he developed methods of regulating the breath and straightening one’s posture in order to calm the mind and reinvigorate the body.

When Yuki Shiina discovered Hakuin’s Zen kokyu breathing methods, she was surprised to find how effective these ancient techniques were. Along with improved mental clarity, she felt physically better, particularly in terms of the headaches that had troubled her since high school. Hoping to help others with the knowledge she had gained, Shiina began to research the Hakuin’s teachings more deeply and develop them into a method for the modern world, penning six books on the subject and teaching Zen kokyu breathing workshops in Japan and around the world to people of all ages. She also began instructing trainee monks at Engakuji Temple in Kamakura.

Enter the Tranquil World of a Traditional Japanese Teahouse

You will meet your instructor Shiina in front of the Tokyo National Museum, following her into the graceful Japanese garden behind the main building. This garden is home to five traditional teahouses including the Kujokan, a historic teahouse built for the noble Kujo family. While normally off-limits to visitors, its tranquil interior will provide the ideal historic ambience for your Zen experience.

As you enter the Kujokan, take a moment to let your mind wander back in time. As you feel the tatami floors yield beneath your feet, picture Hakuin and his disciples walking into rooms much like this. Join Shiina in the main room, where the tokonoma alcove contains a beautiful work of art from the Kano school of painting, which was highly influential from the late 15th to late 19th century. However, the name of this painting’s artist is lost in the mists of time. Imagine who that person might have been as you settle into this serene, timeless place.

Zen Kokyu Breathing, Customized to You and Your Body

Before your Zen kokyu breathing experience begins in earnest, Shiina will provide a brief consultation to better understand your individual needs and preferences. Her extensive knowledge and experience means that she is able to adapt her sessions considerably, both to maximize physical and mental benefits of the session and to avoid any pain or injury. Please feel free to relay any information that you feel comfortable sharing.

When it is time to begin the Zen kokyu breathing session, you will sit on the tatami floor with your back to the tokonoma, with Shiina facing you. While the conventional way is to sit crosslegged, low stools can be provided for those who find this awkward or uncomfortable. Once you are comfortable, Shiina will begin to explain and demonstrate the techniques of Zen kokyu breathing, along with the correct posture.

As you feel yourself relax into the experience, concentrate on the regulation of your breathing. When necessary, Shiina will assist you to realign your posture. You may be surprised by how focused your mind becomes, leaving behind the busy thoughts and cares of modern life. Hakuin was the first person to write the now-common Japanese word kenko, which is now used to refer generally to health, but is derived from the concept of unifying body, mind, and spirit. With the mind, so goes the body. With the body, so goes the mind.

Relax and Reflect Over Tea and Japanese Sweets

Feeling refreshed and enlightened after your Zen kokyu breathing session, you will next have some time to relax and reflect. Sip a soothing cup of tea as you gaze out toward the shrubs and trees of the surrounding garden. Savor the taste of Japanese sweets while you contemplate all that you have learned. While you are perfectly welcome to spend this time in silence, this is also a perfect time for a conversation with your instructor. Feel free to share your impressions of Zen kokyu breathing or ask any lingering questions that you might have.

Breathing for Life: from New Encounter to Daily Routine

As a souvenir from this unique Wabunka experience, each member of your group will take home a Zen Egg. Made of hinoki cypress wood, this special object is not only pleasing to the eye, but perfect for lightly massaging the shoulders and lower neck to release muscle tension. This can be done to prepare for a Zen kokyu breathing session or whenever you need to relax. It is also a pleasant reminder of your time in Tokyo with Shiina, when you finally discovered the importance of breathing.

After bidding farewell to Shiina, take some time to explore the Tokyo National Museum’s extensive collection of art and historical artifacts, with admission included as part of the experience.

Upon returning to your home, the breathing and posture techniques you have learned can easily become part of a daily routine. This can be true even for the littlest participants. Due to their natural flexibility, Shiina emphasizes that children take to Zen kokyu breathwork surprisingly naturally. And in this overstimulating age of electronics, they in particular need to slow down and learn to breathe.