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Rating: 
Summary: Japanese Yoga??
Review: 'Japanese Yoga' is a surprising book that affects your daily life from day one that you practice it.
The fact that i keep on practicing it everyday is a solid proof that the exercises are helpful in many ways.The author H.E. DAVEY reveals in a clear and instructive way the teachings of NAKAMURA TEMPU SENSEI.
Both the psychological and spiritual background of his method are written in a down-to-earth way and without acting as a 'guru'.
Each of the principles has a PRACTICAL pendant as an exercise or test to make you really feel what is meant. In this way these principles are not mere assumptions, but become true and real, here and now.
For example : the principle that the mind moves and controls the body : the author includes several tests and exercises to make you find out for yourself what is meant. The practice of Japanese Yoga has a lot to offer : stretching exercises, improvement of posture and breathing, centered movement, healing skills, meditation etc. These are not too difficult for most people, if practiced in the right frame of mind. And they are beneficial indeed. The author suggests that there could follow a second volume of this book. i would be very pleased to read and learn more about Japanese Yoga. H.E. Davey also wrote "Living the Japanese Arts and Ways", 45 paths to meditation and beauty. This volume
further explores the Japanese Ways (do) and is equally interesting and revealing. It looks at "body-and-mind- unification" through the traditional crafts and arts of Japan.
Rating: 
Summary: affects you daily life from DAY ONE....
Review: 'Japanese Yoga' is a surprising book that affects your daily life from day one that you practice it.
The fact that i keep on practicing it everyday is a solid proof that the exercises are helpful in many ways. The author H.E. DAVEY reveals in a clear and instructive way the teachings of NAKAMURA TEMPU SENSEI.
Both the psychological and spiritual background of his method are written in a down-to-earth way and without acting as a 'guru'.
Each of the principles has a PRACTICAL pendant as an exercise or test to make you really feel what is meant. In this way these principles are not mere assumptions, but become true and real, here and now.
For example : the principle that the mind moves and controls the body : the author includes several tests and exercises to make you find out for yourself what is meant. The practice of Japanese Yoga has a lot to offer : stretching exercises, improvement of posture and breathing, centered movement, healing skills, meditation etc. These are not too difficult for most people, if practiced in the right frame of mind. And they are beneficial indeed. The author suggests that there could follow a second volume of this book. i would be very pleased to read and learn more about Japanese Yoga. H.E. Davey also wrote "Living the Japanese Arts and Ways", 45 paths to meditation and beauty. This volume
further explores the Japanese Ways (do) and is equally interesting and revealing. It looks at "body-and-mind- unification" through the traditional crafts and arts of Japan.
Rating:
Summary: Japanese Yoga??
Review: Having lived in Japan for nearly a decade (and NOT on a military base)- one thing I do know is that this type of eastern spirituality has few practicioners in Japan itself. In fact, at least one Japanese businessman that I know of went all the way to India to practice yoga. Why India, if he could have found what he needed in Japan? The main fans seem to be westerners, who seem to be the only people interested in these arts. Ask the average Japanese if they are religious, and they will tell you they have no understanding or interest in religion. And I sincerely doubt if any of them have ever heard of "Japanese Yoga". I can't help but wonder why Japan, India, or other Asian countries are often touted as a centers of spirituality when in fact these days there is very little about any of these countries that is spiritual. I'm not saying it won't work - anything that increases one's patience and flexibility can't be all bad. In fact, most of what this book covers is very good. Just don't get suckered into the belief that the same country that brought us WWII is some all knowing center of wisdom.
Rating:
Summary: Not Just a How-To Book
Review: If you're just interested in whether I liked this book or not, I'll get that out of the way first. I enjoyed this book and I expect to read it again in the near future. I should mention, before discussing the contents, that this book is well-constructed. I like to read on airplanes and took this book on several short trips. It not only fits well into carryon luggage, but also withstands the rigors of travel and hotels extremely well. This is not just a how-to type of book. Readers will not be overwhelmed by images of slim, svelte individuals in contortionist stances or situations. Rather, this book discusses the mental process of meditation. Any physical postures or exercises mentioned seem to be designed to facilitate the meditation process, not merely to lose weight or
fit in with the burgeoning yoga crowd. I don't think there is any one good manner of addressing the mental processes, especially those of meditation. It is just too complicated an area. This author takes the approach of discussing some of the short-term goals of the incremental steps of his method, Shin-shin-toitsu-do, rather than ephemeral discussions of long-term, years-down-the-line goals. He
repeats important points, usually from different angles and perspectives. This approach can be heavy-handed and burdensome, if not done correctly.
Mr. Davey keeps his approach light. Just when it seems he is going to spoil things, he is off on another tangent that brings the reader back to the same goal. I couldn't read this book in one sitting, although it is not a ponderous tome. I felt the need to break it into many short, educational readings. Sometimes just a snippet, sometimes reading longer. The material was presented in an easy manner, free of self-importance, yet not disrespectful. I know I probably didn't pick up all the important material
discussed, but I put it down with the feeling that I had found something that was important. I will read this book again, soon.
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