Thursday, February 24, 2011

A Review of Japanese Yoga

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Stone Bridge Press; 1 edition (May 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1880656604
ISBN-13: 978-1880656600
Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.6 inches

A Guide to Better Living
By Dr. Kyle Kurpinski

For most, the title Japanese Yoga will immediately conjure countless preconceived notions about the contents of this book, most of which are probably wrong. Yes, this work contains exercises for stretching, breathing, and various forms of meditation (both static and in motion), but the most important aspect of this book (and really, its singular underlying theme) is something that would make for a much more cumbersome title: the unification of mind and body.

It's clear then why H. E. Davey chose the title that he did, but it may not be so clear as to why you should buy this book. Let me help you out. "Mind and Body Unification" is the state in which both your mind and body work together in unison to make you a more effective person. This idea may seem somewhat simplistic on the surface, but when you start to dig deeper and explore the exercises within this book, you'll quickly realize how inefficient and ineffective most people are in their daily lives. If you look closely, you'll begin to notice that fundamental human problems like stress, tension, emotional swings, etc., etc. are very often caused by a lack of unity between body and mind, and with practice you'll come to realize that you have much more control over these things than most people ever imagine. The opportunities to improve your body, mind, and life in general are, and always have been, within you. This book simply helps you discover this "hidden" potential, and it does so with easy-to-understand images and straightforward exposition.

A brief review can't do this book justice; the techniques and ideas presented here are literally life-changing. Put simply, this book will teach you how to stay calm under pressure, how to be healthier and more relaxed, and how to reach your full potential in life.
 
About the Reviewer: Kyle Kurpinski is a teacher of more than one classical Japanese art and the author of How to Defeat Your Own Clone: And Other Tips for Surviving the Biotech Revolution. He is also a leading U. S. cell biologist.

Review of The Japanese Way of the Artist

The Japanese Way of the Artist:
Living the Japanese Arts & Ways, Brush Meditation, The Japanese Way of the Flower

By H. E. Davey

494 pages, 6 x 7 ¾", 135 B&W illustrations and photographs
Paper, ISBN: 978-1-933330-07-5, $19.95

H. E. Davey combines a remarkable technical facility in the Japanese art of the brush with a deep understanding of its spiritual profundities. His book offers a marvelous practical introduction to Japanese calligraphy as well as insights into the essence of this art. It is a unique and fascinating presentation of a little-known art of self-cultivation.--Dave Lowry, author of Sword and Brush