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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • dd4d brewing

        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...
        fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

Breath

Just before sitting down to pen this month’s column, I came down with a bad cold—from stomach pains and nausea to the eventual fever— and spent the entire day in and out of sleep. Apparently, a fellow World Cup Alpine skier caught the same thing during the season.

For the past few years, instead of the normal “New Year’s Resolution,” I’ve taken to choosing “key words” for the year. For 2009, “breathing” and “harmony” are the words on which I would focus in my daily life. I would make it a point to study their importance and effect, bringing new depth to the words.

“Breathing” is one of the six basic principles of Pilates and, if you take the time to watch the movements of its creator Joseph Pilates on YouTube, you’ll notice his breathing is exceptional. The diaphragm and rib muscles are anatomically strengthened through breathing technique which has a great effect on the surrounding musculature. With practice we begin to understand how much can be gained through quality breathing.

Children take deep breaths after running about; we are told to take deep breaths before an exam, interview or tournament, and figureskater Mao Asada uses breathing techniques to prepare her for success on the ice. Breathing is an important starting point for Pilates as well as yoga, Yamuna Body Rolling, T’ai Chi Chuan, Qigong and gyrotechnic weight training.

Strained or short breathing tightens the muscles and restricts movement. Even in massage therapy we are encouraged to exhale deeply to release muscle tension. In addition to the considerable effect on autonomic nerves, breathing helps create a balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.

When a cold makes it difficult to breathe, a deep exhale can help ease the symptoms, encouraging you to take in more fresh air to help speed recovery.

Breathing is your first act outside the womb and your last before death. This confirms the importance of good breathing techniques as a source of life itself. Find a place where fresh air abounds and to feel the beauty of big, deep breaths. Take in the goodness and begin to feel refreshed. Yamuna Body Rolling: www.yamunabodyrolling.jp

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