Abstract

The origins of the "Kenko(health)" methods prevalent today can actually be found in the writings of Hakuin, a Zen monk from the mid-Edo period. Ms. Shiina, who successfully overcame numerous physical and mental ailments through her encounter with "Yasen Kanna," has adapted Hakuin's breathing technique to modern times, and in this book, she shows it in depth together with the Zen monk, Mr. Yokota, who serves as the head of Enkagu-ji.

Author’s Information

【Siina Yuki】
Yuki Shiina is an expert of breathing techniques, author, and the founder of Zen Kokyū.
Breathing expert and founder of the Zen Kokyū and the Zen Breathing Method, author of numerous books, and representative of Tainai-Taiwa, Inc. She is also a Zen Kokyū/Zen Breathing Method leader, breathing advisor, MC, natural rice farmer, and graduate of Waseda University, Faculty of Letters I, Department of Philosophy (’98). Born in 1975, she has a remarkable journey of overcoming physical and mental challenges
After suffering from a 15-year-long illness, especially persistent headaches since high school, she discovered breathing techniques from Edo-period texts. By integrating her personal experiences with the methods of Zen master Hakuin Ekaku, the originator of the term “health,” she developed the ZEN breathing method.
Her dedication to the Hakuin breathing method helped her recover from various physical ailments that conventional treatments—such as hospital visits, medication, acupuncture, chiropractic care, bodywork, and massage—could not alleviate. Remarkably, her health continued to improve as she aged.
With restored health, she expanded her focus beyond the ZEN Kokyu/Breathing Method to promote a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being. She is also involved in natural rice farming in Nagano, Japan. She purchased an old house in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, where she grows rice without fertilizers or pesticides with her students at Jinen Juku school.
She emphasizes that many people today overexert themselves trying to maintain their physical condition, often harming their health in the process. Through the ZEN Kokyu/Breathing Method, she teaches the importance of relaxing the body, maintaining a natural state, and reclaiming health. Her approach has garnered a global following, leading to invitations to teach in Greece, Germany, Austria, France, England, and many other cities.
In 2023-2024, she held workshops at the Tokyo National Museum for seven months, introducing Japanese culture to over 1,000 foreign visitors. These twice-weekly ZEN Kokyu workshops were highly praised.
Through her work, she aims to help people reclaim their physical and mental health, fostering a more positive and joyful world.

【Yokota Nanrei】
Yokota Nanrei was born in 1964, in the city of Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture. While a student at Tsukuba University he received ordinaition as a Zen monk ; upon completing his university studies he entered Kennin-ji Monastery to begin Zen monastic training. From 1991 he continued his training at Engaku-ji Monastery in Kamakura,and 1999 was designated as the monastery’s new Zen master. He assumed the position of chief abbot of Engaku-ji in 2010, and in 2017 became Chancellor of Hanazono University. His formal Zen teaching name is Seishoken.Among his many books are Rinzairoku ni Manabu(Leaning from the Record of Rinzai), jugyuzu ni Manabu (Learning from the Ten Oxherding Pictures), Zen to deau (Encountering Zen), Zen kokyu;kenko wa Hakuin-san kara (Zen Breathing: Teachings on Health from Hakuin), Nido to nai jinsei o ikiru tame ni ( How to Live this Precious Human Life), and Panda wa doko ni iru? (Where Is the Panda?).