Dharma-rooted Yoga

(January ８, 2023)

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Aloha, my yoga mates.

How did you spend the New Year’s holidays?

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On a personal note, as I am mourning the passing of Dr. Kazuo Inamori, whom I have long respected and admired as my "mentor in life," I have a little held back from celebrating New Year this time.

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There are tens of thousands of business owners outside of Japan who have succeeded by practicing the teachings of Dr. Inamori, an internationally respected business leader, and philosopher. Following the Inamori Philosophy, which teaches to care for their employees and maintain fair and honest management, many managers in the world, including Hawaii, were able to survive or even expand their businesses through the Lehman Shock and the COVID pandemic.

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It is not only managers. All people can lead a wonderful life simply by changing their way of thinking. To do so, it is essential to respect the heavens (the universe = Mother Nature) and love others. I was also taught that we should always base our decisions on our true selves, deep within our hearts.

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What he taught reminds me of the teaching of yoga, which has been handed down for thousands of years. Dr. Inamori was not a yogi, but he was a Zen monk who believed that the noblest act of a human being was to serve society and others. He lived out his 90 years of life with such incredible dignity.

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Another obituary came on the second day of the new year. Jin Tatsumura, director of the documentary film series “Gaia Symphony,” passed away at 82 due to old age.

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Gaia Symphony is a documentary film that tells us that the earth itself is one gigantic living organism and that all beings, including animals, plants, oceans, and mountains, have been living for 4 billion years by connecting and influencing each other, and that we, human beings, have been kept alive as a part of this interconnectedness. Gaia Symphony depicts this through beautiful images and music.

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The director himself has been making efforts to promote the film, and in 2007 he gave a lecture in Honolulu for the first public screening in Hawaii. Coincidentally, it seems that his last outing as a director was to see “Beethoven’s Symphony the Ninth” concert at the end of 2022 by world-renowned conductor Kenichiro Kobayashi, who is featured in the ninth film of the film series, “Gaia Symphony No. 9,” with his family in a private audience.

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The passing of people who have significantly impacted me has made me think deeply about “what is the purpose of life” again during this year-end and the New Year holidays.

Even if I cannot achieve such greatness as the above two people, I would like to live my life to the fullest as I only have one chance to live it.

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Just as an insect or a pebble exists for a reason, there is always a reason, no matter how small, why we are alive in this world today. I hope each of you finds it and maintains a healthy body, mind, and spirit for as long as possible so that you can fulfill your respective life.

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Please let Takae (808.386.5358) know if you have any requests or questions, and let us enjoy yoga practice together! 

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Kotoshimo Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu.

OUR STUDIOS

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【Palolo Class: Palolo Hongwanji Mission】

Wednesdays

16:00 - 17:15 (Introductory Yoga Course for Healthy Aging)

18:00-19:30

(Hatha Yoga Basic for beginners-to-intermediate practitioners)

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【Nuuanu Class: Honolulu Myohoji Mission】

Mondays 8:45-10:00 (Introductory Yoga Course for Healthy Aging)

10:15-11:30 (Hatha Yoga Basic for Beginners for beginners) 

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【Zoom* Online Class】Continued

Fridays 5:00 pm~6:30 pm    Yang/Ying fusion with restorative asana for beginners.

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 【Private Lessons】

After a free consultation, the detail will accommodate each student's condition and schedule.

Tel: 808-386-5358
​Mail: contact@bigbear-dharma.com or takaeoj@gmail.com

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Hawaii, U.S.A.