The Nishino Breathing Method®

Twenty-three years ago, I embarked on a life-changing journey with the Nishino Breathing Method®, guided by my Japanese father-in-law, a devoted practitioner and Tai Chi Chuan master. Early on, I experienced the profound effects of Sokushin Breathing and Karin exercises, which brought me unparalleled relaxation and vitality within just 20 minutes. Motivated by this initial exposure, I later regularly traveled to Tokyo to deepen my understanding of NBM®. As a medical student, my experiences at the Nishino School challenged and expanded my scientific perspectives, showcasing the method's immediate and transformative impact on both mind and body. I am immensely grateful to Master Kōzō Nishino, whose teachings have positively affected countless lives, including my own. As both a practitioner and a medical doctor, I am convinced of the method's significant benefits to mental and physical health, and the joy it brings is beyond words. After participating in the Headquarters' training in February 2023, I noticed a pivotal shift in the teaching approach. The instruction remained true to Nishino Sensei's foundational principles but was delivered with unprecedented detail and accessibility, making the practice more effective and enjoyable. The introduction of new exercises, particularly in non-verbal communication (Taiki), greatly enhanced the learning experience. The training environment at the Headquarters is uniquely focused on the learners, promoting an open and generous exchange of knowledge. This approach, spearheaded by Master Kitamura, Master Nishino's closest disciple, reflects a commitment to transparency and student-centered learning. Master Kitamura's professionalism, dedication, and warmth make the practice at the Headquarters not only effective but also deeply human and inspiring. In summary, the Nishino Breathing Method® Headquarters offers a welcoming and enriching environment for anyone seeking to explore the internal arts. The teaching philosophy of "no secrets" ensures high-quality instruction and a community where centering the mind and accessing the "physical now" becomes a straightforward and immediate experience.

When I was a young teenager, I became deeply interested in two things:  martial arts and Asian philosophy.  I loved the cultivation of the body that the martial arts provided, and I loved even the simple word “dojo” (道場) – a place for the practice of “the Way.”  Whatever “the Way” was, I loved the idea that there were physical spaces where you could practice it using your body.

As a teenager, I was also deeply curious about stories I read about ancient martial arts masters who demonstrated remarkable feats and possessed a kind of invisible power called qi, or ki.  Whenever there was a martial arts demonstration in my hometown of Seattle I would try to attend, and if there was a chance to ask questions afterward, I would always ask “what about qi or ki?”  But no-one seemed to have an answer, or if they did, they weren’t interested in sharing it with me.  So, I started on my path in the martial arts, first studying Chinese kung-fu and then, while studying abroad in Japan during college, switching over to aikido.  I wasn’t sure I would ever find answers to my questions about invisible power—or if the answers even existed—but at least I could keep training my body and practicing “the Way.”

Over time, I realized that most people in the martial arts world have little or no idea about what ki is, and even if they do have an idea, very few have a palpable experience of ki. Finally, however, in my twenties, I found what I had been searching for:  I began training with an aikido teacher in the U.S who had a deep understanding of breath power, and who remains my teacher to this day.  I owe a deep debt of gratitude to him for introducing me to the reality and the power of Ki energy.  And I learned something unexpected at his dojo that has remained true throughout all my experiences at the Nishino Breathing Method Headquarters:  wherever there is Ki energy flowing strongly, there is also great laughter and deep joy.

Aikido involves practicing with a partner, so it’s not something you can easily do by yourself.  So, when I was back in Japan during graduate school, a friend who knew I was interested in Ki energy gave me a book by someone named Kōzō Nishino, which included instructions on how to cultivate Ki energy through breathing exercises that you can practice on your own.  I read the book and began practicing the exercises for a few months, until it dawned on me that I could just visit the Tokyo headquarters of the Nishino Breathing Method and see first-hand what the book was talking about.  So, in 2000, I paid my membership fee and walked into the Tokyo Nishino headquarters dojo for the first time.

Needless to say, I was blown away, mentally and physically, and I was overjoyed.  Watching Master Nishino do taiki with students was kind of like watching a drama unfold, or like watching a great choreographer at work.  His students would receive a profound exchange of Ki energy, and through the alchemy of that interaction, you could see some of the students’ own unique talents shining forth:  it was clear that some were dancers, or gymnasts, or singers, or martial artists, each receiving Ki energy in their own unique way.  It seemed that the experience of taiki with Master Nishino touched people at the very core of their being.  It was incredible to see and to experience, as well as mysterious, and unforgettable.

At the same time, I’ve always felt that in every century there are a few miraculous people who walk the earth, which is exactly what I had read about in books as a teenager.  So, while it felt amazing to be in Master Nishino’s presence, the fact of his existence itself didn’t surprise me.  The real question remained:  can those incredible people who walk the earth transmit their abilities to others?  What truly surprised me were all the Shidōin (指導員)—the instructors who led the classes under Master Nishino.  They were ordinary-seeming people, men and women, some older, some younger, all of whom possessed extraordinary breath power, who could send me flying across the room while barely moving a muscle.  This is what ultimately amazed me and continues to amaze me about the Nishino Breathing Method:  not just that one incredibly talented human could develop the method, but that he could transmit it to so many “ordinary” instructors, who are each filled with their own unique reservoir of powerful Ki energy.

I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the instructors and students of the Nishino Breathing Method in Japan, who keep the teachings alive and who work tirelessly to make the teachings available to everyone.  As I continue to train with my dear teachers whenever I am able at the Nishino Breathing Method, Tokyo Headquarters, I hope that I will continue to learn one millionth of what Master Nishino knew, and one thousandth of what the instructors understand.  No matter how little or how much I develop, however, it’s a joyful path to be on.

After receiving a scholarship and planning to study abroad in Germany for one year, I ended up staying there for over 40 years.  Zen Shakuhachi is not well known in Japan, but for some reason, I have been teaching Zen Shakuhachi in Germany for years and pursued the sound of Shakuhachi that resonates with the human heart, transcending identity.

The essence of Komusō Shakuhachi is simply in breathing, and it has been traditionally practiced beyond time as a ritual instrument for training the lower abdomen Tanden as a breathing method, rather than just a musical instrument. 

Breathing becomes a training of the “one note,” where the breath and the sound of bamboo are intertwined and one cannot exist without the other, abandoning one's own thoughts and considerations.  While it may be difficult to understand intellectually, the more you practice, the more you are shown an endless path and often feel the limits of your own ability.  However, at the same time, there is always a desire to pursue it as long as you live.

The encounter with the Nishino Breathing Method has shed further light on my heart in such circumstances.  The Nishino Breathing Method and the breathing method of Zen Shakuhachi have a common foundation, and there is a lot to learn, such as what it means for the body to relax and how the vibrant energy practiced through the sound of bamboo is released.

Furthermore, as I continue my practice, I also notice the positive impact it has on my daily life.  I feel lighter both in mind and body, and I hope to deepen my understanding and practice of the breathing techniques in the future. 

I also have a strong desire to introduce the Nishino Breathing Method to fellow practitioners of the challenging and demanding practice of Komusō Shakuhachi in Europe.  I am convinced that the Nishino Breathing Method contributes to a healthier body and increased physical endurance.

Under the guidance of the Head Coaches at the Headquarters, I will continue to deepen my practice and hope to spread the benefits to people in Germany.