Sokushin Breathing is one of the basic exercises of the Nishino Breathing Method. Inhalation is through the soles of the feet and, after energy has been circulated throughout the body, exhalation is, again, through the soles. In fact, you are breathing through the nose and exhale through the mouth, but if you do so with an awareness of the soles of the feet, you will feel energy rising upward from the feet to the knees and the thighs to Tanden. Visualize a great tree sucking up water from the earth. Energy that reaches Tanden is steadily propelled upward along the spine. This energy in turn eventually reaches Hyakue. At this point, lightly hold your breath, and then - still on the in-breath－bring the energy from Hyakue to Tanden frontally, along the central line. Finally, while exhaling, direct the energy downward through the soles of the feet into the earth. Because breathing is the link between the universe (exterior) and oneself (interior), it has the potential to trigger a grand liberation within us. At the Nishino Juku, we frequently hear people saying things such as: "After taking up the Nishino Breathing Method (NBM), my inter-personal relationships have gotten a lot smoother!", "Negotiations now come out just as I would like!", "That difficult bank financing has been taken care of!", "I just seem to be getting lucky!", etc. People who experience frequent troubles usually complain that "Nothing ever turns out right" or "Everything always backfires on me". These predicaments are the result of a failure to connect properly to one's surroundings. While hurrying along in a trance, such people have become isolated. Excessive pondering and brooding is also absolutely useless. Of course, it is sometimes necessary to deliberate over one's course of action, but brooding clouds the brain just when clarity is needed for action. To offer a physical explanation, such people are breathing with their shoulders alone, and never achieve deep respiration. In any case, when a person's "ki" is calm and settled, the body is restored to normal healthy functioning. By means of deep breathing, it is possible to naturally restore the link to one's exterior (surroundings). For example, a good baseball pitcher may suddenly falter and begin to throw a string of bad balls. At those times, a great coach will walk calmly and casually to the mound, and have a quiet chat with him. By introduction of this "Ma ai", (gap or brief natural pause in time), the breathing is brought under conscious regulation. In drama and martial arts, the "Ma ai" (interval of time or space) is very important. For example, in dance when the dancer comes before the spectators, it is one person facing many. In this situation, the "Ma ai" is, first, the distance in space between performer and the audience. In addition, there is a "Ma ai" in time between the performer and him- or herself. And finally, establishing a high level of physical performance depends on understanding the "Ma ai" in the breath. Essentially, if one can breathe deeply, and thereby restore responsiveness to one's surroundings, one can regain one's true self. When we encounter adversity, we shouldn't shut down our receptivity and responsiveness to our surroundings. If we want the situation to change, and to become responsive to us, we must first begin to change ourselves. If we can accomplish this, then the situation will naturally begin to change. That is the meaning of the saying "Heaven helps those who help themselves". However, attempting to change oneself by thought, worry, or mental effort is bound to fail. The necessary changes can only come about in accordance with the level of development of the body and breath. With all this in mind, the NBM does not promulgate such superstitious concepts as the frequently heard idea that, after you commence NBM practice and your fortunes naturally take a turn for the better, suddenly "The gods have begun to smile down on you!". Instead, you will come to understand that if the body changes, circumstances will naturally change in response. To those who can heed our straight-forward message, the connection to breath is explained in the same direct way. The Nishino Breathing Method is the way to acquire a slim and resilient body, to call forth your greatest potential abilities, and to make your luck blossom fully. Please visit http://www.nishinojuku.com/english/e_keyword/e_key_top.html to learn more about NBM. Thank You! I Appreciate You! Best Wishes to All. Always Better and Better