Holistic Medicine in Japan
Story and photographs by Tom Boatman
Published in TGA Eye (January-Mach 2001)
Mention
the term "holistic medicine" these days and you're still
likely to raise an eyebrow or two. Some may envision a tie-died, hippie-dippy,
quasi-religious experience, while others think of a single word: "quack."
On the contrary, a range of disciplines and practices roughly grouped as holistic are entering the mainstream as the west opens its blood-shot, over-medicated eyes to centuries of eastern wisdom—and the east looks toward to its roots. Oddly enough, Japan, the birthplace of many holistic treatments, remains a beat behind the United States in the latest wave. Nonetheless, a strong foundation of holistic thinking is here, and opportunities abound for those seeking alternative treatment.
Holistic simply means "whole" and is based on the idea that regular medical practice limits itself by paying attention only to the physical body. Holistic medicine is concerned with the whole person, including the mental and spiritual dimensions. You'll find that most holistic practitioners will speak of a "oneness" or a union of mind, body and spirit as the true path to physical and mental well being. Not surprisingly, the literal translation of yoga is "union."
CUSP Japan
Working on an ulcer? Biting your nails to the quick? Managing the stress of living in Tokyo is not an easy task, but there is a solution. It's called "releasing," according to practitioners of the Sedona Method , a daily stress-management technique. Created in the 1950s by Lester Levenson —an overworked, hyper-stressed New Jersey physicist/businessman who had suffered a life-transforming heart attack—the Sedona Method has only recently been available in Japan.
Stewart Wyndham of CUSP Japan began offering the Sedona Method in October 1999 and conducts small group sessions with his partner Mako Fujino , who provides Japanese interpretation.
"I offer an integration of the mind and spirit, so people can find a holistic approach to looking at their problems," says Wyndham.
The Sedona Method is based on the theory that there are nine emotions that we all tend to experience: apathy, grief, fear, lust, anger, pride, courageousness, acceptance and peace. In small-group sessions and team exercises held over a weekend, individuals learn that it's okay to experience these emotions and release them, rather than holding back or exploding in anger. The former is called "suppressing" and can lead to cancer, while the latter is called "expressing" and might lead to high blood pressure or a heart attack, according to Wyndham.
"In many cases, blood pressures decrease for those practicing the Sedona Method," he says.
Maybe that's why many large companies, including Exxon, AT&T, Bristol Meyers and Merrill Lynch, have employed it. CUSP offers small-group sessions about every two months, and custom-made corporate sessions are also available. To find out more, contact Wyndham at 03-5285 or stewarw@tkd.att.ne.jp .
Shin Shin Kenkodo
After easing your mind with the Sedona Method, you may feel you need a little more body healing to take care of that lumbago, tennis elbow, trick knee or stiff neck from sitting in front of a computer all day. Why not head over to Nishi-Ogikubo, just west of Shinjuku, to the Shin Shin Kenkodo, or the Body and Mind Health Center? This is a rare find in Tokyo: a combination of hari (Japanese acupuncture), shiatsu and moxibustiuon, administered by English-speaking caregivers.
Toshinobu Kadoya , the head sensei , studied oriental medicine for 13 years before starting his clinic in 1994. Today, he and his staff see about 100 patients a week for a wide range of symptoms: from muscle aches and colds to even cancer.
"I'm afraid there are many doctors who are not tuned into their patients' emotions," says Kadoya.
He employs hari , moxibustion or shiatsu —or a combination of all three, depending on the patient. Moxibustion, or moxa (as it's generally referred to in Japan), involves burning tiny strands of moxa or mugwort grass on pressure points. The heat stimulates the pressure point and helps to activate the body's natural healing power.
If a patient is sensitive to pain or fearful of needles, Kadoya will use shiatsu , the Japanese technique of pressure-point massage.
"Our way is to treat disease with a combination of science and philosophy," says Kadoya. Shin Shin Kenkodo is open until 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 03-3301-2238 for an appointment.
Hobbit Mura building
After being relieved of your stiff neck by Kadoya- sensei , you may want to pass under the Chuo Line tracks to the other side of Nishi-Ogikubo Station and stop by the Hobbit Mura (village) for lunch. This funky building is a little holistic oasis with a restaurant featuring excellent Indian curry, a studio offering free yoga, as well as tai chi classes (sorry, not in English). There's a bookstore with a large selection of English titles on New Age topics, ranging from meditation to magic, as well as CDs, incense and aromatic oils for aromatherapy . It's also a good place to collect information. The steps leading up to the Hobbit Mura bookstore are literally overflowing with flyers for every conceivable holistic or alternative gathering you might encounter in Tokyo: from tribal music to channeling.
International Yoga Center
Ready for some yoga ? "Contemplative," "peaceful" and "serene" are words the greenhorn might use to describe this exercise. But a reality check awaits anyone who sits through one of Ken Harakuma's Ashtanga sessions at the International Yoga Center (IYC) in Ogikubo.
Break a sweat? Take care not to break your back. Actually, Harakuma's breezy manner makes Ashtanga very approachable for the novice. There's no pressure to do the positions that one finds difficult (or impossible).
"The Saturday class is very hot," says Harakuma. "You sweat like crazy."
IYC offers other more sedate forms of Hatha yoga , including Iyengar and Qigong , an ancient Chinese stress-management exercise involving gentle movements. The center has eight teachers offering about 20 classes a week and sometimes hosts visiting instructors offering everything from tai chi to chakra meditation . But yoga is the primary focus at IYC."You can stretch everything: toes, bones, even your hair. But mostly you stretch the spirit," says Harakuma, who claims he's been practicing yoga for 300 years, although IYC has been around since only 1993. For more information, call or fax 03-5397-2741.
Tokyo Yoga Circle 
A much different yoga experience awaits those who attend a session of the Tokyo Yoga Circle in Aoyama. The tranquilizing timbre of Rajay Mahtani 's voice seems to cast a spell over the class as she leads the Iyengar yoga sessions in the Bell Commons building. Mahtani, an Indian born and raised in Japan, studied yoga under B.K.S. Iyengar at the Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India.
According to Mahtani, Iyengar made yoga accessible to millions of people. It encompasses various props like wood blocks, belts and ropes that are designed to make some of the positions easier for the average person to do. But Mahtani stresses that it doesn't matter if someone gets the pose or not; it's the process that counts.
"I only hope that each student walks away with an integration of the mind, body and spirit, and a feeling of tranquility and joy," she says.
Mahtani teaches about 12 classes a week through her company Tokyo Yoga Circle, as well as at the Tokyo American Club (members only). For information, call the Tokyo Yoga Circle at 03-3582-3505.
"[Concerning the current yoga boom,] maybe people are turning inward because they are not finding what they need on the outside," says Mahtani.
Inside or outside, there's plenty guidance to discover in Tokyo if you know where to look.
