Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences,
Waseda University
Miyata Laboratory
日本語
|
English
Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences,
Waseda University
Miyata Laboratory

Blog

  • Blog
  • Mr. Satoshi Hasegawa gave a special practical session on bodywork in our undergraduate seminar.
Seminar2023.05.29

Mr. Satoshi Hasegawa gave a special practical session on bodywork in our undergraduate seminar.

In the present class of the undergraduate Mind-Body seminar, we were pleased to host a guest instructor Mr. Satoshi Hasegawa for a practical bodywork session. Mr. Hasegawa has continued his practice as a Yamabushi, i.e., a practitioner of Shugendo, while also serving as a Part-time Lecturer at Hitotsubashi University and Sophia University, where he instructs on Eastern somatic education and meditation.


The class began with his conch shell playing, followed by a viewing a movie related to his Shugendo practice. Participants then paired up to experience various somatic exercises. We were able to tangibly experience the influence of the body on the mind, the impact of the mind on the body, etc.

For instance, by introducing the same posture used during waterfall meditation and concentrating focus on the tanden (lower abdomen), we could remain composed even if our partner suddenly opens his/her fingers right in front of our eyes. Moreover, by just imagining "being fresh" or by adopting a mental attitude of "accepting the partner," simply altering our mental approach greatly improves the physical transmission of techniques to the partner.


The underlying concept of these practices, which emphasizes the effectiveness of techniques through relaxation and alteration of mental attitudes, is deeply rooted in Japan's traditional bodily techniques. This mindset can be applied to various domains, including physical performance and musical instrument playing. Mr. Hasegawa conducts his guidance in these multiple fields as well.


Our regular seminars during the Spring Semester primarily focus on basic knowledge in psychology. However, on this particular day, things took a completely different turn and there was a great sense of excitement. Indeed, when you actually use your own body and feel how techniques affect yourself and others, even experiencing it for the first time can be incredibly fascinating. 


Among the students engaged in activities such as baseball, soccer, or dance, it seems that some individuals received personalized guidance on how to adjust their bodies. I believe this was a valuable opportunity that could only be realized through in-person teaching, an experience that is not fully possible with remote learning.

この記事を書いた人
Hiromitsu Miyata
Hiromitsu Miyata

Latest Blog

Category

Archive

Keyword