Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts

12/13/2025

“The Power of Conviction”

People today may hear something good, feel impressed, and think, “That’s great,” yet it never truly becomes part of their own mind. This is because, without realizing it, they are missing something essential within: firm conviction. Or rather, instead of it being completely missing, it might be better to say that this conviction has simply been pushed down to the bottom, buried out of sight.

In any case, the power of conviction is the fundamental force that allows all things—whatever they may be—to be brought to full completion. — Nakamura Tempu

Purchase the first books in English on Nakamura Tempu’s original Japanese yoga and meditation at www.MichiPublishing.com.

12/12/2025

“A Calm Mind”

A truly calm mind is what lets you see things clearly, and that clear awareness is what lets you control your actions—whether fast or slow, strong or gentle—exactly the way you need to. That’s why people who’ve mastered martial arts, or anyone who’s refined their skills to a near-perfect level, all rely on this same principle.

Knowing this, we should respect this truth, keep it in mind, and try to stay composed in our everyday words and actions, no matter the situation. — Nakamura Tempu

Read about Nakamura Tempu’s groundbreaking Japanese yoga, meditation, and philosophy at www.MichiPublishing.com.

12/09/2025

“The mind influences the body.”

This truth is really quite serious. No matter how people try to dress up their own explanations, the nervous system isn’t something controlled only by the body. It directly reflects the activity of the mind and under that influence it carries out the processes that keep us alive. — Nakamura Tempu

Learn more about Nakamura Tempu’s revolutionary Japanese yoga, meditation, and philosophy at www.japanese-yoga.com. And for worldwide online classes in English, check out H. E. Davey’s affordable Zoom classes at www.tempuyoga.com.

12/09/2025

12/08/2025

Interested in Nakamura Tempu’s Japanese yoga? Follow Tempu Yoga: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561841384973

12/06/2025

12/06/2025

“Let the flower garden of your mind burst into a profusion of blossoms.”

There is a very effective way to clear out the unnecessary thoughts that linger in the mind. It is to make a steady effort, in everyday life, to consciously turn the images you picture in your mind into positive ones. You should keep the flower field of your imagination in full bloom, overflowing with variety. This, too, becomes a matter of habit.

Everyone has spare moments. Even if it’s only for two or three minutes, during such times it’s important to quietly close your eyes so you won’t get distracted, and project onto the inner screen of your mind images that you enjoy—images that make you feel happy. — Nakamura Tempu

Read more about Nakamura Tempu’s groundbreaking philosophy and meditation techniques in Michi Publishing’s paperbacks and ebooks. Learn more at www.MichiPublishing.com.

Photo by Ann Kameoka.

12/04/2025

The mind-body connection is REAL. There is an intricate relationship between our mental and physical health.

Thinking about a stressful situation activates the hypothalamus in the brain, which triggers the HPA (hypothalamaic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, a stress-response system. This axis releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland, which in turn sends adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands then release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body to respond to a perceived threat, even if the threat is merely a thought.

If these stress hormones remain elevated chronically, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms like no libido, extreme weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, brain fog, even autoimmune and other chronic diseases.

Conversely, positive thoughts create healing compounds and promote recovery by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and altering brain chemistry. By lowering stress hormones and increasing restorative neurotransmitters, a calm state enhances the body’s natural capacity for healing.

The vagus nerve is the main neural pathway for the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system. Stimulating the vagus nerve through calming thoughts and activities helps to: lower stress hormones such as cortisol, reduce inflammation throughout the body, decrease heart rate and blood pressure.

Calm, intentional thought patterns also stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that acts like “fertilizer” for the brain. BDNF promotes healing and growth in the brain by:

📑Encouraging neurogenesis: the growth of new brain cells.

📑Enhancing neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This is a critical factor in recovery from brain injuries and mental health disorders.

📑Protecting existing neurons from stress-induced damage.

FOR MORE INFO VISIT: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/

Quote on photo from @ drmarkhyman’s instagram ❤️

12/04/2025

“Letting Go of Unhelpful Habits”

It’s really best to avoid speaking in a negative or complaining way. When we do, it can give the impression that we’re not fully in charge of our own thoughts and emotions.

Some people believe that expressing dissatisfaction is what brings progress, but in reality, it often leaves them feeling swept around by the ups and downs of life. If you want to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life, try letting go of this habit and work each day on cultivating a more positive mindset—one that helps you move through life’s challenges with confidence. — Nakamura Tempu

Read more at www.MichiPublishing.com.

Photo by Ann Kameoka.

12/04/2025

A 2023 Meta-Analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, encompassing 97 reviews, 1,039 trial and a substantial 128,119 participants, found that physical activity was significantly more effective than either counseling or common antidepressants in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological disorders.

The largest benefits were observed in individuals with depression, pregnant, and postpartum women, and those diagnosed with HIV or kidney disease suggesting a wide range of applicability.

There are incredible neurochemical and brain health benefits gained from regular exercise. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, natural brain chemicals that act as mood elevators and pain relievers. Physical activity also increases the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which are crucial for regulating mood, focus and attention.

Exercise also improves blood flow to the brain, which increases oxygen and energy supply, leading to better brain performance and enhanced cognitive processes like memory and attention. Exercise also promotes the growth of new brain cells (neurogenesis) and strengthens connections between existing ones, particularly in the hippocampus, which plays a key role in mood regulation.

There are also incredible psychological and lifestyle benefits of regular exercise. Achieving fitness goals and feeling stronger and more confident can significantly boost self-esteem, which is often diminished in people with depression. Regular physical activity can also help you fall asleep faster and improve the overall quality of your sleep, which is vital for managing depression.

By improving the body’s ability to manage stress and promote relaxation, exercise offers an effective tool for reducing symptoms. Furthermore, starting an exercise routine can inspire other positive changes, such as making healthier dietary choices or reducing alcohol and drug use, which can further alleviate depression symptoms.

PMID: 15361924, 32922236

12/04/2025

“Nothing is more essential for sustaining life than air. Whether during the day or at night, even on cloudy days, make a point of frequently stepping outside—onto a veranda, terrace, or balcony—and breathing fresh air, even if only for a short time. This practice is especially important to maintain during the winter season.”

“What is particularly inspiring is that yogic breathing is designed not only to invigorate the vital force of the physical body, but also to extend its beneficial effects into the subtle, noble realm of what may be called spiritual intelligence.”
—Nakamura Tempu, “Renshinshō”

Nakamura Tempu Sensei taught over a dozen different breathing exercises based on his intensive yoga training at the foot of the Himalayas in the early 1900’s. His approach was to simplify and streamline these esoteric exercises, so that the average person can quickly revitalize their mind and body.

For the first time in over 100 years, H. E. Davey is teaching these life changing methods online and in English. Visit www.TempuYoga.com and learn how you can join his international dojo.

12/03/2025

“Let’s live with some dignity.”

Think about it: even if you lived a few hundred years—or just a hundred—in the grand scale of this huge universe, it’s all just a moment, like a passing dream. Since our time here is short, let’s try to make every moment count. — Nakamura Tempu

Read more at www.MichiPublishing.com.