Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit »

Aaron Hoopes has studied the martial arts, Eastern philosophy, and alternative medicine in the United States, Australia, and Japan for the past twenty years. He has a degree in Asian History and Japanese Culture from Tulane University and has spent a number of years in Japan studying under the chief instructor at the headquarters of the Japan Karate Association. He holds a third degree black belt in Japanese Shotokan Karate and is a certified instructor. He is also certified as an instructor of Shanti Yoga and Meditation.

Author Aaron Hoopes explores the basic threads of the self-body, mind and spirit-and demonstrates simple methods of integrating the three through breathing exercises, meditation, focused quietism and conscious living.<%PUBCOMMENTS%>Can we achieve perfection? While true perfection is fleeting, we often achieve a moment of perfection: a state of mind that is just right, a time when we are fully attuned to the needs of our body, mind and spirit. It is the potential for achieving this type of integration that Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit seeks to tap into.

Author Aaron Hoopes explores the basic threads of the self-body, mind and spirit-and demonstrates simple methods of integrating the three through breathing exercises, meditation, focused quietism and conscious living. He considers the body and how we can become more fully aware of it by examining detrimental behaviors, exploring the effect they have and suggesting ways to counter them. In particular, he shows how deep breathing exercises and conscious awareness of the breath constitute a major pathway to physical health and well-being. He then looks the mind and how we can gain more control over our thoughts and feelings. In particular, he focuses on "Quietism" an approach that includes exercises for calming the mind and gaining clarity of thought. Finally, he discusses the spirit, which manifests itself when we have integrated a healthy, connected body with a calm, clear mind.

When integration occurs, every moment of life becomes "perfect." We can live in balance with our self and the world around us. Through breathing and quietism, the quality of life improves. We get sick less often and recoverfaster. Things that bothered us before become insignificant. Feelings of well-being invade us, and we feel ready to tackle any task or obstacle in our path. Follow along as Aaron leads you through simple exercises that will help you:

• Develop healthy habits one step at a time
• Holistically heal and strengthen your body
• Reduce tension and stress through mindful breathing
• Increase your connection between mind and body
• Get in touch with your "Universal Mind"
• Discover the joys of quietism
• Achieve internal balance

BODY

ACCEPT & ADMIT
Accepting the Now
True Seeing
Detriment of Neglect
Smoking
Drinking
Illegal Drugs
Poor Diet
Neglect of Injury
Inactivity
Admitting the Truth

MODERATION & MOTIVATION
Simplicity of Moderation
One Less
Diet of Common Sense
Meals
Awaken the Motivation
Sharpen the Saw
Aerobic Capacity

BREATHING
Breath of Awareness
Subsistence Breathing
Dynamic Breathing
Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic
Posture of Breathing
Sitting Egyptian (easy)
Sitting Crossed (easy)
Sitting Seiza (intermediate)
Sitting Half-Lotus (intermediate)
Sitting Lotus (advanced)
Sitting Arrow (advanced)
Standing Straight (easy)
Standing Balloon (intermediate)
Standing Alternate Balance (intermediate)
Standing Invisible Chair (advanced)
Lying Down Seiza (advanced)
Internal Preparation
Releasing Tension
Secret of Life
Breathing Methods
Attention Breathing
Abdominal Breathing
Reverse Abdominal Breathing
Nose Panting
The Complete Breath

MIND

ORDINARY MIND
Voice of the Self
Attention Thinking
Minding the Mind

UNIVERSAL MIND
Meaning of Life
Extending Time
Essence of Quality

QUIETISM
Environment of Quietism
Regulating Thought
Holding One Point
Lower Dan Tien
Holding One Point (easy)
Huiyin
Breath Focus
Mind's Eye
Expanding the Mind

SPIRIT

UNIVERSAL CONCEPTS
Yin & Yang
Chi

INTEGRATION
The Flow
Body and Mind as One
Meditation

EVERYTHING ZEN
Living the Moment
Heal Thy Self
Perfection