L’Oki Do Yoga, founded by Master Masahiro Oki, is a true practical philosophy focused on the growth and development personal toward the truth and theindividual and universal harmony.
It is on the principles of Oki Do Yoga that Educational Yoga is based!
In this article we explain what Oki Do Yoga is, what its goals are, and the principles on which it is based!
What is Oki Do Yoga?
L’Oki Do Yoga is a true philosophy practice devised by Master Masahiro Oki.
Promoting a full awareness of come on vital as event divine permeating, Oki Do focuses on the development human towards the truth.
The practice, in fact, is based on the principle Seimei Soku Kami, “Life is God”: God is not an external entity but resides within each individual; life itself is a manifestation of the divine. Therefore, acting for the good of life means Acting for the sake of God himself (source).
This leads to the realization that the truth and the answers to the great questions of existence lie withinwithin ourselves. Every individual, through reflection and the practice, has the power and responsibility to to explore one’s inner self to discover one’s own truth e define one’s path to spiritual realization.
It is a practice that transcends the individual and extends to all forms of life, with the goal of achieving the fundamental principles of nature and generating the universal well-being.
The starting point of this journey is the achievement of theharmony between body and heart, a goal that is theoretically understandable but practically complex because of the various distortions introduced by anincorrect education.
Therefore, Oki Do Yoga encourages the enrichment of the training paths through awide variety of practices.
Contrary to what one might think, it is not simply a variation of yoga, but rather an effective tool for get to the heart of it e understand all aspects of it in depth..
Oki Do Yoga and Educational Yoga
In summary, theOki Do Yoga is a discipline that promotes the development vital at all its aspects, aiming at the wellness physique, emotional, mental e spiritual Of the individual.
As anticipated in the introduction, it is precisely on the principles of theOki Do Yoga that the practice of Educational Yoga!
Through the practice of Yoga Educational, in fact, younger people are guided in the discovery of themselves, along a path of growth that aims at physical development, emotional e cognitive.
The result is a deep sense of well-being that stems from an increased self-awareness e from the development of key life skills.
As emphasized by the philosophy of Oki Do Yoga, the path Is not limited only to physical appearance, but aims at the Development of a deep understanding of the principles that govern life and the human interactions, encouraging children and young people to pursue a path of personal evolution be of benefit not only to themselves, but also to their family, to their class and to the community in which they live (to learn more, read Yoga for teenagers and Yoga for children)
In fact, Master Oki emphasized the importance of living a life of love e mutual aid, seeing in the common prosperity the true meaning of harmony and, consequently, of true Yoga.
In addition, again in line with the Master’s dictates, the main goal of Educational Yoga is to integrate e orient i traditional educational paths – both school-based and non-school-based – to foster a more balanced growth of children and adolescents.
Who is Master Masahiro Oki
Masahiro Oki was born onNovember 8, 1919 in Korea, from a Japanese family. Born prematurely, from his first year of life he had to struggling to survive.
Meeting with Master Ottama Bhikku at the age of eight introduced him to the principles of yoga e to the teachings of the great prophets of history: Mahavira, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad.
Despite a state of health very precarious, Masahiro became a fervent scholar, especially of medicine e arts martial arts. It was during a training session that a blow to the chest aggravated his tuberculosis, so much so that doctors told him that he would not live more than 20 years.
In addition to this, at the age of fourteen he she loses her father and the consequent responsibilities family throw him into a moment of deep crisis, followed by an enlightenment: knowing that he would not live long, he would devote himself with even greater determination to study, so as to validate his life to the fullest..
His path to global knowledge
This dedication enabled him, at only eighteen years of age, to teach techniques for the development of the body and mind to the Japan’s top military hierarchies, and shortly thereafter to join the army intelligence services ..
His missions as a special agent took him around the world; in India, he had the opportunity to get close to the Gandhi’s philosophy, although at that time he was not yet ready to fully integrate it into his life.
His travels also took him to Arabia and Persia, where he deepened his knowledge ofIslam, but he was also arrested and sentenced to death. His escape, aided by guerrillas, marked a turning point in his spiritual quest, thanks in part to his meeting with key figures such as theAyatollah Mohammed Hoseyn Borujirdi, spiritual father and leader of Iran’s Muslim revolutionaries.
Due to his extensive knowledge in the medical field, he self-diagnosed a cancer of the duodenum which, despite his success in treating others, he was unable to resolve.
This moment of crisis drove him to a deep reflection, culminating in the realization that he should devote himself unconditionally to others and to the spiritual quest.
His life was a continuous journey, both physical and spiritual. The meeting with George Ohsawa, founder of macrobiotics, and the subsequent direction of the Tokyo Macrobiotic Center were just some of the steps along a path that made him a reference point for those seeking a life of balance and harmony with themselves and the world.
His life ended on July 25, 1985, but his teaching, condensed into theOki Do Yoga, continues to inspire people all over the world to seek inner and universal harmony ..
To learn more, read Oki Do to Appreciate the Value of Life, by Yuji Yahiro.
The Goals of Oki Do Yoga
Oki Do Yoga aims at the development of a’existence enriched by love, bymutual aidand shared prosperity, conceiving these practices as the very essence of true yoga.
This practical philosophy is based on the belief that living in tune is the most natural e profitable for human beings, and that through such practices it is possible to build a world of peace.
The goals of Oki Do Yoga are deeply rooted in the creation of a universal community based on common prosperity, thus emphasizing that the individual well-being and the collective are inseparable.
Through the practice of yoga, theOki Do promotes a path of personal growth that not only benefits the individual but also has a positive impact on society as a whole.
Among the goals of Oki Do Yoga we find the desire to Balancing and naturalizing our feelings and thoughts, recognizing how the emotional aspects profoundly influence our perceptions and actions. This rebalancing è vital to start a true path of evolution, for without control over our emotional dimension we can get lost in illusions.
L’Oki Do places special emphasis on two fundamental stages: dhyana e bhakti, which respectively represent the natural condition of the body and heart.
Dhyana invites an authentic and natural perception of reality through careful consideration of posture and movement, while Bhakti promotes an unconditional faith and deep gratitude for every aspect of life ..
As noted above, this approach not only guides toward personal fulfillment but also encourages deep collective harmony and prosperity, emphasizing the importance of a shared evolutionary path to the realization of lasting peace (discover the importance of Yoga in school!).
The difference between Oki Do Yoga and other teachings.
Oki Do Yoga differs from other teachings, including those of a religious nature, in its unique approach that combines theory and practice in a gradual e understandable for all.
Unlike other practices, which do not offer detailed explanations, Oki Do Yoga provides a guide clear e logical on how to develop e put into practice in daily life a religious spirit.
This method makes Oki Do Yoga (and, consequently, Educational Yoga!) accessible to everyone, regardless of individual abilities.
For example, while the Zen focuses on the understanding through theabandonment of words and theimmersion in silence, l’Oki Do Yoga offers a Detailed explanation of its principles and techniques, making the practice more accessible and less susceptible to misinterpretation.
This openness to explanation and to understanding rational distinguishes Oki Do Yoga not only from Zen, but also from all those practices that may present prove difficult for those who do not possess special gifts.
Moreover, while some practices suggest a distinction between those who have direct access to teaching and those who do not, based on alleged innate gifts, Oki Do yoga is proposed as being universally accessible, inviting anyone to embark on the path of spiritual and personal growth.
In this sense, theOki Do Yoga acts as a bridge between the physical world and the spiritual world, offering practical tools and a philosophy of life that can be adopted by anyone who wishes to explore their inner potential e contribute positively to the collective well-being.
The Ten Stages of Oki Do Yoga
L’Oki Do Yoga is based on ten stages which guide the individual toward the satori, or a profound enlightenment e understanding of self and the world.
Here are what are the ten stages of Oki Do Yoga.:
- Yama-Niyama (Kokoro Gamae): represents the moral and self-regulatory principles that are essential for preparing the heart and mind for life’s experiences and the in-depth study of yoga;
- Asana (Mi Gamae): indicates physical postures aimed at stability, both in stillness and in motion, with the ultimate goal of also stabilizing the emotional state. It cannot be separated from Pranayama;
- Pranayama (Genki Hassei): consists of controlling breathing and feeding in order to achieve mind-body awareness and dynamic balance;
- Pratyahara (Seikan Jiritsu Gyoho): indicates control of the senses and emotions, promoting detached and objective observation of reality;
- Dharana (Toitsu Gyoho): this is the concentration that merges physical and mental energy toward a single goal, unifying all vital capacities;
- Dhyana (Zen Jo Gyoho): is the absolutely natural state, achieved through deep meditation, which leads to a state of complete non-attachment and pure perception;
- Bhakti (Hoge Gyoho): indicates unconditional devotion and gratitude to life and its divine essence in order to release thought in a positive way;
- Samadhi (Zammai Gyoho): is a stage of deep union with all that exists, where the individual and the universe cooperate as one;
- Buddhi (Bussho Kehatsu Gyoho): indicates the development of the pure soul, perceiving divinity in every aspect of existence and contributing to universal harmony;
- Prasad (Kanki Hoetsu Gyoho): this is the culmination of human evolution, through which it is possible to perceive the profound joy of unity with the universe and the divine.
Bottom line.
Now you know what Oki Do Yoga is and what its principles e goals! You were also able to learn more about the importance of its founder, the Master Masahiro Oki.
It is on the principles of Oki Do that the teaching of Educational Yoga is based!
If you aspire to become a yoga teacher, the Educational Yoga course, recognized by MIUR, represents the ideal choice for your educational pathway: visit the page dedicated to the courses to become a teacher of Educational Yoga or read our guide how to become a teacher of Yoga for children!
If this topic interests you, learn about the benefits of yoga online.
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Get to know the authors!
A certified instructor of Oki do Yoga, with a master’s degree in “Yoga Studies” from the University of Venice, she is an adjunct lecturer of the advanced training course “Educational Yoga at School” at the University of Padua.
Co-Founder and President of Ssd “Educational Yoga.”
Holding a Ph.D. in Pedagogical, Educational and Training Sciences from the University of Padua. The doctoral thesis focused on the training of trainers in Educational Yoga.
Docent of the advanced training course “Yoga Educativo a scuola.” the Advanced Training Course at UniPd was conceived by the founders of Yoga Educativo, together with Director Prof. Luca Agostinetto.
Co-founder and vice president of Ssd “Educational Yoga.”
