Makko-ho: Five Minutes Physical Fitness Paperback – 1 October 1973

one of the best books ever

For years I have been doing the Makko Ho stretches without knowing where they originated. So it is great to know their origins And it is such an inspirational story.

Read this book as a kid, when my parents owned a copy, and, I did the exercises. They greatly improved my flexibility, way back then, as I had tendon problems.I still do have tendon problems, now called "Fibromyalgia", but, back then, it was not called anything, except "growing pains". So, I am very happy to have the book back. I know the exercises work, though, it is going to be a much longer haul, this time, in gaining flexibility.

This book is vintage! I could have bought it in the late '70's when I started my Shiatsu training, for the original price of £5 or so. But I didn't, and now it is a rarity. The Makko Ho system is taught widely as preparation for Shiatsu studies but its origins are variously ascribed to different sources. And the exercises have been varied almost as much. I wanted to clarify not only the "what" but also the "why" and the "who" of the Makko-Ho and to find out exactly how the exercises should be performed. Although I doubt if I can ever reach Mr. Nagai's degree of flexibility, I recognize the immense value of these exercises and I am glad I spent the £40 on this used copy so as to get the message from its source.

I bought this book as it was recommended to help a person sit better in meditation. It is very different from other types of stretching / physical fitness books that I've read and used. The promise of `Five Minutes' Physical Fitness' is over blown. In order to gain maximum benefit from this book you'll be stretching 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening in order to make progress. That being said, I do love and recommend this book. There are great photos and diagrams of the proper way to stretch and the improper way to stretch. If it didn't include the photos you wouldn't believe the results. It will take you two to three years to achieve what the photos are showing. If you're looking to improve your flexibility overall or to improve your ability to sit for meditation, then this book would be a good tool for you.