Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit [Paperback]

Aaron Hoopes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

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 recover faster. 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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brings the physical body together with a peaceful mind to enable the spirit to develop." -- Dr. Jane E. Rogers

"Easy to read, full of wisdom. Explores the basic threads of the self through breathing and calming the mind." -- Kristen Trezza, RD

"Wonderfully inspiring!" -- Sandra Goodman, PhD, Positive Health Magazine

About the Author

Aaron Hoppes has taught his methods at Tulane University, Dartmouth College, the Sakai Shibu in Osaka and the Shanti Yoga Meditation Institute in Australia. He holds a degree in Asian history from Tulane University and is also the author of Update: Japan (Intercultural Press).

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Turtle Press (CT) (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880336685
• ISBN-13: 978-1880336687
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,697,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Aaron Hoopes is the founder of Zen Yoga a blend of Tai Chi, Qigong and Shanti Yoga. He has studied martial arts, yoga and Eastern healing traditions for twenty-five years in Japan, Australia and the US. Zen Yoga focuses on proper breathing, moving and stretching techniques that are available to anyone regardless of age or physical ability.
Aaron lives in the mountains of Vermont with his wife Elfeya and their cat Katana where they run the Zen Yoga & Healing Arts Center.
A new Zen Yoga DVD will be released in 2010 as well as The Zen Anti-Diet paperback.
Please visit the Zen Yoga website: www.artofzenyoga.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From: The Healing Breath journal, September 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit (Paperback)

Aaron Hoopes offers a framework for understanding the coordination of body, mind and spirit based on his own practical experience of teaching Martial arts, Shanti Yoga and meditation. I enjoyed the straightforward and uncomplicated writing style, and the good quality paper and printing layout made reading it a pleasure. Having read many books on the art of living, I realise that this one contains the essence of them without frills or personal anecdotes. Someone coming to the subject completely fresh will receive a great deal of sensible advice and can start the journey towards self understanding with comfortable reassurance that the author knows what he is writing about.

Part One, the Body, introduces readers to their own physical body and the basic requirements for it to function well. There will be those who have no idea of what they should ideally eat and drink, while for others it will be a reminder of why it is a good idea to give up certain habits completely or at least adopt a policy of moderation in them all. "The body in which we exist is our present reality and that is the only place from which we can begin a quest for perfection" the author says, and gives in detail well known ways to keep it healthy. Avoid, of course, drugs, drink, and over eating, and don't forget your aerobic exercise.

The section introducing Conscious Breathing explains why it is a good idea to increase the lung capacity through increased diaphragm movement. Many people have only a vague idea that they should breathe properly, but do not know how. The author describes what he calls Attention breathing and Abdominal breathing. He includes a few Dynamic breathing exercises with photos to illustrate the postures necessary for their practice. His own strong convictions and belief in the power of developing breathing to bring about harmony and a relaxed approach to life should inspire readers to start breathing deeply and smoothly as they read on.

Next, three concepts are introduced: the Ordinary Mind, the Universal Mind, and Quietism. The Ordinary mind is the world of the Ego and unconsciousness and the one we function from most of the time We are a mass of moving moods with the Ego controlling these.. For someone in a state of confusion and wanting to learn to become focused, just sitting still for five minutes is a starting point. The next step is learning to accept all thoughts, without judging any of them negatively.. From there you advance to realising your real nature, which connects to the Universal Mind, a way of thinking where you see "the essential unity behind the changing experiences and phenomena of life" and after practice you will have calmed the Ordinary Mind and accessed this place of peace and tranquillity.

"Quietism is the state of pure calmness unfazed by the rapid pace of the world around and within us..." The author advocates developing this beautiful state of mind through the practice of focusing, or just watching and noticing, a natural scene, such as the sky, trees, the sea, mountains or fire. Concentrating on the qualities of the scene, such as fluidity, or solidity, you become identified with the subject itself. Then the focus is narrowed to a part of the body itself, aided by different breath counting methods. The idea is to gain control over the mind through these concentration exercises and attain a deep state of Quietism within yourself. The author's tone is encouraging and it is all made to sound attainable to anyone prepared to practice regularly. You are then ready to develop spiritual consciousness.

The author links the elusive idea of spirit to the balance of opposites, of yin and yang, with yoga exercises one way of achieving this in the body. From his training in the practice of yoga, Shiatsu, Chi Gung and other martial arts, he offers a variety of exercises to coordinate the body and mind, energise the body so that feelings of well being and spiritual awakening can be felt. Finding your spirit may prove overwhelming, so he provides a chapter on integrating the new developments and enjoying your life much more. Meditation and breathing practices are seen as keys to all the progress you make.

This is a gentle and wise guide to perfecting yourself, or in other words, creating yourself as you would like to be, reaching your potential, and living peacefully. You certainly need to have a certain determination and focus to be able to follow the instructions to get results, and to be motivated to do so. The book will be appreciated by those seeking a practical Buddhist based approach to developing inner strength.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!, February 20, 2002

By 

Brenda Hancock (Enfield, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit (Paperback)

People who have any amount of stress in their lives must read this book. It reminds us how important it is to pay attention to and understand ourselves, as that is the key to benefiting ourselves and others and dealing with outside influences. It offers incredible insight into the mind and how it works. I find the breathing exercises extremely helpful. One of the best "self-help" books I've ever read. Love this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfecting elevates Common Sense, August 2, 2005

By 

J. K. Loomis "licensed massage therapist" (Glastonbury, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Perfecting Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit (Paperback)

What a wonderful common sense book! The title alone intrigued me. To a self help junkie, it sounded different from many others. As someone who works with integrating body, mind and spirit in the work I do with my clients, I am always looking for another approach to offer.
It isn't that this book is radically new, in fact, it deals with eastern wisdom traditions but in such a simple, clear way that it is a delight to read. Also, common sense is not common but this book makes it accessible and enjoyable. Best yet, the suggestions offered by the author realy work. I highly recommend it!