The Hara

Have you ever wondered why many dogs love to have their bellies massaged?
In the Japanese tradition the belly or Hara, is accepted as an Energetic as well as Physical center. In America we refer to what the Japanese call the "Hara", as our core, center or gut. More and more studies suggest that our intuition and gut reactions to situations emanate from our gut rather than our brain.  How about dogs?  Do they have feelings?  Perhaps their reactions: trust, love, fear, aggression are manifested in their core as well?  

“Thus the abdomen is more than the physical center, the cavity in which the organs reside. It is the residence of the source of the body’s energies, the energetic center from which life springs. Understanding this, understanding the condition of the center, is center to promoting wellbeing.  Thus diagnosing and treating the Hara is central to the practice of Oriental medicine.”

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  Hara Diagnosis: Reflections on the Sea.  Kiiko Matsumoto & Stephen Birch