Makko-Ho | Japanese Stretches for Flexibility

Published: Apr 8, 2021 | Revised: May 14, 2022
Edited by: Team TB

Japanese Makko-Ho | Stretches

Makko-Ho is a series of stretches created by Mr Wataru Nagai (1889 – 1963). His son Haruka Nagai wrote them down and the first book about Makko-Ho was published in 1972.

The series of four simple stretches is based on ancient Buddhist “bows” and “sermon listening poses” and is claimed to be beneficial for the body, notably to attain more flexibility. The practice takes only five minutes and is intended to be done once or twice a day.

Doing Makko-Ho may help prevent atrophy, improves blood and lymph circulation, stimulates the nervous system, benefits joints and an increased range of motion, and promotes spinal health.

Today, you will often see Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts added to the exercises, such as Meridian and Dantian (Dan Tien) theory, but originally the founder created them simply to gain more flexibility.


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