Yoga: Yoga, High Kicks, And 'Soul' Exercise  

By Miwa Suzuki

Yoga: Yoga, High Kicks, And 'Soul' Exercise  

The craze for walking - described by experts as the best exercise - has taken over Japan.

TOKYO, (AFP) - The flailing arms, high kicks, twists and crouches may look eccentric, but the walking style of exercise guru Duke Saraye is sweeping Japan with its unique mix of yoga, ballet, aerobics and other Oriental and Western ideas.

"Sole is soul - if you don't tread right, your soul won't become clean," 49-year-old Saraye, wearing a trademark black T-shirt and lycra skullcap, told a class of 60 women, young and old during a recent two-hour class at a Tokyo hall.

The moves, which would doubtless win approval from legendary British comedy group Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks, include energetic high-stepping, leg swinging and shoulder rolls, as well as flowing hand movements reminiscent of tai-chi.

"My walking is totally different from conventional styles as it makes people happy and cheerful," he said, explaining his style enables the practitioner to borrow invisible power from the earth to create synergy with his or her own inner energy.

"Sole is soul - if you don't tread right, your soul won't become clean."

Duke Saraye, Japanese exercise guru

Saraye, whose real first name is Takuya but is better known as "Duke," claims to be a descendant of a mountain ascetic who served Emperor Go-Daigo.

Along with videos, his books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, with the number of followers swelling as they believe Duke's Walking has brought them health, weight loss and even good luck.

His latest book, Duke Saraye's One-minute Super Walking Therapy, has sold over 50,000 copies in little more than a month since it was published in late January.

"Even if you come in for a lesson with your spirits low, you will be feeling good by the time you leave."

"The best thing I got from attending his classes is this positive feeling," an amicable Eri Kashiwagi said while taking the evening lesson. "I had shut myself up at home due to mental trouble... or depression, but I was able to change since I started doing this walking last May," the 39-year-old housewife said.

"Even if you come in for a lesson with your spirits low, you will be feeling good by the time you leave," she said.

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See also: Yoga, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)