Brazil A.S. (60 years old, female)

[As the person in charge of a sports club run by the city]

　In the city of São Paulo, the sports clubs run by the city started in May 2007 and currently have 44 locations. I am in charge of the sports club in the northern part of the city (a staff member and a civil servant of the São Paulo City Sports Bureau). Five thousand citizens use this sports club to prevent illness and to improve their health, including participating in various sports.
　Facilities include soccer fields, tennis courts, gym equipment, swimming pools, indoor stadiums, halls and parking lots. Under the instructor, one can play soccer, tennis, swimming, water polo, underwater exercise (walking), judo, karate, dance, tai chi, etc.
　At the sports club, we encourage citizens to participate in communities (community exchanges), improve the environment, and promote health promotion.
　Specifically, under the theme of “human health,” we set up doctors’ consultation days three times a week. We also hold seminars by doctors, medical professionals and/or nutritionists in the field of food. In addition, by promoting various sports programs on a daily basis, it not only promotes health but also prevents misconduct by adolescents.
　With the support of the government and local governments, participation in sports clubs by all citizens is free of charge. The city of São Paulo has contracted with a company to support the sports clubs, accepting excellent human resources from various fields.
　The fact that these activities are carried out in collaboration with local governments and citizens is highly evaluated as an activity that brings social value.
　The community we are working on is positioned as a model for the entire city of São Paulo, and its programs are being introduced to other cities in São Paulo, each state and city in the country, and even abroad.
　I truly feel joy and purpose in promoting the health of the citizens.

[Encounter with MOA]

　Under these circumstances, around March 2009, Mrs. S (female, 70s), who became acquainted through the former director of the São Paulo City Sports Bureau, came to the sports club and introduced us to MOA. I sympathized with the Okada Health and Wellness Program, which aims to create a bright and prosperous family. I felt that the MOA philosophy and the Okada Health and Wellness Program were very unique.
I was fascinated by the appearance of the MOA Healthy Life Network (hereinafter referred to as the Network), which is working brightly and vigorously in the hope of the health of the citizens. I started to actively participate in the exhibition of flower arrangements and the MOA Museum of Art Children’s Art Exhibition.
　I was deeply impressed by the fact that the Okada Health and Wellness Program view the human body, mind, and spiritual aspects as one and offer actions toward it. I felt that this was a philosophy for living. I had been looking for such a philosophy for a long time.
　In September, I registered as a member of MOA since I wanted to expand this activity to the local community.

[As a volunteer Okada Purifying Therapy therapist]

　I value each person who comes to the sports club based on Okada’s idea that “one person is connected to society and ultimately to the world.” In addition, in the hope of the health and happiness of the users, our club conveys the state of the Okada Health and Wellness Program with videos and photos, and introduces the Health Promotion Seminars to those who wish.
　The MOA Health Promotion Seminar at a sports club, which started based on Mrs. S’s proposal in June 2010, is consistent with the theme of “human health,” which is our wish for sports clubs. With the hope of a “healthy mind and body,” we work with the Network to introduce MOA activities, including Purifying Therapy and the Arts and Culture Program (flower and tea ceremony), and sell Nature Farming method produced vegetables.
　I myself have had the experience of being relieved of headaches and shoulder stiffness through Purifying Therapy. Rather than someone in charge of the sports club, but as a citizen as well as a therapist, I truly wanted to “promote healthy citizens” through Purifying Therapy.
　Today, I am a big fan of MOA activities. I understand that what we are doing at the sports club is what Okada wants.

[Continuous treatment of Purifying Therapy for sports club staff and residents]

　After discussing “how can we continue to carry out the Okada Health and Wellness Program” with everyone in the Network, from August, we began to utilize a room in the sports club every Monday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. to practice Purifying Therapy to staff and citizens who came to the club.
　At the beginning, we accepted six volunteer therapists, but now we have increased to 18 volunteers and the number of participants exceeds 40 per day.
　Under these circumstances, we held a “Purifying Therapy Certification Course” every Friday from October. At the course, I encourage participants to “volunteer for people and society together with me.”
　In addition, I talked with the Network members about promoting three Okada Health and Wellness Programs to promote the health of the citizens. From May 2011, we started not only Purifying Therapy but also the Dietary Program (selling of MOA Nature Farming method and organic farming vegetables) and the Arts and Culture Program (flowers, etc.).
While appealing the importance of foods to those who are receiving Purifying Therapy, some of them began purchasing Nature Farming method produced vegetables and/or began incorporating beauty into their life like making flower arrangements that leads to physical and mental health. We try to share the total picture of the Okada Health and Wellness Program.

[Changes in participants (impressions)]

　The people who participated in the course commented, “I feel very good after experiencing the Okada Health and Wellness Program.” Here are some of their comments:
　(a) Mr. A, who received continuous Purifying Therapy for one month, had less severe pain during urination due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. His doctor also was surprised with his improvement.
　(b) Mr. B, who was introduced by a friend who had his headache relieved after receiving Purifying Therapy, was surprised that the dizziness caused by otitis media was alleviated by one treatment. He is now receiving Purifying Therapy continuously.
　(c) Mrs. C, who lost her husband, could not sleep for many years without taking medicine, but she was surprised that she could sleep after two Purifying Therapy sesssions.
Others have improved their stomach ulcers and diabetes, and relieved back and knee pain. Many elderly people are coming, but along with physical changes such as relieving pain in their legs and back, it is also possible to improve their life itself by realizing the importance of thinking and living that values gratitude.
　Also, from the people who participated in the Health Promotion Seminar, “I was very interested in improving mental and physical health.” “I experienced the Okada Health and Wellness Program for the first time and felt very relaxed. I would like to continue taking it.” Many impressions such as these were received. Participants are able to experience the effects of learning and experiencing the Okada Health and Wellness Program through seminars.

[Toward the expansion of the “Okada Health and Wellness Program Practice Project”]

　In October 2011, there was a meeting with Director A of the São Paulo City Sports Bureau, which controls 44 sports clubs. Director A is always hoping for the health promotion of the citizens and accepts the idea of the Network and the Okada Health and Wellness Program to be incorporated into the sports club. Through the discussion, we decided to expand the “Okada Health and Wellness Program Practice Project” conducted at our sports clubs to other sports clubs.
　Under these circumstances, the city’s sports bureau has decided to produce an activity introduction video to encourage more citizens to participate in the sports clubs. The first of these was the sports club I was in charge of, and the video was shot in August 2012.
　At that time, the state of practice of the Okada Health and Wellness Program centering on Purifying Therapy and interviews with MOA officials were recorded. This introductory video will be played on the Internet and at each ward office. I feel it is a great significance in introducing the Okada Health and Wellness Program that is practiced at sports clubs to all citizens.
　I would like to continue to cooperate with the people of the Network in implementing the Okada Health and Wellness Program to help prevent illnesses, improve health, and create people who are motivated to contribute to society.