Hara New Year

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Ring in 2026 with a 21-day practice period discovering Hara

Jan 5-25, 2026

Hara is a Japanese word that refers to the lower abdomen, but has no English equivalent. Hara is best understood in terms of breathing. But, it is also the unification of one’s physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Hara development is fundamental to Chosei Zen training — enabling deep samadhi (relaxed concentration of no-self) and generation of ki (vital energy). Join the Hara New Year practice period and charge into 2026 hara-first!

What’s involved?

  • Daily Hara Development supported by an online course

  • Daily Zazen (30 min), preferably in the Virtual Dojo (US and Europe)

  • Weekly Check-ins in real-time or video-recorded

 

When is it?  January 5 - 25, 2026

Weekly schedule

  • Optional: Jan 4 Intro to zazen class

  • Start: Jan 5 at 7:30 CT / 1:30pm CET (30 min)

  • Check-in: Jan 12 & 18 at 7:30am CT / 1:30pm CET (30 min)

  • Close: Jan 25 at 7:30am CT / 1:30pm CET (1 hour)

Weekly focus

  1. Getting started

  2. Somatic exercises

  3. Deepening the inhale & exhale

 

Who’s it for?

This training is for existing students of Chosei Zen and the Institute for Zen Leadership, followers of the Hara Development Blog and Hara Foundations course, new & experienced meditation practitioners who are open to learning more about hara and willing to commit to practice during this period.

Who’s Teaching?

The Hara New Year practice period is hosted by Chosei Zen and the Institute for Zen Leadership & led by Zen teachers in the Chosei Zen lineage of Rinzai Zen.

 

Kenneth Setsuzan Kushner

Abbott Emeritus and founder of Chosei Zen; head of Chozen-ji Kyudo (Zen archery); psychologist and Professor Emeritus; emphasizes hara development.

 

Ellen Eisoku McKenzie

Priest at Chosei Zen; co-creator of Hara Foundations course; bodyworker, Hanna Somatics practitioner, and TRE provider; practices kyudo and kado (Zen flower).

 

Ginny Jiko Whitelaw

Founder of the Institute for Zen Leadership; embodied leadership expert, teaches through the lens of leadership, energy, nature, and the science of resonance.

 

Rebecca Yakumei Ryan 

Co-Lead of Chosei Zen Virtual Dojo and Chosei Zen Board Chair; futurist, economist, and strategist; teaches through the lens of social change and creating a future we want.

 

Heather Meikyo Scobie

Co-Lead of Chosei Zen Virtual Dojo and Co-Executive of Chosei Zen; public health expert; emphasizes sound training and ways to strengthen solo practice.

What else?

  • If you’re new to our Rinzai style of meditation emphasizing hara breathing, posture, concentration, and no extraneous movement, consider joining our introductory class or familiarizing yourself with some resources.

  • The Hara New Year practice period is offered on a donation basis. What’s a typical donation? Something you can afford; some think of it in terms of a cup of coffee ($2-$5) per day.

DONATE

What now?

  • Register for Hara New Year to be sent the schedule, link for online discussions, and more information.

REGISTER