Ai’s Room ❤️ – Part 2
【Text／ Ai】
*This English translation was generated by AI.
In June, Belgrade’s temperatures suddenly soared—reaching 25–30 °C by day—and summer is truly on its way. Just a while ago, everyone kept saying HLADNO (“cold”)—so where did spring go?
Despite this weather change, the reception area at S A I S E I Hospital has transformed from autumn leaves to cherry blossoms (springtime 🌸), welcoming visitors with a bright, uplifting atmosphere. When I see cherry blossoms, I feel a nostalgic connection to Japan. The garden also features bamboo, allowing you to sense the greenery of Japan at any time. Just the other day, I spotted a small bamboo shoot in the garden! Having lived in Kyoto, I fondly remember this season when bamboo shoots were sold at farm stalls, and dishes like salted boiled shoots, tsukudani, pickles, and bamboo rice graced our table. (I miss those so much!) At S A I S E I Clinic, we truly offer a “Be in touch with nature” space.
Recently, I’ve become obsessed with hiking, joining weekly tours across Serbia—breathing in the fresh forest air, detoxifying my body and soul. Experiencing nature with all your senses, taking in pure oxygen, is tremendously beneficial for building a healthy body. S A I S E I Clinic offers treatments aligned with this concept. Though “treatment” often brings illness to mind, the one I’m about to introduce is minimally invasive and suitable even for healthy individuals.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is commonly associated with athletes’ recovery. Indeed, worldwide, pro athletes—including Shohei Ohtani, Naoko Takahashi, Cristiano Ronaldo—use hyperbaric oxygen chambers for fatigue recovery, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. NBA star LeBron James even has one at home! Interestingly, S A I S E I Clinic uses the same device as his.
What is hyperbaric oxygen?
It’s an environment with pressure higher than normal atmospheric pressure (about 1.3–2.0 atmospheres). Breathing 100% oxygen in this setting increases oxygen supply throughout the body—even to the capillaries. Higher blood oxygen levels promote cellular repair, regeneration, and metabolism—activating oxygen’s beneficial effects.
Oxygen in the body:
- Produces energy for cellular life
- Removes waste (like CO₂)
- Supports immune function (fighting pathogens)
- Aids cell division and collagen synthesis for wound healing and angiogenesis
- Maintains brain function (oxygen deficiency causes drowsiness)
- Helps recover and energize muscles and the heart
Oxygen is a silent helper—life is sustained because of it. Our bodies are truly miraculous ❤️
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers accelerate these effects. Slow breathing inside the capsule also improves systemic circulation, enhancing benefits further.
Potential side effects: Due to pressure changes like on an airplane, some may feel ear discomfort. Claustrophobic individuals might feel uneasy. At S A I S E I Hospital, we conduct a preliminary medical interview, provide explanations, and get informed consent. (People with chronic conditions or hypertension may require blood tests or their doctor’s approval. )Each treatment lasts 1–2 hours, adjusted per health status. Eating or drinking inside the capsule isn’t allowed, but phones or laptops are welcome, so you won’t be bored.
My experience: My nasal inflammation caused some ear discomfort during pressure increase—but swallowing saliva eased it. Others feel nothing. My soccer-player son—even when visiting from Croatia—always falls asleep once inside (haha).
Benefits of HBO:
- Boosts immunity
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves blood circulation
- Stabilizes autonomic nervous system
- Activates parasympathetic nervous system
- Relieves chronic pain
- Speeds recovery from musculoskeletal injuries
- Enhances sports performance and supports athletes in reaching peak results
For many, there are added benefits—relaxation, refreshment, improved circulation aiding skin and hair turnover. Personally, I believe it acts as an internal detox, which is important—Belgrade’s air quality suffers from car exhaust, heating emissions, and coal power plant pollution, especially near October–November when fog worsens. Taking in pure oxygen helps clear accumulated toxins. It’s also great for fatigue recovery and easing hangovers. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is rare in Serbia but accessible to everyone, not just athletes.
Hiking in Nature
As a self-proclaimed athlete and nurse, I’ve pursued many sports since living in Japan. Around age 40, I discovered marathon running—experiencing the thrill of finishing and the taste of post-race beer (of course!). I eventually participated in the Belgrade Full Marathon, placing 49th out of 150—arguably mediocre—but I was the first Japanese runner!
Now, I’m completely hooked on hiking in Serbia ❤️. And it’s nothing like a casual forest walk—it’s survival hiking through wild trails.
I join tours by Trinity, whose slogan is: Korak ka prirodi, Korak ka sebi (“A step to nature, a step to yourself”) —so inspiring! They offer levels 1–6: easy trails for families, moderate slopes, and full mountain climbs. Serbia has abundant hiking groups year-round, reflecting the country’s many mountains, rivers, valleys, and hills. I even sometimes find stray dogs joining the group —they follow from start to finish and rest alongside us. That kind of scene feels very different from Japan 🐶
In June—peak hiking season—I joined a level 3 hike in southern Serbia at Jastrebac (meaning “hawk’s nest”) with my eldest son, who plays soccer in Croatia. We met at 6:15 AM, took a 2.5-hour bus ride, and started hiking at 9:30 AM. We climbed, descended, and took breaks, finishing around 5 PM. We brought water and snacks, then ate in a mountain restaurant before heading back. We got home by around 9 PM.
Guides (2–3) spoke Serbian and English, sharing rich knowledge—from plants to breathing techniques. When fatigue sets in, they always check in with a gentle “može?” (“Are you okay?”). I admire their ability to adjust rest times based on participants’ conditions and still keep to schedule. Trails can be overgrown with fallen trees and change due to weather—full of survival excitement. Yet the group leads 10+ participants to the finish on time—an amazing skill!
I love their “Silent Hike”: for the first 20 minutes, no talking—just quiet steps, feeling nature’s sounds and wind, practicing breathing techniques. It’s a true detox with the forest’s negative ions.
Along the trail, we encountered snakes, frogs, turtles, and some familiar plant species from Japan—but also completely new ones. Jastrebac’s forest of cedar, beech, and pine created a magical world with sunlight filtering through. At the summit, the view was breathtaking: layers of hills and valleys dotted with Serbian orange-roofed villages. After 7.5 hours of hiking, my calves were sore the next day—but thanks to fresh oxygen, the fatigue felt pleasant. My mind was thoroughly refreshed—perfect recovery to tackle another week.
Their hikes are full ideas, with all kind of trails and places to explore. The new encounters and discoveries keep me inspired and curious. If you’re interested, please try a tour with Trinity—Serbia’s nature truly heals body and soul 🌳. Next week, I’m doing a “night hike”: leaving at midnight, watching the sunrise from the summit, and returning afterwards. I can’t wait to see the sights ❤️ (I’ll report back next issue). You’ll find a link below!
In Summary
I’ve introduced hyperbaric oxygen therapy and hiking—both excellent ways to incorporate oxygen for building a healthy body. As a nurse and a athlete, I integrate professional knowledge into my wellness routine. Conscious intake of good oxygen activates our cells—a key strategy for health and prevention. Like with Ashiyu(foot baths), improving circulation enhances the benefits of oxygen uptake.
Want to build a healthy body and prevent illness? Try S A I S E I Hospital’s hyperbaric oxygen capsules and Trinity’s hiking tours for a strong start! (Yes, Both are excellent immunotherapies !!! ) Thank you again for reading ❤️.
Trinity Method
“Trinity Method is a holistic performance framework that combines sports science, functional medicine and mindful living to elevate how people move, feel and think. Trinity Nature represents its “outdoor pillar,” translating those principles into carefully curated hikes that reconnect participants with the wild, regulate the nervous system and build resilient community through shared experience.”
S A I S E I ｜S E R B I A
info@saiseiserbia.com
+381-668035888
Borisavljevićeva 76 Voždovac, Beograd
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