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Hara is a word that has no equivalent in English. Not only does it literally refer to the geographical area of the body roughly described as the lower abdomen but it also is a word replete with psychological and spiritual connotations. To say that someone has "hara" conveys the sense that he is balanced, secure both physically and psychologically.1 From a physical standpoint, the person with hara has a lower center of gravity than does the person with the traditional Western postural ideal of "stomach in and chest out." It is literally more difficult to tip over a person with hara, a principle that is very important in all of the martial arts and in Japanese Sumo wrestling. The person with typical Western posture is top heavy due to muscular tension in the upper body, and thus is less balanced.
To say that someone has hara also conveys the sense that he is in balance emotionally. He does not fly off the handle, he can take in his stride whatever problems come his way. In Japanese, to say that one's hara rose or that one "lost his hara" means that he has lost his temper.