HI Tomo thanks for talking about this. I am a physician and had always thought anxiety was just a mental state until it happened to me. I was about 40 years old, and was getting a patient ready for a procedure interviewing him. He was there with his wife and looked a little like me and was my age. He had a newly diagnosed cancer (lethal) and was there to get a vascular line put in by me in order to receive chemo. As I was talking with him I started feeling dizzy. So I went into the other room where the beds were and lied down. Started shaking and had trouble breathing. My mind immediately determined I must be sick probably sepsis from some infection. I ordered my resident to draw blood to send for culture. was giving orders telling the nurse start an IV on me and get an ecg. I thought I must be really sick. Had them wheel me to the ER . I explained to my colleague the ER doc I was septic with some strange infection, He looked at me and said "maybe, yet let me give you a little benzodiazepine like drug to at least relax you while we figure out what is wrong ". As soon as the drug went in I was completely normal. He told me I had just had a panic attack. What was so surprising to me was the physical component. I wasn't thinking at the time about anxiety or being anxious. It is almost like having a seizure run through your body. Only in retrospect did I put two and two together that seeing the patient that looked like me being so sick created inner, below the level of consciousness extreme anxiety. I then looked back at my life objectively and realized I had this thing "anxiety" all the time. I remembered sometime when I walk into a large store with a lot of stimuli I get a little dizzy not nervous. I always had thought I must have some strange medical condition when that happened. Everyone has worry and anxiety it is normal. The difference with anxiety disorder is it is a biochemical predisposition to having this release of adrenaline or sympathetic response inappropriately. I am very thankful you created this video as sometimes being different in anyway is very isolating as there is no one to share your story with making you feel isolated.

living with autism and social anxiety disorder is a challenge every day. The worst part is when people think I have overcome the disorder because I have done things like travelling around the world by myself. Anxiety disorders aren't something you overcome, you just learn how to deal with them. I explain to people I am able to do the things I do, not because I have conquered my anxiety, but it is more like the person who has a fear of heights who takes up sky diving. I refuse to let it stop me

If your mind is in the past, you are depressed. If it´s in the future, you have anxiety. If you´re living Now, you´re ok. Good man Mr Fujita..wish you all the best.

Hi Tomo, I am 72 years old and I am also a cancer patient, so anxiety lives permanently inside me. I try to fight it with small things but that personally help me a lot, like improving my guitar sound with the few things I can afford, or composing my own music, but also listening to you ( having you as a teacher and friend would be a dream ) makes me feel better. Thank you very much for this video, a big hug🤗

Tomo you're always so good about reducing other people's anxiety. "Be kind to yourself. Don't expect too much too soon. Practice slowly and be patient"- guitar wisdom.

One thing that you mentioned in your video hits home. Sensitive people are prone to anxiety. I went through a terrible time for years and didn't understand why me. I was fisically fit, raced motorcycles, traveled cross country, restored old houses with my wife. Then it started. The same symptoms that you described. I got so bad I couldn't drive my car to the doctors. I fought taking meds. Maybe that was a mistake, not sure. My wife's support and constant reassurance to try various methods to deal with it eventually allowed me to get back to almost normal. This world has become very unkind and it hurts to see others suffer. Thinking too much about the negative can make my anxiety flare up. Like you I try to focus on the good. Best advice I received was surround yourself with happy kind people. I'm 68 years old now and just learning to play guitar. Thank you for your videos.

I have anxiety, if I dwell on the past I can drift into remorse, if I think too much about the future I can get fearful. If I practice living in today and minding my own business and just to do the next thing in front of me things usually go well. If I focus more on fixing my own problems rather then bitchin’ about someone else’s my life in better. The last thing I try to remember when something or someone upsets me I ask myself “Do I want to be right or do I want to be happy?”. Stay strong Tomo, sometimes I forget “Life is fair, it’s hard on all of us”. Remembering this helps me avoid feeling like a victim.

Very interesting story. I have a very similar life to yours. I retired and gave my recording studio equipment to the local high school. Sold 90% of my instruments. I play everyday at least 2 hours. I play only finger style now. And I have never felt better. I have emphysema and sense Covid I’ve been isolated. This has only made me play better. I only have to please me, and my dogs and not to forget my wife. So free. I enjoy your talks, please don’t stop. Thanks

This is probably one of the most important lessons you'll ever give. It's a life lesson that will relate to many people and its really good to hear that no-one is alone in their trials and tribulations. It's also really good to hear that you learn to manage these situations and clearly you have because you are so well respected in your musical field. Thanks for your honesty and sharing your experience. I'm sure it will benefit others. As for the piece where you say legend on the left, legend on the right......I think you missed the fact that there was a legend in the middle and yes that is Tomo Fujita.....Music is the best therapy for anything in my opinion. Whenever I'm low, pick up the guitar and immediately feel better.

I developed anxiety when I was 14, now 19 it hasn’t exactly gotten better but I am so very grateful for music and my guitar, it has been one of the few things that helps me release all of that tension. If you have anxiety I would absolutely recommend trying to find an expressive outlet, I hope you may find some help there.

Such a powerful video and thank you so much for having the courage to share. I, like many others, have also dealt with this and I think more leaders like you should be discussing it.

You have anxieties too? Granted I only know you from your videos but I see you as one of the chillest dudes in the world. Well it’s always nice to find commonalities with others!

Thanks so much for making this Tomo. The sensation you described (heart beating too fast, feeling faint, etc...) are symptoms of a panic attack, a very acute form of anxiety. I once heard a singer talk about how he had his first panic attack in the middle of a performance and since he'd never experienced anything like that, he really thought he was dying. Your advice about living with it, sleeping, eating well, and thinking about positive things are really valuable advice.

I've been struggling with very severe anxiety for quite a while now, and it's always nice to hear a story like this from someone you look up to. Makes me feel more normal, thanks.

Ever since experiencing a home invasion, managing anxiety has been a real part of my life and, like you said, it is a hard thing to talk about with people. As a musician/performer, it’s a tough thing to reconcile, because you always have to meet and work with new people, new situations. The anxiety is always there but as you say, it’s like a roommate that I pay less and less attention to as the years go by. Life sometimes can be hard but it is always beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story Tomo

Just under 3 minutes in, I was thinking.. why is Tomo telling my story .. anxiety probs all my life, musical mother showed me the mouthharmonica and opened up my ears; without karate, played waterpolo .. Carlton etc, .. did Larry cause a trauma in me😊? wonderfull open, honest and helpfull story, TY Tomo.🎉 great teacher and rollmodel you are. Even for a 63 year old greyhound.. finding out to live with myself , still have 'm , acceping it: wise man You are. TY, no compare.😊

Been there many years ago; hospital etc.. For me, making sure I get enough sleep is paramount to dealing with my anxiety. Unfortunately anxiety may disrupt good sleep. "When the demon is at your door, in the morning it won't be there no more, any major dude will tell you." - Steely Dan. Another thing that always helped my anxiety was recognizing how many millions of people also deal with the issue. That concept removed some of the teeth of my anxiety. I wasn't alone in my situation. Another quote that helped me was "Nothing is neither good nor bad, lest thinking make it so." Understanding my perspective on things was making them positive or negative. Thank you for making this video - your experience with the mystery of anxiety was just like mine; exhausted and overthinking and overanalyzing. I'm your age and as the years have passed, I've been able to come up with tools that help me - and lately I almost never have anxiety attacks.

Many times in my life there have been upsetting events and hard times that I had to work through. Playing my guitar has always been a positive way to deal with stress and anxiety. I also enjoy playing the blues to help me through those times since it really makes you feel like you're not alone. The artists who played these blues are all linked in that we are human and we have good times and bad. Stay strong out there and just try to be as positive as you can. It really does make a difference.

Anxiety is a very complex ailment for many people. Some people who have never suffered from it may ask questions like, how can someone like this who is such a great guitar player and musician, who seems to have it all get anxious about things? Listening to guys like you is a great medicine for other sufferers, and talking about it can only be a positive thing and help yourself too.

Suffered through it my whole life.. breathe man...breathe..thanks for having the courage to talk about this...it will help a lot of people 😁♥️

Hi Tomo, I’m struggling with anxiety for about 8 years now and it stems from a trauma in my childhood. As a kid there was I time I experienced panic attacks as well but no one around me took it for serious or knew what it was, therefore it was left untreated. I’m going to therapy for about 2 years now and I must say it helps a lot. Of course most of dealing with it and healing lies within oneself. I’ve learned so much through it and try to live with it as best as I can. I realized by taking care of myself helps me best and heals my inner child. I’ve just started learning guitar, because it was something I’ve always wanted to do as a kid but didn’t had the resources to do so. Now that I’m older I want to live without having any regrets and being more confident. That’s why I think me learning the guitar helps immensely with my healing journey! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and opening up about your past to your community! That just shows how much you trust us and I for myself appreciate it a lot. Thank you!!

Thank you for sharing your experience. Shared pain is half the pain, shared joy is twice the joy

Omg...now i know why i like you. Anxiety ,and what if? crippled me. Everything you're saying in this video could have come from my own life. When i was 19, i decided to try guitar. I've never been to concentrate on anything long enough to learn. But the guitar was different. I taught myself cowboy chords, and in about 3 months, i found myself playing with some neighbors. They told me i was very talented. The kid taught me Norwegian wood. I still remember like yesterday. He said you're playing that better in 15 minutes than i could in 6 months, and i need to pursue music. I was so full of self-doubt i almost thought he was making fun of me. I never saw him again, and i put the guitar down and didn't pick it up for years. Then i tried a few years later, and my girlfriend would sgame the songs i would pick, and i would get self-conscious .so for the last 25 yrs I'd play for a few weeks and put it down. And not touch it for years. So, 23 years later, i get sick. Like death sick. So i refused to die without learning to play some of my favorite songs. Because of how i felt about myself, i surround myself with very negative ppl. My now ex told me i wouldn't make it more than two weeks playing the girl. I tried everything drugs .they didn't work, so i stopped no real issue. But it still almost killed me. I eventually just locked myself away whenever possible. So the only way i could play the guitar is when im calm, and because I'm autistic or something, i see patterns. But that only happens when im calm. My life was literally the worst it ever was . But i was happy. Why? That freaking guitar lets me be me. Because i got into a car accident, i had to relearn what I learned the previous year. I would choke the hell out of the neck. After a two lvl acdf surgery, i couldn't hold the guitar while standing. I'm only just starting now. But because i lost all my strength, i had to learn to have a light touch and proper form. So i had to learn to breathe . I had to correct my posture. I started stretching. This guitar gave me peace. I've only ever had in fleeting moments. Real peace. I feel good about myself now. My god, to think i could have just played the guitar . That's why i was so grateful for your tiny bit of help. I live youtube because i can be honest. I could have never said any of this in the real world. So again, what you have helped me with in my life is priceless and can't be put into words. Im going to stop trying and just say thank you for the last time. I think you get it.

Hey Tomo, I think it is the greatest thing that you share these very personal struggles with an audience. First, it helps you too, as a kind of form of therapy, talking, letting it out of you. At the same time you reach people like me, and I'm pretty sure, many others who might just start to realise that they've been struggling. 2 and a bit years ago my partner left me after 10 years and my dad died. I was in a dark place. Depression kicked in and realised that I've been struggling with anxiety from a young age too, as I was bullied in school and never really talked about it to anyone, not even my parents. After a yearish or so I've started taking therapy because I didn't feel good in my skin, but I did know this isn't the real me. It's been more than a year, and I still struggle but I realised a lot about myself, my feelings and how to deal with them. Still a long way to go but I can see a clearer path, even if it is not always that clear. The reason why I am at your channel now, because I picked up the guitar again, after my ex left me, as I wasn't really practicing in those 10 years while I was with her. I realised how important guitar was in my teenager years and how powerful was it when I picked it up again. Now I am watching your channel for useful tips, practice routine, etc, and taking guitar lessons again. My motivation to get better is as high as ever been, and really want to go back to a band and just play music and write music as I used to be doing. Even tho, I am in my 30s now I'd like to believe that it isn't too late and I can progress and still be a decent guitar player, even If I am not going to be a Steve Vai, but that is okay, I shouldn't compare myself to others, at least not in an unhealthy way. So, thank you so much for this conversation and I wish you the best and hopefully I can catch you on a gig or something at some point.

To hear a master of positivity share this sort of history is a profound experience. I am now 68, and although I have learned how to manage the anxiety and depression that have always been part my my nature, I still have room to learn from the experiences of others. Thank you, Tomo, for caring enough about other people to share the lessons you have learned. You are a great man.

It's hard to explain what it's like to have anxiety attacks to someone who has never had them. You are not alone. I'm still learning to deal. Thanks for sharing some of your story. From Brazil.

Tomo, your story is almost identical to mine. I struggled for years with anxiety attacks. They started when I was 18 and I couldn’t control them. Then just thinking about having an attack would make me have one. It was really horrible and led to drinking and drugs to try to deal with it, but that just made it worse. It took a long time for me to learn how to control it. Just like you I recognized that it was all in my head and I needed a mental tool to help. Now I’m 55 and I very rarely have any, but if I feel it coming I can control it very quickly just by using the mental tool I learned and by using a breathing technique. People who don’t have them usually don’t understand and will say things like “what’s wrong with you? Why can’t you just relax”, and they get rude or angry. People need to learn more about it so thank you for sharing your story.

I started getting migraines from stressful work in my late 40’s. I was able to go part time which gives my more time to play guitar and other things. Migraines slowly went away. You have to listen to you body and not just force things.

You have been a major inspiration for me to pursue learning how to play the guitar. While I was in the army I would always watch your videos whenever I could. Thank you so much for your content and always remember there are people on here who really appreciate everything that you do!

In my 20s I developed severe anxiety. It got so bad that on three occasions I hyperventilated to the point of passing out. I went through numerous medical and psychological tests. They looked for blood sugar. They looked for hormonal levels. They ultimately found nothing. At the time I was a pilot, when I reported these occurrences to the flight surgeon, I was immediately grounded and lost my flight physical. That was that. As you might imagine, this made my anxiety even worse. Then one day I was driving on the freeway and began to feel anxious, I really panicked as I thought I might pass out and cause a major accident. I exited as fast as I could and as soon as I was out of danger, my anxiety disappeared. I mustered up the courage, told myself that I was in charge of myself, and got right back on the freeway. My anxieties never came back.

You know something? It takes a lot of courage to talk about something so personal. Especially knowing how cruel some people can be. I too suffer from this. It hasn't been easy. Some days are really difficult, but playing my guitar helps keep away the negative and brings in the positive. I'm glad I found your music and I also hope to learn from you as well. God bless you.

I had a complete mental breakdown about 4 months ago, and that's when I decided to learn guitar. I needed something to help me find peace and that's what it did for me... It gave me inner peace and even though I still have anxiety, I can now pick up my guitar and practice and I feel soooooo much better. It literally is medicine for the soul, much better than the pills the doctor's will give you. Thank you very much for your video's, I love them!!

Thank you for sharing your struggle, Tomo. I'm sure there are a lot of us that can relate.

Ohayo Tomo-San I live with anxiety as well and it could literally ruin one's life and turn it upside down ( in my case ), especially when you have a family , kids and things going on .. I've been living with anxiety for like 7 years now , there's a lot to tell about it , it's such a "special" journey , all i've learned through the years i've been dealing with it , it's that most anxious people live in their heads , that have lost control on their emotions and just believe whatever the mind tell them , in short we gave full power to our mind on us and we just follow whatever it tells us , remedy ?! well the only way to get better it's to get the control back , and to remind yourself that not every thought you get in your head it's " true " and it's a "fact" , in a matter of fact , 90% of your thoughts it's pure imagination and fiction , so what's the solution you might ask , all you can do it's to simply ACCEPT any thought or feeling that comes with , you and me have been programming our minds to fear the fear and to fly when things gone out of OUR "control" and such .. trust me i've been through this for many years i've been failing many attempts to get better , i've read LOT of books , watched like thousands of videos about it , only way that works for me at least .. is not giving a damn and accept whatever it throws on my , anxiety just fires for 10 minutes then it's gone when my mind notice that i'm not giving a f*** it just leaves me alone , so whenever you feel anxious or about to get a panic attack in some situation like you're in public or something that trigger it for you , just tell yourself this " i don't care no matter what happen to me i just don't care so there you go anxiety do your thing it's not like the first time anyways" ( you'll feel anxious and you'll feel like you're about getting a panic attack and that's completely OK and normal ) and last thing i'd like to mention , i know most of us people that deals with anxiety , thinks that their life is ruined forever and that they will never be happy again and that you're alone , you're NOT alone , there's millions of people like us around the world , we're just so GOOD on hiding it , you'll be alright , anxiety and it's feelings it's just a bunch of chemicals chaos happening in your body , you're not weak you're not crazy , you're just caring too much about everything your head telling you , wish you all a good health it's a war i know a scary one indeed , but you'll WIN anxious people are very brave warriors i know that because i see it . BE THE MASTER NOT THE SLAVE.

Thanks for sharing, Tomo. The most powerful drug in the world: SLEEP.

I had a mild case of anxiety, physical fitness and playing my guitar got me through my issues, also meditation is part of my daily routine.

Fighting anxiety my whole life. The worst was bad case stage fright, performing on stage. Now older and retired it's getting worse. I hear you my brother it's rough. We can stand together to fight it. I am here for you and you are here for me, thank you for this. Yes guitar helps.

The same introspect we rely on to thoughtfully improve ourselves often puts people at odds when we focus on something we cannot understand, control, and resolve. It is hard to cope with, hard to look inward and ascertain you have something from your Id ringing your alarm bells, and hardest to articulate the ask for help. So I salute you, Fujita Sensei, for having the courage to very publicly share your struggle. Anyone with crippling anxiety or depression is encouraged to find a person or a place to get these thoughts out of your head and into daylight, where their power to control you diminishes as dialogue develops. Ive certainly had anxiety, fear, and true despair from work, personal loss. Enjoying music really has helped cane it out of me, even when someone else plays it. Singing also profoundly helps me purge an emotional blockage. What you mentioned about sleep, karate, health; all of that being consistent has similarly + positively affected my ability to navigate this life. At any rate, anyone who struggles with something they cannot understand or resolve is encouraged to share their demons in a safe space where we can talk-out the power they exert over you. It is a normal part of the human experience to feel not great and together we can work it out.

One love tomo , I too have attacks and it is as scary as a heart attack or watching my guitar hit the floor , helplessly. We as brothers and sisters should learn to love one another and empathize with each others short falls. Peace, love and granola✌️

Please continue to take good care of yourself - body and soul.

Great post Tomo. Anxiety is more common than most would imagine. You’ve helped a lot of people here. ♥️🙏🏻🌅🎵🎶🎸🎼

Thank you very much for sharing, Tomo! You are a true inspiration, not only as a musician, but as a human being!

Great video. Nutrition and overall health helps with anxiety as well. Anyone struggling will want to read a book called Brain Energy. The mind effects the body and the body effects the mind. Gut health is key as well. Get good at one thing and you will get more confidence. When your brain runs low on energy, lot's of bad stuff can creep in e.g., anxiety, ocd, depression, mania, etc. As humans, we get into what they call feedback loops. These can be good or bad. Get obsessed on your career, education, health= Good. Form habits around drugs, partying, crime, etc.= Bad. Guitar=always GOOD! Thanks Tomo!

Thanks for this, Tomo! I read somewhere that you need to focus on what you can control (the way you react on things outside your control) since that is the only thing you have a power over to choose. Another thing in that book mentioned that let it all happen and accept that things happen for a reason. Ease up and think of the things you can control and deal with the situation you're in. I am not a master yet but I am using this and when I saw your video just now about dealing with anxiety, it validates that we are all going through something. Again, thanks for this one, I really do appreciate it.

Hey Tomo! First of all great video, I think it’s really helpful to hear that even someone as positive and a great player as you also has dealt with anxiety. Thank you so much for sharing Tomo, these videos you’ve been doing discussing topics have been amazing!

I've had anxiety attacks since I was a kid, and I'm older than you. I really appreciate hearing about your experiences and what's helpful for you. I'm not a guitarist, but I love music; your playing, teaching and philosophy are great! Very glad you're here!

Tomo there are a lot of things in this world that can unnerve even the most steely eyed people, but you just have to take life one day at a time don’t try to live too fast, and although there is highs and lows, remember that while setbacks may happen you just have to remind yourself it’s not gonna be today and keep that positive attitude😊

Feel better sir. I have had anxiety as long as I can remember. I have found ways to reduce it. I have a very active mind and love to learn so that is one good thing.

Hi Tomo ! I had you as a Lab/Ensemble teacher at Berklee during the 90’s. I had the same anxiety issues while I was there. It’s great to hear you talk about it.

Thank you for this Mr Fujita. When someone who’s skills and craft seem beyond attainable reveals their vulnerabilities and struggles, it inspires people beyond their self imposed horizons.

You were so lucky to have a good, caring karate sensei. Mine was a guy who only followed money and prestige, didn't care about anything else.

You’re a beautiful man. I learned to deal with panic attacks head-on and it’s one of the best skills I’ve ever learned.

Thanks so much Tomo! I’ve had anxiety/depression in the past and thankfully have learned to manage it- talking about it was really what helped me even though it was the absolute last thing I wanted to do. Hopefully you’ve encouraged others to talk and realise they aren’t alone. I always appreciate your positivity and your open handed teaching through Guitar Wisdom, thank you so much and lots of love as always from bonnie Scotland! 👍🎸💥🤘

Thank you for opening up like this. I agree with your point that when we are tired things can do downhill quickly. I had anxiety attacks as a youngster, then really bad after combat service in Vietnam (1967). After a lot of searching I have found a great resource from Japan to handle it. It's the study of the writings of Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.

I get anxiety as well from some child hood experiences. Meditation, music, outdoor exercise, zazen meditation, self love, freinds familly and my dog Ted relieves it. I hope you are doing well. 😀

Music, namely playing guitar, helps calm my angst.

Tomo you are the best, always stay positive!

Good morning Tomo. Just wanted to send you some love and I hope you have a nice day today and get to share some music. Your impact continues to ripple out to the world. Thank you for doing so much to make the world a better and more joyful place for so many people!

I did listen all the way to "bye". Besides having guitar in common with you, I also lived in Kyoto (I was very small) and also have had to deal with anxiety attacks. Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you Mr. Fujita. Your story is not only very inspiring and powerful but you have such a lighthearted approach that brings a smile to my face. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are not only an incredible musician and teacher but also a person to look up to as a human being. Best wishes from Colombia.

Very Cool, Thankyou for sharing your story. I too suffer Anxiety and Depression. But find getting lost in music helps me. All the best.

I have your same problem Tomo, and I am developing many antidotes. All your tips are great: get prepared in advance, sleep, healthier living...Also conscious breathing and meditation help!

Tomo, you've taught us so much about music but also about life, love your videos

I can relate so much.. I felt anexiety for the first time when I was 15 years old and didn´t feel like was fitting in in school, at a moment, from nowhere, I felt like the lonliest person in the world even if I had lots of people around me and at that moment I didn´t know what that feeling was. I just really believed every one hated me even if I now realize that it was me pulling away from the people around me in school because of trouble at home. The only classes I liked in School was music and art, but I did not go to a music school even if I studdied until 24 years old. At 16 my friend introduced guitar to me and i'm still thankful for that, music is a great complement to therapy I believe. However I also found the best theapist (after a few less good therapists) and she gave me advises (physical assignments) that I practice every day. Now I have even managed to perform on stage!

My favorite thing about this channel is that you always take your time to help us and answer our comments and questions. Thank you Tomo you are very positive influence to a lot of people on here.

Dear Tomo, that was comforting . Appreciate it so much for what you've share.

Hi Mr. Fujita. I’m a beginner, self-learning guitar at 61 yrs young through many guitar tutorials on KZfaq. I came upon one of your videos by accident and have come to learn more about you afterwards. Well this video that you’re sharing with the world on your personal struggle with anxiety is probably best of all your videos. I think a lot of beginner guitarist/ musicians experience a bit of anxiety when learning. …For that matter, this video should be the first video of all your lessons. Like you, I’m a Larry Carlton fan too 😊 -Oh, I forgot to mention, I experience clinical anxiety. Knowing who you are a great guitar player and honorable teacher, I really believe I can now learn grow with confidence in my journey in the beautiful sounding world of guitar. Thank you, -K

I've been told anxiety is a Physical manifestation caused by psychological issue. I have experienced anxiety before a performance, but the anxiety would leave as soon as I began playing. My wife developed anxiety and could not breathe! She is a professor so it had to be addressed. She could feel it coming on, and she tried to deal with it without assistance. Finally she started taking medication and the anxiety has stopped!

Tomo, thank you for your honesty. It is amazing how many of us have dealt with, or are dealing with anxiety. It does help to talk about it and how each of us deal with it. You will never know how many people that you have touched and helped, but I am sure it will touch many.

Firstly, I want to thank you for having the courage and candor to share something so deeply personal! I am no stranger to anxiety and while I have only had 1-2 full-blown anxiety attacks in my life, it's been a part of my life and increasingly so in the last years. It seems like a more recent decision to be more open about personal things (if the video about gear is any indication) and again I applaud you because responses on social media can be tough to deal with. I always had the stupid notion that Japanese culture is very buttoned up in this regard: one does not ever share one's feelings and innermost personal thoughts. How wrong I was! Apologies. You are a special human being, Tomo-San. I appreciate you. 共 ありがとう ございます

Thank you for sharing, Tomo. I had a severe problem with this when I was a teenager and young adult. What helped me was: -Practicing slow breathing from the diaphragm-out-breath twice as long as the in-breath. I counted 4 for the in-breath and 8 for the out-breath, but any count is fine as long as it’s slow. -Practicing progressive muscle relaxation. I practiced both this and the breathing every day when I was calm and eventually I developed the reflex to both slow down my breathing and relax my muscles when I was stressed too. -Total acceptance of whatever I’m feeling as a physical sensation, just letting it wash through me as I calm my breath and body (principle of what you resist persists). This helps for pain too. -Good life hygiene like you said-good sleep, avoiding junk food and substances, and regular exercise (very important). -Positive mindset, also like you say. Being kind to myself, not worrying or comparing. SO important! -And here’s one of the most important things. I know it sounds “woo,” but this really changed my life: standing in my own light and radiating love to everyone and every thing (including the furniture! 😊) around me. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, just use your imagination and let yourself believe it’s real (or just fake it till you make it). A lot of creative people are very sensitive and empathic and we pick up other people’s energy and take it on to ourselves, so sometimes when we feel anxious out of nowhere it’s not because we’re crazy but because we’re picking up on someone else’s distress without realizing it! Standing in our own light and radiating love is a protection-it allows us to sense what’s happening around us without taking it on to ourselves. The other stuff I mentioned before was helpful and important but this has had the most positive impact on my life. I haven’t had an episode in more than 20 years. If you want to learn more about that, I suggest reading the book “Working with Subtle Energies” by David Spangler. I have also had good results from simplifying my life, throwing out stuff I don’t need, and cleaning and organizing my home. There’s a saying “As above, so below”-just like taking care of our inner self helps make our material life and environment better, also taking care of our material environment and life helps our inner selves.

Thanks for sharing this Tomo, I have had the same thing happen to me on about 10 different occasions, some worse than others. When you talked about having an anxiety attack on the freeway I remember when exactly the same thing happened to me, I thought I was dying. People who have this problem will learn to deal with it in their own way once they realise what is actually going on. I got to a point where I would have to breathe into a bag and re-breathe my own breath to get the co2 levels rightin my blood as suggested by one of the doctors I saw about it. It feels like you are suffocating and heart is beating like crazy for no apparent reason. Hyperventilation is part of it too. It's hard to mentally slow down your breathing when you feel like you are not getting enough oxgen as it is. I was so bad with it a few times that when I felt it coming on I would just get myself to my bed then lay down and wait until I passed out from hyperventilation then fall asleep and wake up an hour or so later. It's a debilitating thing and terrifying at first but once you know how to deal with it and you're not going to die, it gets a bit easier to deal with. Still an unpleasant experience but you know what's going on and you will be OK. The last few times it happened to me I just found somewhere to lie down and let it run its course without freaking out about it. Since I learned that, I haven't had a panic attack for years. I think the monster lost it's power once I didn't fear it anymore. I'm glad to see you learned how to deal with it in your own way as well. Many thanks for sharing your experience.

Hi Tomo! I've been following your channel almost since the beginning. You are a huge inspiration to me! When I was applying for the highest level of music school in my country, I had an anxiety attack during my audition. It meant everything to me, to get into that school. But because of my anxiety attack, I performed at the lowest perfomance I could've done, even though my skill level was about good enough to get in... I even had to stop my second song, mid song, because of the anxiety... And afterwards I had to speak with the teachers. And even though I told them I had an anxiety attack right in front of them, they still told me I probably never should pursue music in my life... They told me that music is not for everybody... It crushed all my dreams of becomming a guitar teacher, which was what I always wanted to do. It's been about 6 years since that day. And my anxiety made me give up on ever trying to audition again for music school... I learned that I didn't want to be in environment, where the teachers and students all had a perfectionistic mentallity. It was too much pressure... So I gave up on my dream, even though I probably could've pushed through... Seeing you succeed so much with music, even though you suffered with so much anxiety is really inspiring. You truely are one of the worlds greats! Keep up the good work!

Truly amazing and such a brave person you are to share. I suffer from anxiety also. It can make you worry and it can hurt physically sometimes. It does pass with time and learning how to control it and live with it gives you your power and life back. Awesome vid and hoping it helps someone! 🤘🔥

Tomo, you share beauty and bring joy. Please accept our gratitude and love in return.

Thank you for sharing your story about anxiety. My uncle Peter Heine was director of advertising for Billboard Magazine he started in New York in 1965 after working for Warner Brothers music. His wife Eylse Kraft was director of research and marketing for Billboard Magazine. Peter eventually moved to LA and was director of advertising at 9000 Sunset right across from the Roxy at 9009 Sunset. I grew up with the junkies in the recording studio starting at 13- running the vacuum cleaner and taking out the trash. Later I set microphones and cleaned and degaussed the 16 track Ampex. I was always around people that would become famous or people that were famous. So once you meet somebody they become a person. Swimming in David Geffen's pool at 12. Meeting Paul McCartney at 13. Hanging with Elton John at 15. Introduced to Alan and Marilyn Bergman at Billboards Performing Artist of the Year Awards in 1974. Once you meet somebody they become a person. Peter told me "they are regular people with exceptional jobs." My anxiety came later when I had to get away from drugs and rock and roll. I have 3 undergraduate degrees the last one from UC Davis with a major in Biochemistry. I suffered from test anxiety. Calculus, P-chemistry, the behavior of macromolecules and their three-dimensional confirmations. I have test anxiety dreams to this day. I'm in an exam room. I have prepared for the test. I have studied the topic backwards and forwards and I mind blank. I can't pull up the equations. Or I remember the last part of the equation and I get the answer but that doesn't count because I didn't provide the first part of the integration. This is what I do. The truth is there so much stress in my waking life from what I have to do to make my life work. From the people I come in contact with and have to interact with. So I started eliminating stress factors. And that included staying away from people and isolating. One of my best friend's wife is this stress goddess. With her it's always drama trauma and that's just a form of manipulation. Some people have stress vortexes and you can get sucked in. I'm not stressed out about who I am I'm stressed out about interfacing with others. So when I get stressed out I step out of character. I go to some small town where nobody knows me and have a cup of coffee. I just watch and listen to other people and I drop into the supporting actor category. Forget about swinging by wardrobe and getting in character and pleasing other people. I'm certain that most people commit suicide because of what others have done to them. Also music was never very regimented. I'm a crummy musician. I'm an excellent lyricist. Let' some arranger do the music. I became a Wordsmith. You can sit at home and polish a lyric. Play with your train-set and build model airplanes. When you write something worth stealing then you can sell it. Let somebody else take the pig to market. Recording anxiety- that has to do with how much you're paying for recording time and who you are working with. You don't have to play anything else but what you're recording so you only have to be good at what your recording. If recording time isn't very expensive then you feel comfortable doing another take or you nail it the first time. The idea that you're the disappointment at the end of somebody else's expectations that sucks. If too much is riding on the outcome that's not a very creative environment. Live performance anxiety- hey they're not going to eat you. Go out there and fuck it up early. Running a band on the street- it takes 12 hours to turn a three-hour gig. 3 hours to load everything from the studio into the truck. You got to drive to the gig- 3 hours to set everything up. You play the gig- they're drunk and your tired. 3 hours to tear everything down and load it into the truck and haul it back to the recording studio. Then you sleep till noon the next day. The equipment sits in the truck for 3 days. Then you have to unload all that crap and put it back in the studio and set it up in the studio. Stop doing the things that stress you out. Only hang out with people that bring you pleasure. Hold your thumbs and your forfingers together. Take three deep cleansing breaths. As you exhale on the 3rd breath repeat the stress-reduction mantra- "Fuck them they can all go to hell." It's supposed to be fun. If it's not fun you're doing it wrong. Stop trying. What will set you apart from being just another struggling musician is to stop struggling. If you're any good they're going to come for you. Yes it's true. Like a beautiful girl with a nice ass. I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. Bruce Springsteen wanted to be a famous rich rockstar. That's some thin shit. Don't just give them a rockstar give them a legend. My Uncle Peter "Do you want to be the monkey or the organ grinder. Wouldn't you rather be the person that sells the organs?" Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts. This has nothing to do with how good you are as a musician. It has to do with how early you got in line and whether or not you have a parking space with a major entertainment company. Tomo I enjoy you immensely. Figure out what's causing you anxiety and kick it out of your life. It must be very difficult being Japanese and coming to this screwed-up facade they call America. There has to be a connection between the head the heart and the hands. Dexter's not stressed. Take care and be well.

Thank you for sharing this, Tomo! I can completely relate. I have been suffering from anxiety and panic disorder since the 80's and maybe before (not sure). It has kept me from experiencing and being a better person. It also keeps me from playing guitar with other people. The anticipation leads to such intense feelings that I just stay away from it. I have been to a therapist and that really helps. The only way that I can take the edge off is by taking anxiety meds. Again, thank you so much for sharing your story. It does help others 🙂

Great video indeed; I know anxiety very, very well indeed and I had to learn how to deal with it throughout my entire life and that's why I feel tremendous respect and admiration for you. And just like you, I've never allowed this "wild beast" to wreck my life or stop me from doing the things that I want. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and setting such a precious example.

I have the same anxiety . Too much pressure got to me as a kid, too. Little panics attacks…When you have a high interest , but you realize you can’t accomplish the goal …it’s like a fear that you can’t make it. Breaking things into chunks and preparing ahead helps me. I also have trouble playing in front of larger group…anxiety makes me forget what I’m doing. And I have a thing where I have to have my practice area organized or I can’t get going practicing. Anxiety makes me want to keep things in predictable order. I am 61 now and still my roommate is anxiety! Thank you for sharing …❤🙂👍

I've admired your playing for years, little did I know you were such a good, honest, kind, and sensible person too, Mr Fujita. I hope soon I'll get the chance to subscribe to your program to learn guitar, it would be an honor to have someone like you as a teacher. Thank you for what you do and for sharing your stories. I'd love to hear more conversational videos from you.

Another great lesson. Your passion inspires me daily Fujita San, I hope whenever you feel anxious or down you can reflect on how many peoples lives you improve daily! ❤

Thank you for sharing your experience. Anxiety attacks make me forget guitar parts in the middle of playing a song, it's terrible but we do learn how to live with it and make the most out of it.

Tomo, I’m sorry you have suffered from anxiety. I have too. As you said, it takes too many words. My first attack, that I remember, was in 1973. I was 20 years old and driving home from college. The terrifying experience came on as you said, sinking.. fear.. terrible. I struggled and navigated my way home. I got medical help- nothing. At that point, the possibility of recurrence was always in my mind. And my mind was not disappointed. The attacks came frequently and out of nowhere. They were absolutely terrifying.. beginning with the sinking sensation. There was no help anywhere. I developed coping strategies. Avoidance of crowds, social interactions, a couple of beers in a small cooler in the car. I didn’t feel like I could have a life. I fought. I learned if I let myself be tired, the attacks could happen. I avoided and I coped. My grandfather’s doctor listened to me and gave me a name and said I think he can help you. He was a practicing psychoanalyst- not a psychiatrist. I went through a year of therapy, hypnosis, self-hypnosis. It made a difference. Did it fix the problem- absolutely not. It’s still there 40 years later. But I’ve been able to control it. I don’t suffer now but I know it can come back. More than a decade ago, my son was completing a 4 year high school study in classical guitar. He was brilliant. He also pursued composition on his own. Berklee was one of the next possible destinations for his development. He likely would have been your student. There were signs. He broke down and was eventually diagnosed as schizophrenic. He would never get to anywhere like Berklee. He suffered, endured and persevered for 13 years. At the end, we lost him to suicide. He composed music prolifically during those years. I hope to play his music one day. I’ve played guitar since the Beatles came on Ed Sullivan. I’m practicing and learning harder than ever. I can still have an anxiety attack but I prefer not to. Thank you for what you give Tomo.

Great story! Everyone has their own baggage that they carry, and it is that baggage that makes that individual special! The baggage that you carry has made you an amazing guitar player, as well as an amazing teacher and human being! Don’t worry about what people think about you! Not everyone is perfect! You have taught so many people many things that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives! You just keep being you and keep doing what you do, because that’s your thing and you do it extremely well!! As your shirt says “Don’t worry, be kind to yourself “!

I so much appreciate this conversation. I have been overcoming anxiety issues my whole life (I am 53). A couple of times I ended up passing out and in the hospital. People in my life tried their best to understand but they didn't. Thanks for sharing a very personal and misunderstood issue. Every person has something they are dealing with, we should be compassionate and respectful of that.

I'm very sorry to hear this. Some of the experiences that should have been the best experiences of your life we're negatively affected by anxiety. That's a loss. It's critical that you move forward and don't let the anxiety stop you, or the anxiety will grow. Good job confronting the run a way thoughts and moving forward.

Thank you Tomo, really appreciated

Hi, I think you're a very nice person (and good guitar teacher and player as well), not so many people share personal experience and thinking in a sincere and honest way. I'm pretty sure that your thinking and advices might help other people. Music and guitar, like many other human activities, may be very stressing, so the key in the life is to be capable of dealing properly with stress, not an easy task sometimes. Keep on an good luck!!!

Thanks for sharing, these are important topics. What I've learned is that the harder I fight anxiety, the harder it hits me, the more I accept anxiety, the less it hits me. It's still there, and sometimes almost feels incapacitating, but it's definitely become something I can live with since I stopped fighting it. Meditation was instrumental for me in this. I would love the hear what your anxiety "sounds" like if you had channel it through your guitar, as my anxiety is often a source of inspiration. I can find do so cathartic.

Thanks for Sharing Tomo!!!!

I am blues /rock guitarist - bassist and i am 62 y old. I never had anxiety until i had problems at work place caused by other / rude bully people. Yes, i had depressions more times in past because of war in my country - Jugoslavia, divorce with first wife etc .But !!! Music was always with me - my main healler. ( I come from music family and started play bass guitar when 16. Now i am here - 62 of age. My atuttude after painful divorce when i was 45 years of age was : "Everyone can abandon me but music never !!! " We musicians are suptle and sensitive human beings and we think different then many other people. Btw. I love your music, your jazzy/bluesy guitar style. I saw many your videos on Utube incuding your blues sessions with famous blues guitarists - Eric Gales and other blues guitarists , I can not remember names. Great blues sessions. I am sure music did help you a lot all these years to overcome your anxiety problems. Take care Master. 👍

I really appreciate your sharing. I deal with the same thing. Some days are better than others. Guitar helps, the gym helps, quality diet, and I study Stoicism. That is the biggest help by recognizing that I am in control of my thought process. I could go on and on…. Thanks again❤

Tomo, thanks for sharing your story. This will help others understand that you can look happy on the outside with a great personality but inside dealing with anxiety. More and more popular KZfaqrs are discussing mental health and how the last couple of years has taken a toll. This help their followers know they are not alone and nothing is wrong with them. Always that stigma with the general public that depression and anxiety was brought on by individuals lifestyle/behavior. That’s far from the truth. It can be triggered by any major point in time of someone’s life. That’s usually the case imo. Bless you Tomo.

Thanks a lot for sharing!

I’ve been on a hiatus from my musical career for the last 4 years because of high anxiety. Anxiety, along with the other issues that it brings, have the potential to totally drain the joy out of your life. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope you’re doing well!

first！！

Thank you, that was great.

Thanks for sharing Tomo! Love your channel!

Tomo, thanks for sharing.

Thank you Tomo.