Bushido - The Way Of The Warrior

The Samurai Bushido Code (Japanese "way of the warrior", or bushido), was the warrior code of the samurai.

Samurai Warrior Code was a strict code that demanded:

loyalty devotion obedience duty

filial piety respect self sacrifice honor to the death

Under this code, if a samurai warrior failed to uphold his honor he could regain it by performing seppuku (ritual suicide).

The samurai bushido code is an internally-consistent ethical code, grounded in the spiritual approach of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.

In its purest form, it demands of its practitioners that they look effectively backward at the present from the moment of their own death, as if they were already, in effect, dead.

The Bushido of the Samurai was also a spiritual basis for those who committed kamikaze attacks during World War II.

For this reason many of the martial arts that are rooted in Japanese Bushido were banned by the occupying Americans during the post-war occupation.

Bushido is still practiced today (in modified forms) and in many of today's modern martial arts. The most common forms of bushido martial arts, still practiced in Japan today, are:

judo karate jujutsu

aikido kendo kenjutsu

The modern sport of kendo takes its basic philosophy from Japanese Bushido, in particular, the theory that the entire purpose of the sport is "one cut, one kill".

Unlike in other martial arts, extended contact, or multiple strikes, tends to be discouraged in favor of clean single strokes on the body or the head.


A WARRIOR must always Watch and be ready for an Attack, Retreat if possible, Retaliate when nessary. Only through training can a Warrior continue to Improve their art form. A Warrior will Overcome all obsticals through Rest Repitition and Recovery !

Watch

Attack

Retreat

Retaliate

Improve

Overcome

Rest / Repitition / Recovery


There are seven virtues associated with the samurai code of bushido:

• Gi - Rectitude
• Yu - Courage
• Jin - Benevolence
• Rei - Respect
• Makoto - Honesty
• Meiyo - Honor
• Chugi - Loyalty

Thats Bushido - The Way Of The Warrior.

Meditation : A Way To Live Life At Its Fullest

Meditation and relaxation benefit our mental and physical health.  When adversity at affects our lives, gaining a positive attitude is perhaps the first step that should be taken to overcome stress in our minds and pain in our bodies.



Ki meditation is a method of self-development that can help us achieve this goal (Ki = the universal spirit, life energy). While this method is a fundamental component of Aikido it is not restricted to those who practice Aikido.  This system of mind and body unification emphasizes calmness by means of appropriate posture, breathing, and --of course—mental attitude.



[)uring Ki meditation an individual actively and consciously elicits the relaxation/ meditation state by focusing his or her mind on the center of equilibrium of the body called the "One Point” (seika-no-itten) which is located in the lower abdomen. Ki meditation can be practiced in different ways, but most people sit in the seiza position (kneeling with the back straight or cross— legged. (Sitting erect in a chair also works!) Eyes should be closed and a conscious sensation of expansion and contraction of the body (using the One Point as a central reference for this sensation) should match the natural breathing rhythm.  Studies suggest that meditation elicits w what in scientific terms is known as the relaxation response. a state of mind—body interaction characterized by a reduced movement of the skeletal musculature, as well as decreased blood pressure and respiratory rate.



Four elements are necessary to elicit the relaxation response:



1.a “mental device” or constant stimulus (sound word phrase. or thought) repeated mentally or out loud (e.g..focusing the mind on the One Point).

2. an attitude of calmness. which includes disregarding distracting thoughts

3. a decreased muscle tone (physical relaxation).

4. a quiet environment. (The last point seems to be essential for beginners.)



 Scientific evidence supporting the benefits of meditation and relaxation on well being is based on correlational data.  Studies on this subject document improvement in the overall health of patients cuts who suffer from a variety of disorders For example, after a few weeks of daily 2O—minute meditation sessions, patients show a significant i reduction in anxiety and stress during pregnancy or prior to surgery. labor, or dental care.  Anger seems to become milder with moderated practices of meditation (a few times a week). General pain, cold—related pain, and migraine headaches can be minimized with meditation and breathing exercises. Some patients are able to control hypertension thanks to a combination of meditation and minimum medication. Even phobias, tobacco addiction, asthma attacks, and insomnia can almost disappear with adequate meditation routines.



Despite the numerous technical reports published on meditation, the physiological processes involved in the meditative state are still not well understood. Apparently during meditation the trophotropic zone of the anterior hypothalamus is activated by means of electrical stimuli on originating in the parasympathetic nervous system. This phenomenon is responsible for the complex reactions that cause muscle relaxation, reduction in blood pressure, and thoraxic ventilation.



Meditation provides its optimum immediate benefits in sports training and physical activity.  Athletes practice meditation and concentration to improve performance and minimize fatigue.  Perception, judgment, and intuition seem to be enhanced by the meditative state which influences the outcome of physical actions in a positive way. Not only’ Aikido, but also other martial arts and disciplines such as weight lifting, parachute jumping, swimming figure skating deep diving, marathon running, wrestling, and cross—country hiking also include meditation in their training.



What is fascinating to observe in all these cases is how the psychological environment in which a person lives and interacts with others influences many aspects of the human mind and body. Consequently, a positive mind-set combined with daily meditation, exercise, and balanced diet seem to be the essential ingredients for long lives and, therefore, long lasting calmness and happiness.

The Benefits Of Exercising & Working Out.

The benefits to exercise are simply countless. The list overflows with benefits that affect overall health and fitness, not only of the body but also of the mind. Regular exercises help keep the body healthy, keeps your mood relaxed, and protects you from chronic diseases. On the whole, exercises can improve your performance in anything you do and, in the long run, actually prolong your life. But one of the reasons that have got majority of exercise buffs dashing to the gym or to other exercise sessions is weight loss.
Exercise is a necessity in all weight loss efforts, regardless of whether you’re just trimming down to look good or you need to shed pounds so as not to aggravate an existing medical condition such as diabetes or obesity. Exercise is one of three key ingredients in losing weight; it works hand in hand with proper diet and proper lifestyle. This is because exercise enables the proper distribution of nutrients and energy to all parts of the body, which means that more fat is burned.
But the most important question of all is, which exercises should you do?

 

What You Should Know about Top Three Weight Loss Exercises

• Anaerobic Exercises and Gym Workouts
• Aerobic Exercises and Sports
• Flexibility Exercises

1. Anaerobic Exercises and Gym Workouts

Anaerobic exercises go by many other names: strength training, strength-conditioning, and weight lifting exercises. Anaerobic exercises focus on building, strengthening, and enhancing the size and endurance of muscles. During the process, tendons and ligaments are also strengthened, which in turn also makes motion in the joints more flexible. This is done through weight training, sprinting, sit ups, pull ups, push ups, rowing, and squats.

Anaerobic exercises are extremely effective in weight loss and is considered as most ideal because it can alsp keep excess weight away afterwards. This is because as more lean muscles are built, body fat is then reduced. These exercises also help lower bad blood cholesterol levels.
This is most ideally done in gyms where there are ready exercise equipments to be used, although if you are serious about this, you can also get some equipments for your home. But if you are not overtly overweight and wants simply to shed off a few unwanted fat, you can stick to daily push ups and sit ups in your free time.



2. Aerobic Exercises and Sports

Aerobic exercises, which are also called cardiovascular exercises, aim to raise the heart rate to a specific level so as to improve the flow of oxygen throughout the cells of the body. Aerobic exercises are often the first to be recommended to those trying to lose weight. When aerobic exercises don’t work, or when long term fitness instead of short term fat loss is the objective, anaerobic exercises usually take over.

But for purposes of losing weight to improve appearance, aerobic exercises usually suffice. You can even choose the exercise of your choice. Most of these exercises can also be considered as sports or hobbies, so you won’t have any problems inserting them into your lifestyle and schedule. The most effective include running, jogging, cycling, dancing, swimming, among several others. Some fitness experts say that the best aerobic exercise for you is something that you like or love to do. This way, you won’t run out of motivation.
The ideal aerobic exercise session always begins with a warm up period, then a moderate intensity exercise session going up to an intense level, before cooling down. The moderate to intense exercise level should last for at least 20 minutes so optimal weight reduction benefits can take effect. In total, the entire exercise session should last for 30 minutes.



3. Flexibility Exercises

The third type of exercise is flexibility exercise. Flexibility exercises aim to help the muscles move better and maintains them at tip top shape. Flexibility exercises also improve the supply of blood and nutrients to various tissues in the body and conditions the body to adjust more easily to physical activities. Since physical activity shoud be increased if you want to lose weight, flexibility exercises can help prep your body up for increased activity, although these exercises do not really have direct effects on weight loss. Two good flexibility exercises you can try are pilates and tai chi.

 

Exercise: The Only Way Towards A Trimmer Body?

Exercise benefits only will not be enough to reduce weight. If you exercise but nevertheless gain back any fat you have burned by eating high-calorie foods, the possible weight loss effects are canceled out. Likewise, if you don’t stop smoking or drinking alcohol, the positive effects promised by exercise can end up useless. But without exercise, the other two proponents of effective natural weight loss will also not be effective. So there is no need to further stress on the importance of exercise in weight reduction, but it should also not be considered as the magic ingredient in weight loss.
Also, another important thing to keep in mind is that the benefits to exercise can be achieved if exercise is done continuously, not only when you feel like it. You probably already know that speeding your way to weight loss won’t do much good, which is why crash dieting is also not recommended. The same applies when it comes to exercise; it should be a continuous effort.
There are also certain problems that hamper the benefits of exercise in losing weight. Some studies observed that exercise makes people hungry, and this in turn leads to them eating more junk foods to fill up after they go to the gym. Some people also tend to reward themselves after a grueling gym session. This is becoming a more popular phenomenon called compensation problem. So you will need to control yourself every time you come home from the gym; eat only the amount and type of food your fitness instructor recommends to get a refill after a tiring exercise session. If not, instead of benefiting you and your body, your exercise efforts might take you down the opposite path.
With the right combination of exercise, good food, and good lifestyle, and with the proper dose of self-control and discipline, you can enjoy threefold benefits to exercise your way towards a trimmer body.

The Importance of 'Mokuso' & 'Seiza'

MOKUSO (Silent Meditation). To be performed whilst seated in SEIZA (Kneeling Position).

Inhale slowly through the nose, visualising the breath traveling up through the forehead, across the crown of the head and down the back of the skull & spine toward the base of the spine. Imagine the breath collecting in the HARA (Lower Abdomen), winding into ever smaller circles until finally disappearing into a miniscule point. Hold the breath for a brief moment (but not until it becomes uncomfortable) then begin to exhale slowly, concentrating on the breath as it emerges from a single point in the HARA, gradually winding outwards and upwards towards the Navel, through the solar plexus & throat, and finally out of the mouth. Keep the HARA (lower abdomen) relaxed whilst breathing in & contracted when breathing out.

A single breath cycle (In & Out) should take between 10 & 15 seconds. More advanced Students should develop this process as part of their daily stretching & practise. Over time, if used correctly, MOKUSO will enable a Katateka (karate Student) to control the ebb and flow of their emotions.

SEIZA - From SHIZENTAI (Natural Standing Position - back straight, standing tall with your hands held gently by your sides and your feet together)

Inhale & bend your knees, keeping your back straight, looking forward and squatting down onto the balls of your feet. With your hands held palm down gently on the front of your thighs, Exhale as you lower first your left knee to the floor then your right knee. Move your feet from a position of squatting on the balls of your feet so that you sit on your heels with the tops of your feet on the floor. Your back should remain straight and slightly extended, your chin tucked in with your nose in line with your navel, looking directly forwards and towards a point approx. 45cm infront of your knees.

 History.

This practice goes back hundreds of years in both China and Japan.

Throughout history meditation training has been acknowledged as a vital part of the training of anyone wishing to penetrate the depths of the martial arts. Many of the great masters achieved a level of superb technical mastery; their deeds are clouded by time and no doubt have been elaborated over the years. However, if only a fraction of these legends show a grain of truth, the contribution of the meditative aspects of martial arts training cannot be overestimated.
Objectives:

Short term.
At the beginning of a training session to compose the mind and focus on the task ahead.

Long term.
To return to a state of pure thought and action untainted by ill conceived and inappropriate responses.
Training of mind and body.

The mind has to command the body to enable the practitioner to reap the benefits of the practice. A settled and controlled mind as a result of prolonged correct practice can have escalating beneficial effects on the body and boost and retain supplies of vital energy. ("Chi" chin. "Ki" jap.)
How it works.

Posture.
Posture is the first basic principle. Correct positioning of the body centres around the spine, which must be erect, and even when straight must not feel "collapsed".

Mokuso/meditation can be performed in a number of ways, including sitting on a chair, standing or even lying down.
However the customary way is in traditional Seiza (kneeling) position.

Seiza is convenient, as it is also the accepted way to sit while bowing or resting in the Dojo. There is practical reasoning behind this posture.

Obviously it is a position that enables the hands to remain free. It was also an economical and dignified way of sitting in a Dojo of limited space. It was also safe; if a fellow student were to fall or stumble neither party would be injured.

If students find that prolonged sitting in Seiza is uncomfortable, or painful as a result of injury, then it is permissible to sit cross-legged, but the spine must be erect.
Hands and other considerations.
Again, there are various schools of thought as to the correct positioning of the hands during Mokuso. Traditionally the position adopted is of the Zen practitioner, i.e. the hands in the lap, left hand upturned resting in the right hand. Thumbs of both hands are joined at the tip. (Some say that for women the hand position is reversed, i.e. right hand in left.) The hands must not be in a position that causes the shoulders to lift or cramp.

Also of vital importance is the position of the tongue. The tip of the tongue must rest on the palette just behind the top teeth. The reason for this is that the tongue acts as a connector to the cross over of two meridian channels and without the connection vital benefits of the practice will be lost.
Concentration.
A wandering mind is a hindrance to advanced practice. It is probably a good idea to start by occupying the mind by just concentrating on a mental count of your breathing. By just focussing on the numbers you will prevent your practice deteriorating into just idle daydreaming.

In Zen training the goal is to try and empty the mind to contact your true essence.

Gaze.
Look at the floor about two metres in front of you, with eyes half closed. This prevents unnecessary visual distractions and also discourages the tendency to fall asleep.

Breathing.
Breathing is the keystone of correct practice. Over hundreds of years many techniques have been developed, but they are all based upon a series of central principles.

Correct breathing benefits the body in many ways, but first it must be recognized that our everyday breathing is hindered and restricted by a number of influences, ranging from stress and tension to poor posture.

Observe the breathing of a newborn baby or animals and it is noticeable that the breathing is primarily abdominal, while ours tends to involve the upper chest. Physiologically the diaphragm controls the breathing acting as a pump. It is diaphragm breathing that is used in Mokuso.

It is no coincidence that the all-important "centre", the Saika Tanden is situated two inches below the navel. The Tanden is the reservoir of vital energy. Correct breathing charges and replenishes the store of vital energy.
 
Breathing Technique.
All breathing must involve long, slow cycles of breath. Inhale through the nose, slowly drawing air into your lungs, but feeling as though you are drawing it down into your lower abdomen. Naturally this encourages abdominal breathing, correct use of the diaphragm and awareness of the Tanden.

Stop inhaling just before you are completely topped up. Don't push it too far, as it will cause tension in the wrong places. Retain your breath for a couple of seconds. Not too long or you will feel faint. Then slowly release the breath through your mouth, again concentrating on the use of the abdomen.

Do not force or squeeze out the last of the breath and do not hold, just allow your natural reflexive inhalation to begin the next cycle of breath.

Establishing a routine. 
The Mokuso practice prior to an average training session although it settles and composes the mind will not promote long-term benefits. The serious student needs to establish a routine supported by real commitment.

Do not expect results overnight, it takes a while for the body and mind to settle, but after about a month of sustained daily discipline of only 15 to 30 minutes per day you will notice a difference.

If practice is correct, then the energy boost and feeling of well being will become an indispensable part of a positive daily regime. Obviously you do not have to be a martial artist to practice these breathing/meditation techniques, and not all martial artists are prepared to embrace this discipline. Many think that the short-term paybacks of the "external" aspects of training are sufficient to meet their needs. It all depends on how high you set your goals.

Katana - The Most Powerful Sword In The World

In ancient Japanese history, countless battles were fought. Though the exact date is unknown, a swords-smith named Amakuni made swords for the Japanese soldiers. After the battle, the soldiers returned in defeat. Amakuni didn’t understand why such soldiers were beaten- until he saw their broken and useless swords. Seeing that these soldiers needed much heavier duty swords, he worked for days and nights, tirelessly without rest. Days later he returned to the soldiers with his new weapon- the Ninhoto Katana (usually just called Katana) Ninhoto is the name of the sword type in Japanese, and doesn’t have an English name. Katana simply means sword in Japanese, but is usually what people call the Ninhoto katana. But what makes this type of Katana so important?

The Ninhoto Katana is the sharpest type of sword in the world, with a record of being able to chop through 8 prisoners at once (during ancient times, the strength of a Katana was measured in how many prisoners it could chop through at once, gory but true!)This is because of tiny serrations that let it slice through things like butter. It is the only weapon that can slash apart wood, as any other wood chopping things hack at it (using the weight of its head to rush through the object). This attribute has been the inspiration for many blades, like razor blades. Razor blades have tiny serrations, just like the Ninhoto Katana. Also, serrations can be found in syringes (to make them go through skin with less pain). Also, the curved shape of the Ninhoto Katana makes it very powerful, and it will rarely break. The combination gives a powerful and sharp weapon, not to mention that it is light!

Now, considering today people don’t run around chopping people with Katana like an anime series, you may think that the Ninhoto Katana is useless for today. As if the inspiration for serrated blades and syringes wasn’t enough, the Ninhoto Katana is considered a work of art. Though in Britain things this sharp are illegal, many do have them for artistic reasons. How does this relate to art?
   It takes 4 years to master the art of making a Ninhoto Katana, and because of this the Ninhoto Katana is considered a work of art when made using traditional methods. Also, it takes 5 years to master Katana polishing, and is also considered a Japanese art. Lastly is the use of Ninhoto Katana in martial arts. Martial arts are a major part of Japans culture, and the Ninhoto Katana plays a major part in it. As you can see, the Ninhoto Katana is a work of art on multiple levels!

In addition, the Ninhoto Katana was a major part of Japans survival. As the Ninhoto Katana gave the Japanese a huge edge in battle, it played a major part in its survival. If the Ninhoto Katana was never invented, Japan may have been taken over by another country. This would result in the world losing a lot of what Japanese culture has to offer, including Sushi, a large variety of martial arts, Anime like Blood+, Bleach, to things that little kids like, such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh. In addition, think of all the inventions Japan has given to the world, like Nintendo, Play station, and companies like Samsung that put competition in the market for electronics. Not only did the Ninhoto Katana inspire many inventions like serrated blades, but also protected future inventions that we get to enjoy now.

The Ninhoto Katana is an amazing part of Japanese culture, and Amakuni’s invention is an important invention that should keep him remembered.

Martial Arts - Necessary For Women

Many schools of self-defense offer special self defense courses for women, teaching techniques aimed at avoiding or combating any type of physical confrontation. Martial arts can play an important role in women’s self defense and are a great way to help build confidence, strength and skills to combat any potential attacker. There are many different types of classes for women in martial arts and when practicing martial arts, women will find that their strength improves significantly after only a few months of practicing the art.

In general, an attacker will test a woman before he actually assaults her. By making inappropriate comments or behavior, a perpetrator will try to find out how assertive and strong a woman is. If she responds in an assertive way, most perpetrators will eventually run away. Martial arts can help you reach this level of assertiveness.

The Goals of Martial Arts Training

Learning martial arts is not just good for self defense but there are many other things than physical strength and techniques that martial arts women can benefit from, such as:

Mental and physical health

Your physical health will improve greatly due to the (often physically demanding) exercise. Martial arts for women will also help you improve your mental strength as you will be taught to focus one one single thing. Concentration is a very important part of martial arts training and being able to form a mental picture of your success is beneficial to your effectiveness as a martial arts student.

Self confidence

By learning a certain martial art you will be able to focus on one goal, physically and mentally. You will feel stronger mentally because you build up a sense of security and a knowledge deep down that you will be able to manage and deal with a potentially dangerous situation.

Learning body dynamics

You will learn about movements and their impact on your body and on the opponent’s body. Knowing when to strike and how to do it will enable to you to use your body to its full potential if you have to defend yourself.

Benefits Of Executing 'KIAI'

During some movements in the martial arts, we also practice a loud shout or yell. This yell comes from the lower area of the belly or hara. We usually practice this shout directly after or before an attack.
You will also make use of the kiai during class and in basic movements such as Stances. In the beginning, it is often difficult to kiai. Why? Because you are being heard. Many people have trouble with speaking out.
When students are asked to do a kiai for the first time, they usually begin with a small yelp. This sounds even funnier than a kiai, which is what they were afraid of in the first place. Once students get used to the discomfort, they have no problem with performing a kiai on command. Many of us live through life in the background going unnoticed by society. This may be okay for some people, but for most, it creates a shield that keeps them from enhancing their future or career. Outside of this realm of life, there are three main reasons for doing a kiai during combat:


1: A kiai is used to receive a sudden surge of power by speeding up the adrenaline flow.
A kiai gives us energy, power and belief. This is why you hear people scream just before they are going to do something brave, heroic, courageous or even stupid. A warrior jumps off of a rock in an ambush and you hear him shout. A war Hero yells as he runs into battle. A martial artist throws a kick in self-defense training and he kiai’s. A kiai is a sort of body drug that will numb the pain and increase our ability.

2: To break the concentration of your opponent.
Can you imagine the reaction of someone who just received a perfect kiai to the face, totally by surprise? This breaks your opponents concentration and allows you some time to react. However, imagine your opponent coming up and you yelp like a puppy. This may only be effective in reducing a threat if he starts laughing so hard he falls over.
Remember, if you want fire, your kiai has to be on fire.

3: A kiai, is a natural air shield
Have you ever been punched in the stomach? How about falling on your back only to knock the air right out of you? You end up standing or lying there wondering if you’re ever going to breathe again. Either way, you are almost totally hopeless, because you can’t breathe. So how can we protect ourselves against this? By breathing before the fall, you will keep yourself from losing your breath. So a kiai is not only important when attacking, but also when being attacked.