The Judo Way

This Judo program I developed many years ago is much different than most traditional Judo practice. Having trained in, competed in, championed and practiced Judo for many years at a young age, I was always intrigued by the far deeper aspects of this beautiful art form. Developed by Kano Jigoro Shihan in 1882, based on the ancient art of Jujutsu, there was always a much deeper, underlying psychological and spiritual center to this (and many other) martial arts. In fact, Judo more or less translates to “The Gentle Way.”

One might wonder where that “gentleness” is— with all the very physically demanding movements, throws, chokes, arm and leg bars and holds. These movements were no doubt useful at a time when locals and warriors needed to protect themselves, but the Judo practice was much deeper. The philosophical and psychological trainings happened often at home, or in the Dojo’s in private. The master teachers would teach it regularly, and in fact demanded a very sincere and obligated mind set before, during, and after training. A life long commitment to “the gentle way.” This is the training I would like to share.

I believe that all of the martial arts have a similar if not identical belief system, and that of honor, respect, dignity, character, wisdom, kindness, love, understanding and empathy all play a part of God’s (or Creator, etc…) meaning in all of our lives. This is what I call the Best Self. And that is what I am committed to a life time of striving for and to helping others attain.

Developing a beautiful body, mind and spirit through the deeper, foundational, and fundamental aspects of Judo training. This will include gentle physical exercises for all ages— based on the Way of Judo that will help build appropriate and durable strength, flexibility, and balanced energy. Special breathing techniques and movements to develop concentration, focus, and proper movement energy. Philosophical, spiritual and mental training of the ancient arts of Judo to help develop a strong spirit, mind, soul, and achieving beautiful well-being.  All of this is designed and developed to help attain the Best Self—how we were created, and how we are meant to live.

This program is also designed for all ages, with the idea that whether you are a young child, mid-aged, or in the elder of years, we can all develop all of the same “balanced” body, mind, and spirit. Flexibility, and what I call “appropriate” strength are meant to live a practical life, one filled with joy, adventure and very simple ways to use the physical body we were given. Lifting boxes, throwing occasional balls, doing house work, playing, hiking, etc… are all balanced examples of how to use the body.

Over training, building massive muscles, and developing egotistical “false” selves to please and impress others is not on this path— nor part of what I am teaching. If you seek violent Katas and physically impressive Judo in hopes to compete, or maybe use to hurt others—which I hope yo don’t, you should seek it elsewhere. There’s plenty out there. That is not what I am teaching. I DO however, base many of the training exercises and programs around all of the essential Judo movements and forms. But in a much slower, revised, and very gentle way to help develop a whole other aspect of this beautiful art.

My teachers, Mr. Mackey, Mr. McGloin, Mr. Kish, and Mr. Youngclaus, were inspirational, and foundational in my younger training— which led me to my championship not only of matches and of State, but also of training of the mind— the fundamentals of Judo that we were also trained. Many, many talks and teachings. I am eternally grateful for them, as well as my Dad who was there every step of the way, and my Mother for supporting it, driving me to and from, and supporting every spiritual aspect of my life. It continues long after and to this day. Martial art training has always been something I have been drawn to, and simply passionate about it. That’s what compels me to help others as well. I hope you join me, and allow me to help guide you to your Best Self!

Judo body:

• Bowing

• Stances

• Warmups

• Band work

• Energy and power

• Judo fit

• Street techniques

Judo Spirit:

• Judo philosophy

• Meditation

• Living the Judo Way

• Gentleness toward the Self

• Addressing challenges

• Attitude

• The Way

Diet

• Of the body

• Of the mind

• Of the spirit

12 steps to simplicity

As taught and written by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Here are 12 very specific tools for simplifying your life. Begin using them today if you’re serious about hearing that ultimate call to inspiration.

1. Unclutter your life.

You’ll feel a real rush of inspiration when you clear out stuff that’s no longer useful in your life:

• If you haven’t worn it in the past year or two, recycle it for others to use.

• Get rid of old files that take up space and are seldom, if ever, needed.

• Donate unused toys, tools, books, bicycles, and dishes to a charitable organization.

• Get rid of anything that keeps you mired in acquisitions that contribute to a cluttered life. In the words of Socrates, “He is nearest to God who needs the fewest things.” So the less you need to insure, protect, dust, reorganize, and move, the closer you’ll be to hearing inspiration’s call.

2. Clear your calendar of unwanted and unnecessary activities and obligations.

If you’re unavailable for Spirit, you’re unlikely to know the glow of inspiration. God will indeed work with you and send you the guidance—and the people—you need, but if you’re grossly overscheduled, you’re going to miss these life-altering gifts. So practice saying no to excessive demands and don’t feel guilty about injecting a dose of leisure time into your daily routine.

3. Be sure to keep your free time free. 

Be on the lookout for invitations to functions that may keep you on top of society’s pyramid, but which inhibit your access to joyful inspiration. If cocktail parties, social get-togethers, fund-raising events, or even drinking-and-gossiping gatherings with friends aren’t really how you want to spend your free time, then don’t. Begin declining invitations that don’t activate feelings of inspiration.

4. Take time for meditation and yoga.

Give yourself at least 20 minutes a day to sit quietly and make conscious contact with God. I’ve written an entire book on this subject called Getting in the Gap, so I won’t belabor it here. 

I also encourage you to find a yoga center near you and begin a regular practice. The rewards are so powerful: You’ll feel healthier, less stressed, and inspired by what you’ll be able to do with and for your body in a very short time.

5. Return to the simplicity of nature.

There’s nothing more awe inspiring than nature itself. The fantasy to return to a less tumultuous life almost always involves living in the splendor of the mountains, the forests, or the tundra; on an island; near the ocean; or beside a lake. These are universal urges, since nature is created by the same Source as we are, and we’re made up of the same chemicals as all of nature (we’re stardust, remember?).

Your urge to simplify and feel inspired is fueled by the desire to be your natural self—that is, your nature self. So give yourself permission to get away to trek or camp in the woods; swim in a river, lake, or ocean; sit by an open fire; ride horseback through trails; or ski down a mountain slope. This doesn’t have to mean long, planned vacations that are months away—no matter where you live, you’re only a few hours or even moments away from a park, campground, or trail that will allow you to enjoy a feeling of being connected to the entire Universe.

6. Put distance between you and your critics.

Choose to align yourself with people who are like-minded in their search for simplified inspiration. Give those who find fault or who are confrontational a silent blessing and remove yourself from their energy as quickly as possible. Your life is simplified enormously when you don’t have to defend yourself to anyone, and when you receive support rather than criticism.

You don’t have to endure the criticism with anything other than a polite thank-you and a promise to consider what’s been said—anything else is a state of conflict that erases the possibility of your feeling inspired. You never need to defend yourself or your desires to anyone, as those inner feelings are Spirit speaking to you. Those thoughts are sacred, so don’t ever let anyone trample on them.

7. Take some time for your health.

Consider that the number one health problem in America seems to be obesity. How can you feel inspired and live in simplicity if you’re gorging on excessive amounts of food and eliminating the exercise that the body craves? Recall that your body is a sacred temple where you reside for this lifetime, so make some time every single day for exercising it. Even if you can only manage a walk around the block, just do it.

Similarly, keep the words portion control uppermost in your consciousness—your stomach is the size of your fist, not a wheelbarrow! Respect your sacred temple and simplify your life by being an exerciser and a sensible eater. I promise that you’ll feel inspired if you act on this today!

8. Play, play, play!

You’ll simplify your life and feel inspired if you learn to play rather than work your way through life. I love to be around kids because they inspire me with their laughter and frivolity. 

Get back in touch with your real, playful self, and take every opportunity to play! Notice how it makes everything so sweet, and so simple.

9. Slow down.

One of Gandhi’s most illuminating observations reminds us that “there is more to life than increasing its speed.” This is great advice for simplifying your life—in fact, slow everything way down for a few moments right here and now. Slowly read these words. Slow your breathing down so that you’re aware of each inhalation and exhalation...

When you’re in your car, downshift and relax. Slow down your speech, your inner thoughts, and the frantic pace of everything you do. Take more time to hear others. Notice your inclination to interrupt and get the conversation over with, and then choose to listen instead. Stop to enjoy the stars on a clear night and the cloud formations on a crisp day. Sit down in a mall and just observe how everyone seems in a hurry to get nowhere.

By slowing down, you’ll simplify and rejoin the perfect pace at which creation works. Imagine trying to hurry nature up by tugging at an emerging tomato plant—you’re as natural as that plant, so let yourself be at peace with the perfection of nature’s plan.

10. Do everything you can to eschew debt.

Remember that you’re attempting to simplify your life here, so you don’t need to purchase more of what will complicate and clutter your life. If you can’t afford it, let it go until you can. By going into debt, you’ll just add layers of anxiety onto your life. That anxiety will then take you away from your peace, which is where you are when you’re in-Spirit.

When you have to work extra hard to pay off debts, the present moments of your life are less enjoyable; consequently, you’re further away from the joy and peace that are the trademarks of inspiration. You’re far better off to have less and enjoy the days of your life than to take on debt and invite stress and anxiety where peace and tranquility could have reigned. And remember that the money you have in your possession is nothing but energy—so refuse to plug in to an energy system that’s not even there.

11. Forget about the cash value.

Do what your heart tells you will bring you joy, rather than determining whether it will be cost-effective. Don’t base your purchases on getting a discount, and don’t rob yourself of a simple joy because you didn’t get a break on the price. You can afford a happy, fulfilling life, and if you’re busy right now thinking that I have some nerve telling you this because of your bleak financial picture, then you have your own barrier of resistance.

Make an attempt to free yourself from placing a price tag on everything you have and do—after all, in the world of Spirit, there are no price tags. Don’t make money the guiding principle for what you have or do; rather, simplify your life and return to Spirit by finding the inherent value in everything. A dollar does not determine worth, even though you live in a world that attempts to convince you otherwise.

12. Remember your spirit.

When life tends to get overly complex, too fast, too cluttered, too deadline oriented, or too type A for you, stop and remember your own spirit. You’re headed for inspiration, a simple, peaceful place where you’re in harmony with the perfect timing of all creation. Go there in your mind, and stop frequently to remember what you really want. 

What is Qi (chee)?

What is Qi?

Qi. (Def): In traditional Chinese culture, qi, (pronounced “chee”) also called ki is believed to be a vital force forming part of any living entity. Literally meaning "vapor", "air", or "breath", the word qi is often translated as "vital energy", "vital force", "material energy", or simply as "energy.”

But what is it? How does it work? And how can it affect you? Let’s dig a bit deeper and unravel it’s mystery…

Pronounced “Chee,” Qi is a Chinese word that basically means energy. The vital life energy in all things—In the universe, in nature, and for now let’s talk about how it relates to your mind body, and if we dare— your spirit.

There is energy in every aspect of your existence. In every cell of our body, and even outside and around your body there are electrical impulses, signals, particles, and waves that interact with each other

On a grand scale, think of lightning or outer space. In the middle ground think of electricity running through a home. And on the smaller scale think of your nervous system and the small electrical energy running throughout your body. On a microscopic level, the atoms, electrons, quarks, and photons all dancing around miraculously. 

A few practical examples would be when you operate a remote control to open your car from across the yard or parking lot. Or maybe static electricity as you rub certain fabrics together as the “energy” interacts from your body.

And old trick I learned when I was young, was using a thread and small sewing needle and hovering it over your hand and using your mind, intention and thoughts to move the energy in different directions.

From a healing perspective, there’s chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, cranial-sacral,  reiki, and other “energy healing” practices. And all proven to be effective and beneficial to health and wellness. Even the ancient traditions and tribespeople practiced these methods thousands of years ago. 

In the martial arts, energy (Qi) is used to move energy through the body to nurture, strengthen, and protect the body as well as developing tremendous amounts of power that can help protect you physically and “direct” others in certain ways. The ideal strike, punch, throw, kick, block or attack is with nurtured and highly developed Qi energy brought forth simply with intention. It can be very, very powerful. But equally important to be nurtured and not wasted—like all energy, can be diminished quickly.

And just like moving currents in electricity in a home, you can literally move and alter energy in and around your mind and body WITH your mind and body. The essentials of the skill of Qigong (energy skill). You literally move Qi with the mind, you USE the mind to develop and move qi throughout the body.

The objective of working with Qi is to help develop, and then nurture energy throughout your body. This balances the mind, body and spirit. And a lot like building and storing energy or money as an example, you can deplete your Qi… so it’s important to start learning how to use it carefully. 

But we can also attain dangerous levels of Qi energy, so it’s equally important to “use” that energy or being careful of how and when you store it. Think of charging batteries and using things so the charge doesn’t run out.

So how to use energy?

Well, certainly Qi is useful in martial arts applications— after all that is where it was invented. But Qi can also be applied to every day life. For exercise, regular activities, games, chores, and any other movement activity. But Qi can equally be applied to the mind as well. In fact, it’s the mind aspect that is more important. 

Having “qi balance” in the mind provides more clarity, calm, confidence, and overall well-being. It aligns with a better mood, wellness, good health, and the ability for the “optimal Self.” 

So is Qi easy to develop?

Although there are some very simple ways to create energy (Qi) such as moving the body, deep breathing, imagining and contemplating, or intention—The best way to truly develop Qi is primarily through standing, sitting, and lying down meditation. Standing meditation allows you to work on several aspects simultaneously—balance, strength, endurance, posture, and awareness being some of them. When standing, you can easily practice focusing on where your energy is, where it moves, and where your energy is stagnant… and there’s a lot of more or less miraculous biological events happening throughout your body without you even knowing.

There have been numerous studies on bodily energy. Auras, signals, and literal evidential visual data exists showing the energy circulating around our bodies much like planetary orbits. Scientists and doctors are all fully aware of the magnificent energy that literally runs the heart, brain, and nervous system—the entire body.

Many martial arts are excellent Qi developing exercises, as is Yoga and many other practices. T’ai Chi and Qi Gong are certainly well known for developing incredible amounts of Qi. In fact a foundational component of them. Having practiced Judo, Kung Fu, T’ai Chi and Qigong now for over 40 years, I can say without a doubt that Qi is foundational, critical and apparent.

Thinking of Bruce Lee’s one inch punch, a well-executed Judo throw, or a beautiful yet powerful T’ai Chi form—are all initiated by intention and Qi. And Qi energy is about efficient use of “power”, not force. Simply put, energy is developed, nurtured and allowed to “flow” vs “force” which is literal forced or excessively pushed power that is very limited and short lived. And Qi is actually developed from gentleness or nothingness first. Very soft, very gentle—yet very, very powerful.

A real simple exercise is standing relaxed, and rubbing your hands together for about 30 seconds. This activates the nerves and energy in your hands. Then, gently and slowly separate you hands like you are holding a small soft ball. And very gently moving your hands away from each other about an inch, and then back again. I you are sensitive enough, you can actually feel the ball energy. And now imagine employing this with practice.

Sitting mediation allows you to focus on posture, mind control, focus, calmness, tranquility, and connecting with your deeper, spiritual Self. It simultaneously develops and nurtures Qi energy in a beautiful, gentle way. I like to think of Qi as a vital nutrient to my mind, body and spirit.

Lying down meditation provides a beautiful and supportive relaxation, ease-of-mind, and a more gentle body movements for those that suffer with physical discomfort. Much like napping or sleeping, it can sooth your energy and allow it to easily flow inside AND outside of you. And directed with intention, it can be felt moving around the body.

Any of these three though can all benefit your mind, body, and spiritual well being. Your Qi (vital mind, body and spiritual energy) will be developed, will grow, and if nurtured, provide a very balanced and healthy lifestyle.  

So while there is so much more to be known about Qi, these are some of the basics. And if you are open to it— I strongly encourage you to begin your own journey studying, practicing, nurturing, and TEACHING about Qi and it’s miraculous abilities.

Please email toddszen@gmail.com with comments or questions.