“Not only does it push your physical limits, but the trainings leave plenty of time to focus on personal development. You walk out of there different than how you walked in.” Jake Paul White
What is Budokon ?
To put it in a nutshell is it a hybrid between Yoga and Martial Arts. It builds strength endurance, discipline, control , grace and spirituality. A sort of a vinyasa flow style yoga practice, infused with graceful tai chi-style movements and a deep meditative quality.
Where did Budokon begin?
Budokon, Japanese for ‘the way of the warrior spirit’, was founded in Los Angeles, California in 2000 by North Carolina native and martial arts expert Cameron Shayne. Shayne’s story is that he began his martial arts studies at 12 years old, discovered yoga in his 20’s and then married the two in his own blended practice of traditional Hatha Yoga, Japanese Karate-Do, Korean Taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Hence Budokon was born!
At first, Shayne shared it with a select few, and then, like so many things in Hollywood, it took off. In 2004, tiring of the Hollywood scene, he packed up and left for Miami Beach, Florida, where he founded the Budokon University and took his life arts program to a deeper level. When asked to reflect on the Budokon yoga practice, Shayne responded, “When we move we must embody the scientist, the artist and the philosopher all at once. So complex is the role that most only master one or the other. Yet the artist without the scientist is chaotic, and the scientist without the philosopher is insensitive. Together they make the ultimate mover.” His words are eloquent and deeply powerful like the practice itself!
Watch Camerons Budokon Flow HERE
Warrior Addict’s first brand warrior, Budokon teacher and graphic designer, Jake Paul White has attended Shayne’s teacher training in Miami and says that, “the teacher trainings are interruptive and life-changing. I’ve been to multiple yoga teacher trainings, yet I’ve never seen as much growth and personal breakthrough as I did in this one. Not only does it push your physical limits, but the trainings leave plenty of time to focus on personal development. You walk out of there different than how you walked in.”
Beyond being a combat system, Budokon has a strong philosophical base and a moral code by which to live. It teaches a six pillar system (movement, intelligence, emotion, relationship, nutrition and environment) within a 6 level belt ranking system.
What does a Budokon class involve?
A typical Budokon class begins with 20 minutes of vinyasa-type yoga to warm the body, followed by a martial arts portion of explosive, dance or animal-like movement and ends with a guided meditation. Shayne describes the practice as, “ arguably the first complete codified style of movement involving the study and application of primal movement patterns for the restoration of the human anatomy,” and honestly, it’s both impressive and beautiful to watch! The order of things varies from class to class and it’s designed to return the body to a natural, instinctive and super-fit state - who doesn’t want that?
According to Jake Paul White, “Budokon is much more than yoga -it’s also a blackbelt martial arts system. Physically, it is a well-rounded, holistic practice of calisthenics and animal locomotion combined with vinyasa… It’s unlike anything else out there. The practice as a whole is very modern and discusses food, health, well-being and relationships in a non-dogmatic way. It’s refreshing and empowering.” So it’s a workout out for both mind and body!
Interested? why not check out Budokon or look for a class at a studio near you.
Want to meet our Brand Warrior Jake Pual White ? Meet Jake Here
Article written by our awsome contributor Ms Alicia Anka