Budokon in Japanese means “the way of the warrior spirit.” It is a Mixed Martial Arts system that Cameron Shayne, who’s originally from North Carolina, created in 2000. From the moment I laid eyes on this practice, my heart has been set. For most of my life, I’ve loved movement. I first realized this about myself during my time as a Dancer, which was for most of my school career. Then along my journey whilst exploring my passions for movement and health I discovered Budokon.
At first glance, it looks like a strong and beautiful dance. However, it’s a finely tuned art form that requires immense physical strength, mental resilience, intention, impeccable form, philosophy, mind science, and creativity.
I’ve wanted to study Budokon for over 3 years now, but getting to the States hasn’t been possible. Fortunately, Shayne and his partner Melayne Shayne (my aspirational Budokon Yoga Teacher) are now offering thorough, in-depth courses for both Budokon Yoga and Mobility. They also have an entire library full of classes dedicated to conditioning you to become a Mixed Movement Athlete and Artist. I am incredibly impressed with the level of quality and dedication the two of them and their fellow teachers have put into every video tutorial and class.
Becoming Budokon is one of the most exciting and challenging journeys I’m embarking on. Not only do I need to condition myself physically, but I also need to tap into the power of the mind; emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I’m currently studying their 50 Hour Yoga Teacher Training and want to share every step of the process with you too.
You see. I might be fit, but Budokon Yoga is on another level. That’s why I need to show you what’s involved so when I’m ready to teach you. you’ve got an idea what it’s about already. Also, there are certain progressions that require a great deal of discipline, commitment, and perseverance within the practice. Therefore, Becoming Budokon is a life journey and takes time to go through the motions, so I wish to share my experience with you.
Budokon Sticks Out To Me Here’s Why
I believe that Cameron Shayne saw a link, as did I, between certain ways of movement. I’m specifically referring to Yoga, MMA (Striking, Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling, JuJitsu, etc.), Calisthenics, and Mobility. When I was starting out in the Health, Fitness, and Wellness world, I worked very closely with Boxing and MMA gyms. Also, I was teaching my own versions of Pilates and Yoga classes.
I would call them Yogalates classes because I felt that Yoga required Strengthening and Pilates required Flexibility and Mobility. So why not merge the practices? But then the other question I had was, what about cardio conditioning both aerobic and anaerobic? That’s where the boxing and kickboxing came in. naturally I fell in love with the combination. Although I enjoyed these Yogalates classes, I knew it was nothing original and I was barely scratching the service for what truly was involved in teaching a holistic movement practice.
Often when I reached out to others, they weren’t sure what I meant about this deep connection and how you can’t only do ONE kind of movement. Admittedly, this might’ve been because I didn’t know how to explain my thoughts effectively and many thought I was just young and curious. This certainly didn’t deter me because I knew I was onto something. I kept researching and looking for other people who were also combining these kinds of movements because I was set on finding a way to teach this way.
I’ve never seen the point of offering people a once-off cardio or strength class where they’re made to feel completely exhausted and then off they go again. Those kinds of movements are exceptionally generalized, and when repeated often enough, they can lead to overuse injuries. Why? Simply, because the body is designed to move in a variety of ways.
Often, I found myself having to try and combine these practices because I didn’t want my teaching to be limited. I want to be able to condition a person to be physically strong, fit, agile, mobile, and flexible. Then in 2018. I finally stumbled upon Cameron Shayne on Instagram and found Budokon. He was doing all these things in such a systematic and digestible way. I had to get a taste of it!
What Is Becoming Budokon?
Budokon is not just one kind of movement, but in a nutshell, it’s a hybrid system combining Yoga, Calisthenics, and Martial Arts. It builds strength, endurance, discipline, control, and grace. I’m currently doing the Budokon Yoga Teacher Training.
Watch the below documentary where Cameron, Melayne, and other Budokon Athletes share exactly what we do when we do Budokon.
What Is Budokon Yoga?
Budokon style yoga is a modern yoga style that unites the ancient tradition of self-inquiry with modern mixed movement. Budokon Yoga is a science, art, and philosophy which synchronizes classical yoga with, martial arts, calisthenics, animal locomotion, and life science. Also, this is quite a physically demanding style and reshapes modern yoga. The practice rejects the qualities of a yogi as defined by the yoga sutras, in place of more contemporary constructs of morality, spirituality, and discipleship. The style was created as a conditioning practice for movers of all types seeking the highest level of agility, mobility, stamina, and strength.
I am currently studying the foundation of this style called the Budokon Yoga Primary Series. This series consists of 7 intelligently assembled sections of slow and controlled movements designed to improve mobility, agility, flexibility, and strength. The best way to learn these techniques is through repetition and precision. Budokon Yoga emphasizes the transitions from posture to posture, rather than the holding of postures. This is the most challenging aspect for me, but also what intrigues my interest.
The purpose of this class is to gain muscular strength, cardiovascular stamina, and joint mobility.
My Budokon Practice: BDK Yoga Primary Series Section 1 and 2
I’ve been practicing Budokon on and off over the past few months, but I’ve been fully immersed for only one month. I’ve got a long way to go until I reach the level I’d like to be, but I do think that the struggle is part of the journey.
It is important for you to be humbled by the process, as am I, and see my journey step by step. Soon I will be able to share it with you all and start teaching it, but for now, let us just focus on the present moment and keep moving. So, I thought it would be nice to share two snippets of sections one and two of me doing the Primary Series.
It seems I feel the most uncomfortable when going through the transitions, but once I am through I come out stronger and ready for more.
I Need Your Help To Share My Mission
If this is something that you would also be interested in learning more about then I encourage you to start by following my journey and seeing all the progressions, challenges, and wins along the way. I would also encourage you to visit the Budokon website so you can do your own homework and investigations into this strong practice.
You see, my mission in life is to take ownership of it entirely, and by that I mean, to be my own Warrior Hero. Therefore, it is my duty to help inspire and motivate you all to be your own Warrior Heroes in your lives too. Life Is all about building momentum and adding to it, with anything you’ll ever do whether it’s a daily habit. a business goal or a personal best in fitness.
Essentially, whatever we’re experiencing, to achieve Longevity we must concentrate on HOW we live rather than the concept of ‘YOLO.’ Something that I love about Budokon is it helps you to learn that we are all facing our own battles and it’s the process of going through the transitions that make us feel most uncomfortable.
However, being a warrior means persevering through that transition and coming out on the other side stronger. More importantly, it is about HOW we go through the everyday motions because I quote Budokon Academy, ”The way we do anything, is the way we do everything.”
Join The Community And Let’s Connect!
If you’re ready to live and feel like the true Warrior Hero that you are, then please let’s connect! Sign up as a member on my blog and subscribe to my Newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of my latest Blogs, Courses, and hopefully soon, Budokon classes!
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