Mind, Body & Self Defence - Healthy Body

Whatever your reason for starting Shorinji Kempo, one of the benefits of this martial art is a healthier body. Depending upon how much you practice, of course, but even just the regularity of once-a-week exercise will be beneficial to most people. We run and jump around a bit, we stretch stuff and we generally try to keep ourselves fit. At the same time, realizing that body and mind are as one (ken zen ichinyo), we also concentrate on keeping our brains healthy: we discuss philosophy in nearly every class, and try to stay faithful to the teachings.

The key to developing in this martial art is to improve yourself at your own pace rather than beating other people. We're all in it together to help each other - a bit like life! We do have controlled sparring sessions (randori) but these are for both sides to practice the techniques they have learned in a less regulated atmosphere, rather than a chance to kick lumps out of your fellow kenshi.