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Welcome to the Shizenryu Homepage
Meaningful Meditation...Mindful Martial Art Shizenryu (natural way) is an association of schools that specialize in the ancient art of pushing hands (Tui Shou). The objective of Shizenryu is to provide a high standard of teaching in a warm friendly atmosphere so that students can gain the maximum benefits from the practice. The adult classes specialize in antique solo sequential forms that are applied through the medium of pushing hands. The practice begins with a gentle fluid yoga stretch routine harmonised with good breath control. This helps us become aware of the tension/relaxation of our muscles and correct joint alignment. The stretch is followed by solo sequential forms (best known today as Kata). Kata are the legacy that has been handed down from generation to generation. They are without doubt, a wonderful meditation within themselves, but to really appreciate the Kata one needs to apply them. The best way to apply Kata is through the medium of pushing hands. Pushing hands is an ingenious method of physical meditation that utilizes kinetic energy to help us act physically and mentally in the moment. When practiced properly it becomes possible to harmonize mind, body and spirit. Pushing hands involves linking arms with a partner and exchanging energy/forces using the code contained within the solo forms. The aim is to avoid struggle. Instead we blend, harmonize and return the force to its point of origin in a dispassionate manner, nothing added or taken away. This can only be achieved if the mind is concentrated, clear and empty of ego and intent. You will quickly realize what an effective method this is to test and improve your state of mind with the added bonus of having a safe and enjoyable workout for the body. As you become more balanced physically and psychologically, the forces can be increased in intensity and diversity, thus stretching and improving your ability to meditate in the moment. We are often asked if Shizenryu can be used for self defence. The short answer is yes, but it was developed for so much more than utility self defence. We would prefer to think of the ability to defend ones self comes as a by-product of a deeper practise. Ultimately Shizenryu teaches very efficient movements and breathing techniques to focus the mind. Through a high development spontaneous contact reflexes you can feel your way out of conflict. This seems a high ideal, but it was not by accident that warriors such as the Samurai adopted Zen training. The Shizenryu seniors have given many workshops for more combative orientated martial arts groups and there are now a growing number of martial artists exploring contact flow drills and pushing hands as a method to improve their systems. Many students begin simply because they like the look of the practice, the movements are beautifully efficient and an enjoyable challenge to master. It is only later that students begin to realize the symbolic nature and philosophical wisdom integral to the practice. The roots of the practice can be traced back through Japan, China, India, Ancient Egypt and beyond to pre-history. The art is truly a universal language that has survived history and cultural changes. Devised as a wordless universal wisdom the practice enables one to side step the endless intellectual philosophical debates based on opinions. The benefits of the practice are just as real today. The consistency in the practice helps us understand the consistency in all things. This understanding leads to trust based on direct experience as opposed to a belief based on what we have read or been told. This rediscovered art embodies the wisdom of our ancient ancestors since the creation of time. Reflection on the practice is like opening a great treasure chest of wisdom that has been stored since the beginning of civilization.
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