Zen - Zanshin and the Martial Arts | ART OF ONE DOJO

What does Zanshin mean and what is its place within the martial arts? Today we're going to look at the concept of Zanshin, break it down and discuss how important awareness is in not only self defense, but in a variety of situations and also when the concept of awareness begins and ends.
James Clear Zanshin Article: jamesclear.com/zanshin
◼️𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧! ◼
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#zenmartialarts
#zanshin
#awareness

[@eliqk3qt2rg5v]

Whenever I'm out of the house regardless of where I am I'm always alert watching my surroundings and looking around but also relaxed. Even when with friends and having a good time or chilling I'm still alert since you never know when danger will rear it's head.

[@fourscorpio]

Zanshin is definitely an important part of martial arts training. Us folks that grew up in military families know it as "having your head on a swivel". When I'm out in public even with a group of friends, they sometimes think I'm not paying attention, mainly because I'm always scanning the surroundings.

[@ramondiaz2851]

Miyamoto had this ability at a high level!!

[@michaelandrews6840]

So cool! I just turned on KZbin and this was just uploaded 2 minutes ago. I love this channel and I love kenpo karare.

[@danskarate997]

Zanshin in karate translates loosely to perfect finish or remaining spirit. At the end of kata for example you must not lose focus or that warriors mind, if you do then you would be failed in the old days. It also promotes awareness of what's around you but remaining in a state of calm. Zanshin is being connected to what's around you and connecting with your technique, while maintaining strong spirit and mind even after a fight has ended. Its a hard concept to truly describe its some thing one must feel. Also C. W. NICOL talks about it in his book moving zen, which I highly recommend. 👍

[@lewisb85]

I found Alan Watts's writings on this particularly useful, he applied it because he was a fencer and judoka.

[@MG-bi6mq]

One night, a group of friends and I were walking down broadway in NYC. Fair amount of light, lots of people, didn’t seem like we could be in any danger. All of a sudden my mind was flooded with martial arts techniques and a little voice in my mind said “hit him as hard as you can and run.” Suddenly this short little bald dude stormed alone down the street, past everyone, and down into the subway. After he was out of earshot, I said out loud “that guy had a really bad vibe.” Everyone I was with looked at me and said “you felt that too?” I confirmed with everyone that whoever that guy was, we could all feel him before we saw him. Close call.

[@jorgeramos-veguilla3265]

I practice Shotokan and this is a very important component in our training.

[@jtilton5]

To paraphrase Robert Koga Sensei: “Most people think of self defense as a bunch of kicking and punching, but that’s not true. What really is self defense? Well, It’s the same as defensive driving: you observe the conditions ahead and then you anticipate any hazards that you may encounter, then you act accordingly.”

[@soundphilosophy]

Zanshin is similar to the "OODA Loop" technique/strategy (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. Repeat.)

[@rolotomase1440]

How the heck does this channel not have a million followers. Please Mr. Dan, keep it up! I came here because I'm a BJJ guy thinking I would find some more ways to make fun of TMA. Instead, I've found this huge respect and intrigue. I'm fascinated by the History of Kenpo and Mr. Parker. And I recently read an article how Mr. Parker encourage Judo Gene Labelle to take on Milo Savage in what is often considered the first MMA match. I'm also intrigued by a comment you made that Mr. Parker said how Kenpo should be evolving. What would Kenpo look like today under such a visionary had he had the chance to see it pressure tested at UFC1/MMA? Perhaps karate would have been adding grappling to = MMA vs. BJJ leading the charge. Keep up the good work, thankyou.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thanks! Honestly, I personally believe that Jeff Speakman's Kenpo 5.0 is a step in that direction. It's my own opinion, but I believe that if Mr. Parker were around today that implementing BJJ would have been a definite thing. Kenpo 5.0 updates it with BJJ and even all of the revamped techniques still follow the same general principles.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Definitely Zanchin is an aspect of the martial arts, often overlooked at the dojo, especially in combat sports focused schools. Since in the sporting arena coaches, judges and referees, are vigilant to ensure that no one is severely injured, or their life in danger as a result of a life and death situation on the street, where there are no referees, coaches and corner men, to protect that person from surprise, dangerous attacks coming out of nowhere. So indeed on the streets we must always remain focused, alert and aware of our surroundings. Should something suddenly feel eerie, or dangerously unusual and out of place, then we should trust our instincts and abandon that location as soon as possible! Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid films, is definitely the perfect embodiment of Zanchin as he only reacted, or responded once his nemesis had fully committed to their attack. Prior to that he would remain, perfectly calm and still without moving. Staying still and not moving is not exactly the same thing, as doing nothing. One only needs to move or react, when absolutely necessary. 🇲🇽🇦🇺🥋Osu!

[@camiloiribarren1450]

It’s always great to return to the different mentalities that can be applied in real life. A calm mind can see opportunity when it is shown

[@gerardocovarrubias3058]

thanks for everything i will decide what i want you read the comments on every martial art channel

[@makenjikarate]

Zanshin, always be aware and trust your gut

[@namazuryusshugyo5214]

oh man, I was just recently doing some research to create a video on the topic of Zanshin, can't believe i didnt come across this video sooner! thanks for making this video! your explanation on the subject is much better than i can deliver... always enjoy your videos :) Hope if its ok if I add your video link on my video or under my descriptions, so anyone want further details on Zanshin they can come to your video and channel :) oh, btw you can look into Kyudo, since you mention archery, i think Kyudo is quintessential Zanshin Budo :) thanks again!

[@bw5020]

This was an awesome episode about a powerful concept

[@assoverteakettle]

I believe intuition and instincts is your subconscious mind that has no cognitive dissonance (conflict in decision making). It is our conscious mind that is often at conflict and trying to weigh pros and cons when a decision often requires decisive thinking. That's where the subconscious mind has already made all the calculations and knows what to do. So often we find ourselves with the wrong decision because we try to rationalize things (which is a form of psychological conflict resolution) rather than listening to our instincts that has already made up its mind about the best course of action. This is the heart of things like self-hypnosis, and meditation, where it leads to a state of relaxed hyper focus and clarity. As Joe said in Reservoir Dogs, "You don't need proof when you got instinct!" Speaking from a BJJ perspective, when you first start in BJJ and do your first roll you're all tense, your heart is pounding during a roll, you breathe heavy because you panic as you start to feel the pressure of the roll, can't think because your mind is racing and you're being drained of energy because you're all tense and by the end of the five minute roll you are exhausted. With experience and getting used to dealing with the pressure you learn to relax, you don't panic, you have more clarity and figure out what to do to deal with the situation. Your breathing is regular. I am terribly out of shape and wouldn't be able to run 50 yards without heaving but people I roll with say, "You're barely breathing heavy". It's not because I'm in better shape than they are it's because I've learned to relax and deal with the pressure. This also translates to life where you don't panic if something goes wrong because you have already felt the worst pressure of someone putting all their weight on you and trying to choke you out over and over again. You just deal with it.

[@ejjohn2072]

Thanks for your videos! I share some of my them to my students when I have trouble explaining certain concepts (such as zanchin). They’re a great help!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you so much for this message! I'm glad to know people are getting value out of it.

[@georgefoley9793]

What an invaluable analysis! A fully aware state of mind is a halfway point to a safe resolution of a potentially dangerous situation.

[@tobyk6435]

In aikido they use the word zanshin to describe the continued connection between the two people after the throw is finished

[@TheInfantry98]

This is highly refined in combat during operations in OEF/OIF

[@gregdaniels1559]

Nice work!

[@thejazzmanjames9204]

I have a great clip of the over-ambitious white belt Ip Man 2 when his first student fought a gang leader near the beginning of the movie

[@ramondiaz2851]

Observation and intiation is far superior than technique to a high degree!! By Miyamoto!!!

[@brauliochavez2231]

this sounds like smth i call level 4, when i parted from my school because of reasons and started developing a style more for what i wanted it for, i started dividing lots of things into levels so it would be easier to learn, level 1 is the technique, just technique, practice and practice of technique, lvl 2 is "balance and intent" is being able to have your center of gravity stable when kicking, when moving when punching, thus keeping your zone of control intact, and intent is your moves not being just simple techniques anymore, they being used as they are intended with intention from you, level 3 is "body" which is how to use your body in a way your techniques use all the power, kinda like an ongoin kinetic chain uses lots of core and back to connect it all, and lvl 4 " mind" which is seeing your oponent, actually seeing him, feeling his intent, knowing your body, your surroundings, and contentrating more and more without thinking at the same time, is no more " right punch defend with middle block" is seeing and moving with lvl 1,2, and 3. mind is the last but most dificult one in my experience but it ties everything so good.

[@brandonmaldonado7008]

Can you make a video on how martial arts relates to everyday life. I’m not talking about the combat aspect but for example how would this help you in your job or academics?

[@VulcanOnWheels]

I appreciate your explanation. I would, however, recommend that you pronounce the first syllable of "zanshin" with "a" as in "art."

[@kyokushinsociety]

Good description. Osu

[@thefubuking9919]

I just discovered this concept will reading the novel about musashi myamoto I practice sumo i remember one day where i felt really calm during the fight and was able to be at the really best i ever was this is the day where i did the most amazing kotenage in my less than 2 years of sumo I was really focus and even after the bout for the next bout i was also really focus and calm like if my body was just instantly has my mind thought of the move Could that be considere mushin ?

[@brauliochavez2231]

sooo zanchin is living chill ? but with control ?

[@blackadam6357]

Trying to find a kenpo school in Toledo Ohio do you have any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[@raywest7222]

*Zānshin*

[@sliderx1897]

UNAGI!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Ross isn't the most aware lol.

[@sliderx1897]

@@ArtofOneDojo DANGER!

[@BlueSkyFist]

UNAGI

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Hi Ross ;)

[@sthelenskungfu]

When I was first teaching Women's Self-Defense classes, someone pointed out that there are multiple psychological studies that show that we actually have a lot of false positives for these heightened senses of danger that we never respond to and just don't remember. Her example was "If you think someone is a problem walking home and nothing happens, you just ignore it and forget it later. If you think they're a problem and then they attack it makes a big impression." I said, "Maybe. But even if that's true I'd rather have a conversation with you later laughing about that time you thought someone was a threat and it turned out they were actually not than not laughing about that time you dismissed the feeling and they attacked."

[@tonyforte6053]

I don't know if I've hit this level but I know with emotion it clouds judgement with a clear mind you can control the outcome of the fight. Easier said than done lol