Bu - do - kon: Bu: warrior Do: way Kon: soul “The way of the warrior spirit”
Budokon is more than just a style of yoga. It’s a movement system that incorporates yoga, martial arts, calisthenics, meditation, and animal locomotion. This practice requires strength, persistence, mobility, and just a touch of playfulness. This practices allows you to honor both the warrior and the yogi within. The warrior represents respect, discipline, patience, and action, while the yogi represents acceptance, compassion, serenity, and contemplation.
The Budokon Yoga Primary Series has an entire section dedicated to animal locomotion. And at Budokon University, you can learn even more about animal movement. This intelligent movement style asks you to get primal. Travel back in time to the way that our ancestors moved - before we literally paved our world so that we would only have to walk on our two feet. This type of movement is fun, playful, and challenging!
Where Budokon Comes From
Cameron Shayne developed the Budokon system in 2001. He is considered the father of the mixed movement art culture. Cameron Shayne studied martial arts since the age of 12 and has black belts in both Yoshukai Japanese Karate-do and Korean Olympic Style Taekwondo, as well as a Brown Belt in Gracie Jiu-jitsu. He began practicing yoga at the age of 25. He is a social philosopher, Zen meditation teacher, and shares daily mind science lessons with his trainees at the Budokon Academy in Miami.
Know Before You Go
When stepping into a Budokon Yoga class, remember to leave the ego aside. Even more so than in a more traditional power Vinyasa class. The movements are slow and controlled. Budokon can be described as “the art of transition”, because most of the practice is constant slow flow.
Find the pose. But then release it. No attachment to outcome. Just keep flowing.
Budokon is a visually stunning practice. But even for a seasoned yogi, this practice will take you back to beginner mind. While many poses may feel familiar, there are enough differences to keep you on your toes - or more accurately, the balls of your feet. (Remember that constant slow movement? Movement often happens by pivoting on the balls of your feet.)
The Budokon Yoga Primary Series
The Budokon Yoga Primary Series is divided into 7 sections. Each section tells a story.
- Section One is called Awakening, and it begins with meditation to prepare for the unification of mind, body & spirit. In this section, the Cobra Roll is introduced (https://youtu.be/fP95JSH7cnk). This movement represents the snake that sheds its’ old skin - passing from an old way of thinking, old patterns of behavior, and moving into embracing the “now”. This section is preparation for the “battle” that is to come.
- Section Two is called Divided Mind, and it represents the battle that we face on the path of enlightenment. The enemy in this battle is the ego which fights with illusion, attachment, and clinging to the past & future.
- Section Three is called Pride, and in this section the battle continues. Now the enemy is pride - the need to be right, the need to be in control, the need for things to go our way.
- Section Four is called Unification, and it is one of the most beautiful sections of the Primary Series. In this section, the battle transitions into a dance of unification. The transitions in this section represent harmony, a prayer for peace, and the end of war.
- Section Five is called Balance, and this section represents sustainability. The goal is to sustain true balance between body, mind, and spirit.
- Section Six is called Remembering. This section is all animal locomotion. It represents a return to playfulness, reconnection to the earth, returning to our natural state.
- Section Seven is called Death & Rebirth. This final section completes the cycle. It represents surrendering to what is.
Budokon creates the perfect union of grace and strength. Whether you’re looking to increase strength, mobility, agility, or flexibility, this practice can challenge you to achieve your goals. Budokon can be modified to suit all levels. Bring a playful spirit & a curious mind to the practice and your body will transform!
About the Author
Adriana is a yoga teacher and YogaClub Tribe Leader. She has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and teaching for five years. Budokon Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga are her favorite styles of yoga to practice. Her yoga practice has brought sweetness and authenticity into her life and her intention is to share that sweetness and help her students strive to be their own authentic selves. Adriana’s favorite YogaClub brands are Free People, teeki, and Niyama Sol.
Instagram: @yogawithadriana
