Shugyo Podcast

16/05/2024

EPISODE 10
Reflecting on the state of leadership and the preserving the art. Apparently this episode has been shared a bit, huh. Thankful.

Have we been lied to? Or, are the truths very hard to reach within the Takamatsu-den, available to those willing to go deep, traversing the depths of a discipline, enduring the physical and emotional demands needed to actually 'get it' only to arrive at new beginnings, over and over again? Is 'play' a decoy?

Wherever you listen to podcasts, listen, subscribe and let me know what you think. Keep the conversation moving forward.

Have we been lied to? Or, are the truths of the Takamatsu-den available to those willing to go deep, traversing the depths of a discipline, enduring the physical and emotional demands needed to actually 'get it' only to arrive at new beginnings, over and over again? Is 'play' a decoy?

07/05/2024

EPISODE 9: Death and Rebirth of the Bu Jin, with Sean Askew. A conversation worth listening to.

Join me in conversation with Sean Askew, Author of Hidden Lineage, founder of the Bujinkan Kokusai Renkoumyo and a personal student of Hatsumi Soke.

17/04/2024

EPISODE 8 ... I think you'll like this one. Plus, there's a free download with it.

Jishu Geiko, A Guide to Solo Kobudo Training: https://www.yasuragidojo.com/podcasts/shugyo/episodes/2148584727

10/04/2024

EXPISODE 7 ... Ikikgai • a life worth living.
I introduce this episode with the first time I heard the word ikigai, and how I was clueless. Unsui Sensei mentioned it some years later, and since it's lingered at the forefront of my Kobudo practice ...

Jump in the conversation where you listen to podcasts, or: https://www.yasuragidojo.com/podcasts/shugyo/episodes/2148582331

Enter Nick Kemp, my buddy who has single-handedly corrected the english speaking world's definition of ikigai, (since hijacked by the self-help and motivation speakers), and returned it to it's proper definition, one so simple yet a journey to capture ... to feel a life worth living. I hope you enjoy.

06/04/2024

REFLECTION 3: ... Knife Fighting

https://www.yasuragidojo.com/podcasts/shugyo/episodes/2148580818 (also YouTube, iTunes and Spotify)

I'll admit, I'm pretty sensitive to the topic of teaching a hand-held blade. It's horrible, violent and gross. I've been stabbed and left to die, I know the reality behind it and therefor have spent decades of my life seeking answers to embedded trauma within me. When I train tantojutsu, I go to a different place than when training other topics ... In this episode, I go there, sharing my story and how I've studied and taught from this mindset.

Please know, that this reflection is a little long, and was originally made for my students. Though not my intent, it will p**s some people off. I mean no disrespect, but I have a deep issue with show offs and charlatans with 15 black belts flailing a blade around to students who have paid them piles of money to pretend.

Please enjoy. I hope you get one nugget of value.

03/04/2024

EPISODE 1: Attaining Kakusei Mushin, with Unsui.

I couldn't have been more proud of this conversation, listen and see why. It's an incredible conversation with Sensei, regardless of where you are in your own journey. Please enjoy, and let meknow what you think.

https://www.yasuragidojo.com/podcasts/shugyo/episodes/2148570421

03/04/2024

EPISODE 5
When Jinenkan and Bujinkan Instructors have a conversation, it becomes a study, debate and deep dive into the nuances of Kamae ... and why not?

https://www.yasuragidojo.com/podcasts/shugyo/episodes/2148577740

What most students miss, and the incredibly important reasons you must study Kamae deeply in order to grow as a martial artist.

In this episode we focus on the concept of Kamae, or mental intention combined with body posture, in traditional Japanese Kobudo. Our guest, martial artist and Chinese medicine practitioner, Mark Franco, shares invaluable insights into the foundational importance of Kamae, its evolution, and the deep mastery required for its practice.

03/04/2024

EPISODE 3
I have a coffee with Eric Shahan, a friend who is literally rewriting how the western world views Japanese martial arts as a dedicated translator of martial arts literature.

Eric shares his passion for translating ancient martial arts books, shedding light on his fascinating work and the impact it has had on his own martial arts journey.

https://www.yasuragidojo.com/podcasts/shugyo/episodes/2148574270

From uncovering the philosophy of maintaining awareness in combat to delving into historical punishment methods and tattooing in Japan, Eric's deep dive into these ancient texts has brought valuable insights to the English-speaking world and book-by-book has shifted much of way the western world understands Japanese martial culture.

Join us in this conversation, as we journey through Eric's exploration of traditional martial arts literature and the influence it has had on his life and practice.