What is Yoshinken?

Yo = To bring up, to cultivate, to support.
Shin = Spirit, feeling of a new meaning.
Ken = Sword, (feeling), way of the fist as in Taikiken ( Kenpo ).

Yoshinken was founded and established in Sweden during summer 2002 by Marshall McDonagh based upon his background and experience in Japanese budo and Chinese Wushu, in particular Takiken (Japan) and Yiquan (China).

This martial way and philosophy has two distinct directions one being for health and well being, the other being development in the Neijaquan or internal martial art systems, however both directions have the same foundation, having an identical beginning to every training.

The principles of Yoshinken are those of Taikiken (Headmaster Soshi Kenichi Sawai 1903 – 1988) which are to individually and actively develop your life energy ( ki or chi ) in harmony with nature and your surroundings throughout your life. Special features are :

• Can be practised almost anywhere, preferably outdoors close to nature, trees, and water.

• No special clothes are necessary

• Not limited to any particular time of day although early morning is recommended.

• After the initial entry into the art, we use no fixed forms (kata)

• Can be practised alone or in a group.

• Uses the eastern classical concept of teaching and grading (menkyo system).

• Students are only accepted on recommendation or after personal meeting.

Yoshinken includes a special form of standing meditation, slow defined movements to stimulate the flow of ”Qi” including different stretching exercises methodically and carefully working the joints, and tendons, resulting in a refreshed, recharged, well-being condition promoting a good balance between mind and body.Yoshinken together with a basic knowledge for balance in daily living and diet, all combine to make

THE PATH TO QUALITY IN LIFE

What does Yo-shin-ken
mean to your future?

Yoshinken has two definite paths,

1. To those who do not have a budo or wushu background. But wish to improve their allround general health physically and mentally.

2. To those who have been involved with budo or wushu and are still searching for that
extra deepness and balance, leading to satisfaction and harmony in training and life.∑ Yoshinken through the roots of Taikiken and Yiquan will definitely improve your health.

With better concentration, focus, judgement, giving distance to your normal daily work and routines.

• Stress and all the associated symptoms such as tiredness, insomnia, pain, exhaustion, irritation, can be brought under control.

• Blood pressure can be better stabilised, in fact all the organs of the body benefit from this training.

• Due to the way and nature of this unique system of training the risk of muscle, joint, or bone injuries are very remote.

• Yoshinken offers the way to training for the whole family together, for the young and the senior´s.