Chronicles

In the practice of martial arts, there is a fundamental principle that is often underestimated, yet essential to achieving excellence: Heijoshi (平常心). This Japanese concept literally translates as "calm and balanced mind." A final interpretation could be: "Maintaining one's state of mind in all circumstances." Beyond simple mastery of techniques, Heijoshi embodies the ability to maintain a state of emotional balance in the face of the most stressful or unexpected situations.

In the teaching of traditional Japanese martial arts, the concept of saya no naka no kachi ("victory while the sword is still in its scabbard") occupies a central place. It expresses the idea of ​​a victory achieved without a fight, of a supremacy that is based neither on violence nor on physical confrontation. While this notion resonates as a noble philosophical ideal, its implementation remains a real challenge, both on the tatami and in everyday life.

In the world of Japanese martial arts, Ikken Hissatsu (一拳必殺) literally means: "To kill with one strike." Although the word " kill " here it is symbolic, it expresses the idea of neutralize the opponent with a single decisive move —not by brutality, but by absolute mastery of distance, timing, and bodily energy .

Mushin: clearing your mind to create better

What if the best way forward was to stop for a moment?
In our world saturated with notifications and obligations, the state of mushin —a mind freed from all parasitic thoughts—invites us to reconnect with what matters most. Much more than a martial concept, mushin becomes a valuable tool for unleashing our creativity, nourishing our focus, and regaining mental balance in an often fragmented daily life.

Taking a moment to move, meditate, or simply breathe isn't wasting time—it's gaining it. It's in these moments of clarity that the most insightful ideas, the simplest solutions... and sometimes the greatest inspirations are born.

In the Japanese martial tradition, techniques are not just gestures to be mastered: they are an extension of a state of mind. The concept of Gokyo - THE five elements — draws inspiration from Buddhist and Shinto philosophies, and offers a valuable framework for understanding our way of fighting, thinking, and evolving. It is broken down as follows: Chi (Earth), Sui/Mizu (Water), Ka (Fire), Fū/Kaze (Wind) and Kū/Kara (Void or Ether). This model is found in several disciplines, including in Japanese funerary sculpture throughout the Gorintō (五輪塔), the five-ringed stele, which materializes this cosmic vision and is also found in the practice of Gokyo No Kumite in...