About the BSKFThe British Shorinji Kempo Federation (BSKF) has been overseeing the teaching of Shorinji Kempo in the United Kingdom since 1974. Since the arrival of Sensei Tameo Mizuno in the 1970s, the organisation has continued to develop, and in its current form has clubs operating all across the country. The BSKF is a founding member of the International Kempo Association (IKA), which was set up to encourage close and friendly links between groups teaching Shorinji Kempo across the globe.
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Training
Training in Shorinji Kempo is highly varied, with different instructors encouraged to develop their own teaching styles, but almost every training session is set up around a common structure:
- Warm-up (Taiso): stretching to prevent injury, light cardio to raise heart rate
- Basics (Kihon): learning and practising basic movements
- Seated Meditation and Philosophy (Chinkon): controlled breathing and discussion of Shorinji Kempo philosophy
- Techniques (Waza): in-depth teaching of specific responses to situations
Other activities may form part of classes (dependent on time, setting, and levels of experience), including:
- Therapeutic acupressure massage (seiho)
- Free, unstructured practice or 'sparring' (randori)
- Single-form structured sequences to learn principles (tan-en embu)
- Structured sequences of techniques in pairs (kumi embu)
- Study of the use of pressure points on the body for self-defence or therapeutic purposes (appo and kappo)
- Practice using traditional weapons (tanto, dokko, nyoi and shakujo)
What makes Shorinji Kempo different?
A varied and balanced system
Many martial arts take a narrow focus, whether on striking, on standing throws, or on ground-fighting. Shorinji Kempo however comprises both hard and soft systems (striking and grappling). One of our fundamental principles is 'hard and soft form one whole', meaning that ideas from both systems are combined in each technique, and at higher levels, the systems flow together seamlessly. Through training in Shorinji Kempo, you will come to appreciate the range of ways in which you can effectively defend yourself. |
Self-development; helping others
Those teaching Shorinji Kempo do not believe in acquiring martial skill without appreciation for the reasons why this is being pursued. Students of Shorinji Kempo are encouraged to pursue two goals: develop yourself, and help others. Fighting for fighting's sake is against our ideals, but using your training to build confidence and improve your ability to stand up for those in need is firmly in line with our thinking. Through training in Shorinji Kempo you will gain leadership skills, develop strong friendships, and foster the will and means to improve the world around you. |
Self-defence for everyone
The techniques of Shorinji Kempo are designed to help anyone stay safe, regardless of body type, fitness level, or age. The art avoids extensive conditioning, strength training, or techniques that rely on raw power or athleticism. Instead it uses scientifically-grounded principles of balance, leverage, momentum, and accuracy so that with training, a defender can overcome a larger, stronger aggressor. Through training in Shorinji Kempo you will learn how to use your body to its best potential, whatever its individual properties, and acquire enduring skills in self-defence that will serve you throughout your life. |
International Kempo Association (IKA)
The BSKF is proud to be a founding member of the International Kempo Association, or IKA. This organisation was founded in 2015 to foster greater friendships and collaboration between groups studying Shorinji Kempo and related martial arts in different countries.
The BSKF is joined by federations in Japan, Italy, Czech Republic, Spain, Switzerland, and Ireland in a friendly and cooperative association based on shared ideals. Students of the BSKF can enjoy the benefits of expert instruction from members of its partner federations both individually, when visiting other countries, and collectively, during the annual IKA seminars - each of which is hosted by a different member federation. |