I have a long martial arts background including practicing and teaching Shaolin Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan which simultaneously yet effortlessly incorporates Zen training. I am not currently teaching martial arts, but learning and practicing mindfulness (Zen) skills such as how to meditate, practice loving kindness towards oneself and others, smiling from your heart, gratitude, forgiveness, humility, tolerating emotional and physical discomfort, not battling with yourself over believing you should be somewhere or something different, presence, guilt-free pleasure...just to name a few, are foundational and instrumental in one's overall health. Hence, will be woven into most encounters. Don't worry, you won't even know it's happening :).

A brief word on meditation…the cross legged sitting posture held for a super long time is often the image one has with meditating. This is arguable the most challenging type, yet most start here and do not successfully launch a continued practice. In fact, one never has to sit and meditate to get many benefits from mindfulness training. For example, many practice yoga which is a form of moving meditation if practiced properly along with Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, walking and standing to name a few. Happy to discuss further the many ways to gain increased skills surrounding mindfulness training which may lead to a sitting mediation practice if one is interested.

ZEN
 
Zen is a method of mind training and often used to describe meditation, mindfulness, and awareness. These terms are not only meant to be understood intellectually, but to be experientially applied in one’s daily life. Zen is the art of being present moment by moment regardless of the activity. Zen can be described as both the methods used to cultivate the mind and the mind’s awareness itself. This cultivation will enhance one’s life tremendously, and thus it is not surprising why Zen so nicely compliments other psychotherapy and consulting methods.
 
Is Zen religious? No. However, if one is religious in the Western sense, practicing Zen will compliment and enhance one’s religious and spiritual practice.
 
Is Zen Japanese? Yes and No. The word Zen itself is Japanese, but Zen originated in India where it is known as Dhyana. Later, Zen traveled to China by way of an Indian monk named Bodhidharma and is known as Chan. Eventually, Zen spread to Japan where it became popularized and then finally spread throughout the world. Dhyana, Chan, and Zen all mean meditation or mindfulness, and can be viewed as a universal human birthright, not unlike our ability to concentrate or be aware.
 
Is Zen Buddhist? Yes and No. If Zen is used to describe Zen Buddhism, then obviously Zen is Buddhist. However, Zen by itself is not religious or Buddhist. Zen, here, refers to meditation for a wide range of purposes. To practice Zen, one can start by increasing their awareness of themselves and their internal and external environment. For instance, reading this line and knowing that you are reading this line and its meaning without an intrusive and wandering mind is a form of Zen practice. Often misunderstood, countless people have practiced Zen without knowing they were practicing Zen and without any affiliation to a formal Zen practice or organization. Examples include:
A man in deep reflection; an athlete in the “zone” while surfing, snowboarding, golfing, playing tennis or any other sport; a musician playing in harmony with their band; an artist at one with her creation; the spouse who is intently listening to their partner; a mother who is engaged in play with her child; and the child who is laughing on the play ground.
 
A hallmark of Zen is to be simple, direct, and effective in all endeavors, and particularly applicable with one’s thoughts, speech, and actions.  Finally, the best way to practice Zen is by learning and then practicing meditation.  By practicing meditation, one trains and increases their level of concentration to be fully present and aware moment by moment, which then creates opportunities to live mindfully throughout the day.