History of Zen-Shin

In the early days of British karate, around 1969, completely disillusioned by karate tuitionmethods and styles, Jon Alexander founded his own style of martial arts which he called Za-Zen-Karate-Zen-Shin-Ryu. Jon was the first Westerner to break away from the traditional methods of training and his Monji, the character “KYU” with a surrounding well support, became very well known and is still in use today around the world along with other Monji or logos of Za-Zen-Karate-Kai. He formulated his own Kata, techniques and kumite (fighting methods). Fighting was a strong aspect of Zen-Shin at that time, although now the style is non-contact based.
The late Sensei KEINOSUKE ENOEDA once remarked, “I even met a Sensei who teaches “sit down” karate (Za-Zen means sit down). However, after training with him he came to realise that Jon meant to train with a meditative mind as in Za-Zen (meditation sitting). Zen-Shin-Ryu translates as New Way Zen School, implying an original new way of looking at things, with a new mind, unfettered by traditionalism, dogma and totally unnecessary and harmful training methods that would not be tolerated today. Many early Senseis were openly bullying students and damaging their mental and physical abilities by extensive bunny jumping by the hundreds, press ups, running over London bridges on the parapet (they called this the 5 Bridge Challenge), over stretching and fierce kumite with little or no control. Jon remembers bunny jumping with his hands behind his back, up and down the bare concrete staircase of the London Karate-Kai in St. Oswald's Place, London, run by the late Eric Dominy and George Chew. Illustrious Senseis at that time included Robert Ashing, Steve Morris, Vince Jauncey, Bill Wright, Steve Arniell and many other high-ranking Japanese Senseis. The main style taught was KYOKUSHINKAI with Goju inclusions.

· By the end of 1972, Jon had established over 70 Zen-Shin Clubs throughout Great Britain and abroad. His success continued for many years until, in 1984, Jon decided to move to Cornwall to re-establish his ideas and re-formulate his style.
Jon's success continues to this day with many old students eventually finding their way back to his original teaching. He even had to advise a Martial Arts magazine that reports of his death were "greatly exaggerated".

Za-Zen-Karate-Zen-Shin-Ryu later adapted its title to Zen-Shin-Do and latterly to Zen-Shin-Budo-Kai, with various other branches in martial arts. The main karate style now practiced is Zen-Shin-Goju-Karate. As a historical note the club MONJI (Badge) was taken from a Censor's Seal, used on the wood block prints of KUNIYOSHI a famous painter of the 19th century.

Contact: Alexanderbudokai@AOL.com