Budokon: Mixing yoga and martial arts

Written by Nadine Aljets Tuesday, 01 September 2009 08:00

Just beyond the Main Avenue Bridge in Moorhead, people seeking a mental and physical approach to exercise gather to expand their minds and tone their bodies.

After visitors enter the doors of Soulista Yoga/Pilates Studio and remove their shoes, many feel a wave of calmness wash over them as they step onto the comfortably cool wood floors. The first floor of the two-story building holds pilates machines, and mirrors stretch the entire length of the back wall.

Climb the staircase to the top floor and see a room that is flooded with light, but nothing else. The top floor is completely bare to accommodate the classes held on the floor using only an exercise mat.

Opened last spring by owner Darcy Neumann, Soulista Yoga and Pilates Studio offers classes such as yoga, pilates, and one of the newest classes to come to the Fargo-Moorhead area: Budokon.

Budokon is a fairly new practice. Originally developed in 2000 by a LA-based trainer, Cameron Shayne, Budokon is Japanese for “Way of the Spiritual Warrior.”

“Budokon is yogic martial art in a way,” Karla Hensrud, Soulista’s certified Budokon instructor, said. Budokon fuses together both the calming atmosphere of yoga with the high intensity practice of martial arts. “It requires yoga breathing, and it is very mind-body oriented,” Hensrud said as she shifted on her floor mat.

It does differ quite a bit, however, from traditional yoga. In traditional yoga, each pose is held in place for varying amounts of time, but Budokon keeps the body constantly moving from one pose to the next.

“It entails more movement from the core of your body [the midsection area], and it is more based on what happens between poses,” Hensrud said. “Budokon focuses on being in the moment and allowing the mind and body to act as one.”

Hensrud, who has been working in the fitness industry for over 22 years, has done everything from personal training to teaching group exercise. After discovering Budokon, though, she knew she had found her passion.

“I have been on a spiritual path for a very long time, and Budokon has changed many aspects of my life,” Hensrud said. “I have changed how I live, eat and move. I return to a childlike mind in which I am more in the moment, and I focus on simplifying and not doing multiple things at a time,” Hensrud said of her life changes.

Her life changes have been necessary because as a Budokon Sensei, she must live according to a Sensei’s way of life. A Sensei must eat organically and limit the amount of meat consumed. Being environmentally friendly is another requirement of a Sensei. Many conditions must be met, but Hensrud has embraced the changes.

“Part of Budokon is facing your fears and doing things that allow you to step outside the box,” Hensrud said.

“It can be very difficult for some people because they are afraid they can’t do Budokon, or they’ll get embarrassed, but it is all about getting past mental blocks,” she said. “No one is expected to be able to do all of the moves right away. That’s what the class is for – to build your strength and gradually improve,” Hensrud said.

“I encourage people to rest when they need to during class because it can be difficult for some,” Hensrud said. She added that it does require quite a bit of focus, along with upper body strength to fully perform some moves but continuing to attend the classes will strengthen both the mind and body.

All experience levels are welcome since modifications can be provided to make moves simpler.

The theme delivered to the class is “the way we move reflects the way we live,” Hensrud said. She added that this translates to life because if a student rushes through the movements, he or she will typically rush through aspects of life, as well. “Slow down and notice what your body is doing. Recognize how your body moves,” Hensrud explained.

Hensrud teaches Budokon from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday at Soulista. She will also be teaching two workshops at Soulista. Workshops will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13.

For more information go to www.soulista.com or contact Karla Hensrud at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .