The benefits of kendo

The benefits of kendo are innumerable-- And not all of the rewards are physical. Many who practice kendo experience a heightened feeling of confidence and awareness consistent with the kendo principles of seme, or initiative, and zanshin, or readiness.

As with most martial arts, kendo is an excellent way to relieve stress and tension. There isn't anything like screaming at the top of your lungs while attacking someone with a bamboo stick.

We split the benefits of kendo into four parts: Social, physical, mental, and spiritual.

The Physical Benefit

The physical benefits are undeniable! If numbers are what you’re into then think of this: Two hours of kendo practice, which is the standard practice time of most dojos, is a total of over 1200 calories burned!

We like to think that kendo practices are harder than most other martial arts practices. While that's not necessarily true, it's not necessarily false either. Kendo is very aerobically and anaerobically engaging since a kendo shinai (practice weapon) isn't precisely the easiest thing to swing around repeatedly.

You will find, due to kendo, that your arms, legs, and core will begin to get much more toned with diligent practice. If your goal is to work off that beer belly you got last summer, kendo is the way to go!

The Mental Benefit

Roughly translated, zanshin means “to be ready”. In kendo, we learn that one must always be in a state of readiness. One must be ready to be attacked at any time. In real everyday life, being killed for walking down the street on a bright sunny morning is not something we tend to worry about. However, constant awareness is something we all strive for. Zanshin is also the act of being ready for whatever life throws at you.

Besides being in a state of readiness, which isn't as exhausting as it is invigorating, is one of the few mental benefits kendo rewards its practitioners.

Simply going to practice requires discipline which in turn cultivates mental fortitude. Mental strength to face down adversity is another of kendo's life lessons.

The Spiritual Benefit

Kendo is by no means an art dedicated to self-defense. In that type of arena, kendo would not stand a chance. The purpose of kendo, as stated by the Zen-Nippon-Kendo-Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation) is, in summery, "to cultivate the human character through to application and principles of the katana".

In essence, it is a standard statement of purpose. Kendo teaches balance (yin/yang). As an example: Because the sword is a tool of death, it teaches he/she who wields it about life. Because the sword is meant to kill, it teaches he/she who wields it how to live.

The Social Benefit