Zazen

Zazen is a form of seated meditation during which students sit completely still for extended periods of time and turn their focus inward.  Sitting is done on small round cushions (zafu), but even a stool is acceptable as long as the spine can be held straight and fully activated. Sessions can vary from 30 minutes to an hour depending on experience, and a Sesshin (three-day intensive) is held once a year.

 

Athens Aikido also organises monthly Zazen-kais (two-hour intensives) which give practitioners a chance for deeper study. Even a short session is enough to dramatically deepen levels of self-realisation and set students on a path of greater focus, awareness and awakening. Development through this practice directly feeds Aikido training through sharpening the senses and extending awareness beyond the limits of the self.