Zanshin (残心) is a term commonly used in Japanese martial arts to refer to a state of relaxed alertness. Literally translated, “zanshin" means "the mind with no remainder." In other words, it is the mind completely focused on action and fixated on the task at hand.

Instructors often use the word zanshin to remind students to be aware, maintaining constant awareness of our surroundings. In self-defense, we often emphasize the importance of self-awareness and situational awareness; even environmental awareness is crucial.

In practice, zanshin has an even deeper meaning. It is about choosing to live your life intentionally and acting with purpose rather than mindlessly falling victim to whatever comes your way.

Many people don't pay attention to the things around them or notice them like others do. Why is this?

We focus on what is important to us. Not paying attention to things around you means that you either don’t see their relevance or consider them less important than where your focus lies.

It's about what is important to the individual. Your mind is probably preoccupied with other important matters. If you keenly focus on looking for things, you will definitely find them.

Often, we get caught up in more pressing and ultimately less important stuff. Dealing with the pressure of having other things on your mind can sap your energy to deal with little else. When heavily distracted by other commitments, tasks, stress, and anxiety, you may find it too challenging to redirect your attention and focus - and you may even be so wrapped up that you don't register what is going on around you.

A calm, relaxed, and clear mind is of the utmost importance to a martial artist. Through a quiet mind, our physical training and our mental and emotional lives are improved. Learning to quiet the mind is an important life skill.

We’ve all been conditioned to stay busy, keep moving, and achieve more. Yet most of us are actually uncomfortable with silence. All it takes is a willingness to still our minds, a willingness to be calm, a willingness to be mindful, just for a moment - to be aware.

The key is how you react to your thoughts. If you focus on your thinking, your mind is like an electric fan with thoughts blowing everywhere. When you focus on your breathing or your body, however, thoughts can come and go like clouds across the sky. You can observe them, realize they are just thoughts, and let them go.

Being mindful, being quiet, means being present, being aware.

By embracing zanshin, we can practice a state of relaxed alertness and intentional living, allowing us to navigate both our martial arts practice and our daily lives with focused awareness, clarity, and presence, truly noticing and appreciating everything around us.

Book my first free session