Today, the interpretation is Nan (seven) and Budo (martial arts), so it can easily be translated as the martial art of seven forces which I will explain in one of the next articles.

Energy, breathing, movement and mental attitude, their interaction and balance are inseparable elements that make the foundation for the improvement of the physical and psychological health. They are preconditions

for a sound self-occupation while to those most capable they are preconditions for practising a martial art and high-quality sport.

These elements, guided by the natural laws of the individual and the environment, help nanbudo sport and martial art to eliminate in its essence any form of force directed towards external world. However, it allows acquiring of internal energy, which concretises every day in the form of general positive attitude to life.

To live means to permanently renew that energy, by opening all senses in order to accept natural cycle we are in, and become intimately related to it.
Nature talks to us and therefore we have to turn to and communicate with it.

Three levels of the application of Nanbudo can contribute to a better understanding of the whole art:

*        The first level – technical level – which unites most efficient aspects of different martial arts;
*         The second level – physical level – aiming at sustaining and maintaining of health through strict control of body functions, especially breathing;
*         The third level – spiritual (mental) level – by means of which we learn to develop our own self-control, imagination and intuition.

It is clear, though, that a good understanding of all three levels can be achieved only through practice. It is very hard to describe by words a method, which is based on everyday practise.

However, let us at least try to analyse this system. Nanbudo is divided into three basic parts that pave the way to the development of the one who practises it. Their names are: BU DO HO, KI DO HO and NO RYOKU KAIHATSU HO.
These three parts include comprehensive methodology and reflect the phases of transformation of a being to its fulfilment and complete mastery over the art and sport of nanbudo.

BU DO HO

The first part is conceived for the purpose of development of KI energy and gives a range of exercises whose aim is vitalisation of the body and acceptance of the vital energy by practising a martial mart. Among martial techniques of

Nanbudo we find a wide range of possibilities of self-defence with one’s bare hands, but also with tools and weapons, i.e., with a stick (Bo) and a sabre (Katana).

To maintain the unity of mind and body, this part contains auto-suggestive meditative

techniques combined with work on movement and breathing. These are techniques of meditation – Nanbudo Mitsu No Chikara and Nanbudo Nantsu No Chikara. Nanbudo sport is a logical extension of this part, using all
the knowledge learned and used – in sport performance.

KI DO HO

The second part of the progression is directed towards the development of higher abilities, which is achieved by energy exercises, breathing exercises, use of traditional medicine, as well as by handling the Earth magnetism and its control for the therapeutic purposes.

This group includes the following exercises: Tenchi Undo, Taiso respiratory gymnastics, Genki kata and Ki Undo.

The third part unites three philosophic levels of perception and understanding of the world, which by concentration of the person on him/herself and his/her natural environment help the development of the “sixth sense”.

The first level or Ten No Noryoku is the reflection upon the philosophy of Budo, and is directed towards the development of intellect and perception.

The Universe and its energy supplement this level.The second level, Chi No Noryoku or the philosophy of nature is intimately related to the Earth and is represented as the ability to discern the elements from nature, such as sun, waves, wind, rocks. These exercises bring about the development of human values that participate in the formation of the global man.

The third level, Ki No Noryoku or philosophy of life teaches the abilities related to Ki and vitality of a human being.

Renshi Petar Turkovic, Zagreb
7th Dan Nanbudo.