Boabom

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Traditional Boabom Defense

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Boabom can be described as a system of moving meditation, active relaxation, and self-defense. Its teachers stress that, while the movements learned in the art could effectively be used in a combat situation, the central aim of the practice is to heighten bodily awareness and help the student attain an optimal state of health, energy, and vitality.

This teaching is also described as a science of physical and mental development, an ancient technique of self-medicine through Movement, Relaxation, Meditation, and various forms of Physical and Psychological self-defense.

In addition to this, people often include this teaching in the alternative medicines category, for it increases one's health due to the respiratory exercises and the physical effort combining into a unique and complete system, treating the body and the mind as a whole and not separating or alienating one from the other.

The school itself is non-hierarchical and non-competitive, and thus completely opposed to the ideals of aggressive competitiveness so prevalent in contemporary society.

There are several specific aspects of Boabom that make it different from most other systems of currently popular exercise. First is Boabom's progressive teaching method, forming a chain of increasing complexity movements that the student is able to master one step at a time. There is neither an excessive repetition leading to boredom nor an advance that is too quick or complicated for all of the students to understand, and there is no contact whatsoever in the classes. The Boabom school follows a philosophy of doing no harm to the body; this requires no contact. As well, contact creates fear, whereas the objective is the increased self-confidence and self-security of each and every student. Finally, there is no competition or hierarchy in Boabom, and in fact the class is designed to encourage the exact opposite: an enjoyable, pleasant, fun place to learn how to move your body and focus your mind.

1 Practices
2 Schools
3 Books
4 References
5 See also

[edit] Practices

Boabom is a general name for a teaching comprised of three distinct arts or branches

Boabom or Osseous Boabom is a system of quick movements focused on speed and agility. It is often called the 'Art of Self-Medicine through Self-Defense'. This branch is dedicated to the study and practice of movements that develop fast reactions, agility, self-control, balance, speed, precise reflexes, spontaneity, breathing, concentration, which later becomes a unique improvised dance. Also, the teaching differs from other systems for its movements are taught in a progressive way, resembling a chain in which each new movement learned is linked to the previous one.

Seamm-Jasani or Gentle Boabom is a slower, calmer system that consists of slow and fluid exercises that improve coordination and balance, and help to build an equilibrium between body and mind through various techniques of breathing and movement. This Art has been described in Sanskrit as Alayavijnana, or the Art of Eternal Youth, as its practice increases health, mental vitality, and longevity. It is also known to help fight depression, as well as many other illnesses.

Yaanbao is a Boabom practice involving the use of implements. In this Art one studies the perfection of the movement, its solidity, while using different types of sticks (which differ both in length and in shape) as an extension of the body.

[edit] Schools

The only presently operating Boabom school in the United States is the Boston School of Boabom^[1], which operates under the auspices of the Mmulargan School for the Boabom Arts^[2], an international organization of teachers devoted to the teaching and transmission of these arts.

[edit] Books

For over thirty years Asanaro has devoted his life to the study and teaching of the Boabom Arts: alternative healing Arts originating in Bod, or pre-Buddhist Tibet. Over this time he has taught, lectured on, and given forums concerning these systems in different locations. Through his practice he has been instrumental in founding many different centers and associations that serve to stimulate interest in, and to advance the understanding of, these Arts.

He still dedicates himself to the propagation of these various teachings that comprise the Mmulargan School, in which he works as a senior teacher. He has written several books^[3]: