| Laurence Berkley, who has worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, incorporates Tai Chi, Yoga and martial arts in his DVD "A Samurai Workout."
"Samurai Workout" Powers Mind, Body, Spirit
A gateway to wellness and personal growth, Laurence Berkley’s invigorating mind-body-spirit techniques are gaining a national audience via DVD. After catching up with a few of his students, one understands why these ancient practices help to cultivate a balanced lifestyle, especially for baby boomers looking for a gentler exercise plan. Article Continues After Illustration
Four years ago, Berkley formed Samurai Spirit Productions with Victor Stella and Jean Nix and decided to create a fitness DVD - which can be found at www.asamuraiworkout.com - based on his lessons and teachings.
After earning his third-degree black belt in karate, Berkley traveled to Japan for further study of the discipline. It was here that Berkley began training in Okinawan weapons. He also taught and performed Tai Chi Chuan, Yoga, martial arts and weapons, and visited numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines to expand his existing knowledge.
Taken as a whole, Berkley's studies offer both men and women an interesting and exciting way to get fit.
Since returning to the United States, Berkley has taught his first-hand interpretation of ancient martial arts disciplines. While in Los Angeles, his client roster included the chart-topping rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“A lot of the disciplines I studied were practiced by ancient samurai warriors,” Berkley said. “It got me thinking: those warriors needed to be strong in body and spirit. A lot of people in today’s busy world would benefit if they could work on those three areas, couldn’t they?”
Several current students started attending Berkley’s classes in Las Vegas after seeing clips of the DVD on YouTube, while others have written him with their own thoughts and experiences after trying it. Berkley responds to these inquiries personally via e-mail and his MySpace page, which includes a frequently-updated advice blog called “Yoga Bytes.”
One of Berkley’s students, baby boomer Charna Posin, has found the benefits of Berkley’s teachings to extend far beyond the allotted class time.
“When I began taking his class, I had no idea that the simplest breathing exercises and gentle movements would help me in such significant ways,” Ms. Posin said. “With Laurence's guidance, and through the postures and rhythms of his Yoga, I naturally turned inward towards my body's signals. As the months progressed, I learned to relax enough to become sensitized to my own energy, easing through my body, smoothly and gracefully, with every breath.”
Senior student Jerry Gagich said that he has been studying martial arts with Berkley for about eight years and added a few of Berkley’s samurai techniques to his routine about a year-and-a-half ago.
"I started the workout to get myself in better shape, and 'A Samurai Workout' was appealing. (The new DVD) puts some martial arts weapons training into the fitness program. That's what pulled me in."
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