Everyone knows how Jennifer Aniston loves yoga. She has been practicing yoga for few years now and that is part of the reason she looks as great as she looks at 40. Recently thought she has been introduced to a new exercise routine that she has incorporated into her fitness. It was recommended by her best friend, former Friends co-star Courteney Cox. Read on for the details.
Late last year Jennifer Aniston started working out with trainer Cameron Shayne, who describes himself as a martial arts master, yoga teacher and lifestyle coach, is a Budokon expert. “By exploring the physical, emotional and spiritual body through movement, diet and meditation, the student works toward achieving truly sustainable health, wellness and personal power.”
He adds of Aniston: “She started with me last summer. But she’s a busy woman so she tries to get in when she’s in town.
“Because Jen’s very laid back. It’s good for her to get some of that fire energy out.”
Who is Cameron Shayne?
A high-ranking black belt in both Olympic-style taekwondo and Okinawan Karate-Do, Cameron Shayne was a martial arts trainer for Renee Russo in the “Lethal Weapon“ series and the fight scene choreographer for Chris Tucker in the “Rush Hour” series. He has trained for more than 20 years in the martial arts, and for nearly a decade in hatha yoga and meditation techniques.
Bullied as a kid and inspired by episodes of Kung Fu on TV, Cameron was drawn early to the martial arts — beginning (against a friend’s advice) with taekwondo and its explosive, spinning kicking techniques. His diverse study, practice and competition in the Eastern arts includes training under the legendary Rickson Gracie in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, yoga training under OM Yoga founder Cindy Lee and Ashtanga teachers William and Patti Asad, and extensive studies in Eastern philosophies and holistic nutrition. His studies inspired him to synergize yoga, martial arts and meditation with whole-foods nutrition and self-mastery coaching to create his holistic Budokon training system.
Now a highly sought-after personal trainer to Hollywood celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette, David Arquette, Meg Ryan, Renee Russo and Amber Valetta, and athletes including U.S. Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh. He has worked as a personal bodyguard for entertainers including Sean Penn and Charlie Sheen, and has been sought after by top athletes for peak performance training, working with Sugar Ray Leonard, Carolina Panthers Quarterback Rodney Peat and volleyball pro Cassey Jennings.
What is Budokon?
Budokon is a physically challenging fitness regime with aspects of yoga and meditation. Budokon is designed to “create balance and permanent change in the entire system,” according to Cameron Shayne, the founder of the system. Budokon is influenced by the Japanese martial arts – the name budokon can be translated as “the way of the spiritual warrior” – bu (warrior) – do (way) – kon (spirit).
Budokan is very intensive – it is not uncommon for people to burn up to 900 calories in a session, which is 50% more than a spinning session. And unlike spinning classes, Budokan is dynamic, exciting and far more socialable, like many other martial arts.
Every class involves three disciplines: meditation, martial arts and yoga. The order varies depending on the day, as Ryan believes in working with the mood of the class. This is actually how all good martial arts instructors teach. A class can be planned, but the students’ needs can change from week to week, and a flexible teacher makes a more engaging class. It is inspired by the centuries-old training systems of Buddhist monks and it offers an emotional, physical and spiritual work out. Really Budokon has a very similar philosophy to Tai Chi Chuan and Bagua.
Budokon has not only impressed celebrities, but also professional athletes, including Kerri Walsh, who won an Olympic gold in women’s beach volleyball.
A Budokon warm up is again similar to a martial arts warm up – the joints are loosened and stretched – this helps prevent injury. Then a series of yoga postures, often incorporating elements of the sun salutation routine, are done to help warm the body up.
Budokon has gradings, like many other martial arts, so students can progress. The main thing that makes martial arts such a good way to get fit is that the grading system keeps students motivated and competitive. Healthy competition is essential to avoid becoming bored with a fitness regime.
Budokon has recently started to become more popular in the UK, and Cameron Shayne is aiming for it to become a leading fitness regime in the Britain. “I’d like to see British cities becoming thriving hubs for Budokon. My sense is a lot of people in the UK are like: get up, go to work, go to pub, go home, then get up and do it all again. There’s so much more to life.”
