The Power of Short Stories in Judo
The third international workshop within the Be Judo Zen initiative took place on 10 October 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, at the Gendai Center, Leskoškova 6. The workshop, titled The Power of Short Stories in Judo, explored how short stories, fables, legends and symbols from judo philosophy can be used to teach values, emotional stability, adaptability, empathy and inclusion. The programme took place from 15:40 to 19:00.
A total of 65 participants attended the workshop, including 30 coaches, assistants and volunteers, 31 judokas and 4 parents. Participants came from clubs and organisations from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia, giving the event a strong international and collaborative character. The workshop brought together experienced inclusive judo coaches, young judokas, parents and project partners from all three participating countries.
The workshop combined short lectures, guided reflection, discussion and practical examples. The main focus was on using stories as educational tools in judo. Participants explored how stories and metaphors can help children, young people and adults understand complex life and sport-related concepts. Special attention was given to the connection between storytelling, mindful judo practice, emotional regulation and stronger community relationships both on and off the tatami.
The first session was led by Dr Viktorija Pečnikar Oblak, 2nd Dan, Robert Kojc, 3rd Dan, Boštjan Fink, 6th Dan, and Mojmir Kovač, 6th Dan.
The introductory session presented the aims of the Be Judo Zen project and the role of the Ljubljana workshop within the training programme implementation. Coaches were introduced to the idea of using short stories as didactic tools in judo. The presenters emphasized that stories are not merely an additional element of training, but can help reduce anxiety, open discussion about emotions and values, and make abstract judo principles more accessible to different age groups and ability levels.
The second content block was led by Dr Viktorija Pečnikar Oblak. Participants were introduced to the literary form of the fable and the importance of its moral message. The central example was Aesop’s fable The Oak and the Reed, which contrasts the rigid strength of the oak with the flexible resilience of the reed. Its message, that it is better to be flexible than rigid, was directly linked to judo principles. A judoka does not oppose force with force, but adapts, “bends” and redirects the opponent’s energy.
Through discussion, coaches reflected on how such stories can be adapted for children of different ages, abilities and needs. A key point was that metaphors help children understand demanding principles such as yielding, balance, self-control and resilience.
The next session was led by Robert Kojc, 3rd Dan, and Boštjan Fink, 6th Dan. Participants explored Itsutsu no kata, “the form of five”, which focuses not primarily on individual techniques, but on the principles and natural forces represented through movement. The symbolic link between the five forms and the five elements — fire, water, wind, earth and void — was presented.
Special emphasis was placed on understanding kata as a story in movement. Water in different forms, such as flow, vortex and tidal wave, was used as a metaphor for key judo principles: continuous action, redirection of energy, control of the center and avoidance of destructive collision. In this way, participants learned that kata is not only a technical exercise, but also a method for developing mindfulness, inner balance and a deeper understanding of judo philosophy.
The fourth session was led by Mojmir Kovač, 6th Dan. The central theme was Jita Kyoei, meaning mutual benefit or mutual prosperity for oneself and others. Through group games and practical tasks, participants explored how values in judo are not learned only through explanation, but above all through experience.
The session highlighted cooperation, trust, respect, responsibility and a sense of belonging to the group. Participants also reflected on how values are connected with emotions: how we feel when we are supported, excluded, proud, frustrated, calm or accepted. Through this approach, Jita Kyoei became a concrete experience on the tatami, not just a written principle.
At the end of the didactic part, Certificates of Attendance were awarded to all participants. In addition, special Jita Kyoei diplomas were presented to judokas and coaches who contributed to building an inclusive, supportive and respectful atmosphere. This part of the event emphasized recognition, gratitude and the importance of shared learning.
The final part of the workshop was dedicated to an internal evaluation meeting with project partners from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. Partners discussed how the Ljubljana workshop complements the previous workshops in Croatia and Serbia, and how the content on stories, legends, kata symbolism and values will be integrated into the future Interactive Be Judo Zen Guidebook.
The Ljubljana workshop showed that stories in judo can be a powerful tool for explaining values, strengthening emotional resilience and promoting inclusion. By connecting fables, legends, Itsutsu no kata and the principle of Jita Kyoei, participants discovered how judo can become a space for technical, personal and community growth. The event meaningfully complemented the previous workshops in Velika Gorica and Sombor and strengthened the foundation for the further development of mindful and inclusive judo practices.
Holistic Judo Training: Relaxation Exercises for the Body and Mind through Judo
The second workshop within the Be Judo Zen initiative took place on 30 August 2025 in Sombor, Serbia, at the Sport Association for Inclusive Judo and Sambo Sport “Sensei-IN”. The workshop was held under the title Relaxation Exercises for the Body and Mind through Judo and focused on practical relaxation techniques that can be used in therapy, coaching and everyday judo training. The programme took place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A total of 70 participants attended the workshop, including 26 coaches, 28 judokas, assistants, volunteers, parents, special education teachers and primary school teachers. This diverse group gave the workshop a strong inclusive character, bringing together sports professionals, children, families and educators in a shared learning environment. Special attention was given to working with children with developmental difficulties, individuals with disabilities and typically developing children.
The first two sessions were led by Boris Pozder, M.A. in Special Education.
The introductory session presented the theoretical framework of relaxation and explained why relaxation techniques are an important part of working with children with developmental difficulties. Participants learned how relaxation can support emotional and physical balance, reduce tension and improve children’s readiness to take part in training. The session provided essential knowledge about the role of relaxation in supporting well-being, learning and inclusion in sports activities.
The second session was supported by numerous video demonstrations and practical examples. The lecturer presented relaxation techniques commonly used in therapeutic practice, showing how they can also be effectively integrated into judo training. Particular emphasis was placed on breathing exercises, sensory integration, body awareness and gradual calming techniques. Participants learned how coaches can use these approaches to support emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, improve focus and concentration, strengthen motor control and increase children’s readiness for learning.
The third session was led by Sajonela Krga, MSc in Physical Education and Sports, with the assistance of judo coach assistant Ljiljana Rudić.
The final practical part of the workshop focused on guided relaxation, stretching and movement activities adapted to judo. Through demonstrations and group work, participants learned how these techniques can be applied with children with developmental difficulties, individuals with disabilities and typically developing children. The exercises were aimed at reducing stress and anxiety, improving self-regulation, increasing flexibility and coordination, and strengthening body awareness within judo training.
The workshop was highly interactive. It combined lectures, video demonstrations, practical exercises and work in pairs and small groups. Coaches, judokas, parents and teachers actively participated, creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment. This approach helped participants better understand the needs of children while also strengthening cooperation between sport, education, therapy and families.
The feedback was very positive. Coaches emphasized the practical value of relaxation and mindfulness techniques in everyday training. Parents highlighted the importance of introducing relaxation strategies into sports practice, especially as a way to help children manage stress and anxiety. Teachers and special educators appreciated the multidisciplinary approach, which connected therapeutic, educational and sports-related knowledge. Judokas reported feeling more relaxed and more aware of their body movements after the guided exercises.
The workshop in Sombor successfully demonstrated that relaxation is not a separate activity, but a valuable tool that can be embedded directly into judo training. By combining relaxation techniques, mindfulness, stretching and movement, the event contributed to the holistic development of athletes, better emotional stability, greater resilience and more meaningful inclusion of children with different needs in the sports environment.
Holistic Judo Training: Core Stability and Mindfulness through DNS and Yoga
The first workshop within the Be Judo Zen initiative was successfully held on 5 April 2025 in Velika Gorica, Croatia. The aim of the workshop was to connect modern approaches to physical preparation, injury prevention and mental well-being with the specific demands of judo. The programme was designed as a holistic training experience, combining breathing techniques, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), practical DNS applications in judo, and yoga as a supportive therapeutic method.
A total of 43 participants attended the workshop, showing strong interest in training content that goes beyond traditional judo practice. The workshop highlighted the importance of proper movement, body control, concentration, breathing and inner calmness. Through lectures and practical exercises, participants gained useful knowledge that can be applied in daily training, competition preparation and recovery.
The first two sessions were led by Marko Drašković, MSc in Kinesiotherapy.
In the introductory session, participants were introduced to the basic principles of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization. Special attention was given to the importance of correct breathing, activation of deep core stabilizers and postural control. The session explained how proper core stability can improve athletic performance, create safer movement patterns and support more efficient force transfer during judo techniques.
The practical part of the workshop demonstrated how DNS techniques can be integrated directly into judo training. Participants learned exercises aimed at improving balance, coordination, body control and stability in movement situations typical for judo. A strong emphasis was placed on injury prevention, as proper body stabilization helps reduce unnecessary stress on joints and muscles.
The third session was led by Brankica Butorac, BSc in Kinesiotherapy.
The final part of the workshop focused on yoga and mindfulness as tools for supporting the mental health of judokas. The interactive session included breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, mindfulness practices and selected yoga postures adapted to the needs of athletes. Participants learned how yoga can help reduce stress, improve focus, support recovery and increase body awareness.
The workshop in Velika Gorica successfully launched the Be Judo Zen initiative and demonstrated that combining judo, kinesiotherapy, breathing, stabilization and mindfulness is an important step toward the more complete development of athletes.
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