Welcome to Holistic Budo, a site about how The Arts have changed my life and the lives of  others.

My name is Robert Van Valkenburgh and I have been involved in both Martial Arts and Holistic Arts for the better part of 20 years now.  I am co-founder of The Taikyoku Mind & Body Collective which explores Chinese internal strength training applied through Japanese classical and modern martial arts. I am also co-owner/operator of Kogen Dojo in Severna Park, MD where I practice and teach Taikyoku Budo & Kiko, as well as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Holistic Budo is dedicated to the exploration of Human Evolution through The Arts, from the creative arts such as music, art and literature, to the martial arts and holistic arts. In a world of Digital Technology, Holistic Budo represents a Renaissance of Humanity.

In the 21st Century, we have experienced advancements in technology and communication at a rate heretofore unknown to human civilization.  I believe, this rapid advancement in technology is a double-edged sword, as likely to protect and advance our life as it is to cut us down and destroy us if wielded irresponsibly.  We must balance our digital lives with our humanity, but how?

On one hand, relative to our environment, we are evolving faster than we ever have as a species, with groundbreaking, life changing technology appearing at every moment.  On the other hand, we are losing touch with nature, with each other, and with our inner selves.  Through a Renaissance of The Arts, we have the ability to reconnect to the deepest and most real parts of ourselves and the world around us.

If your life has been improved, changed, or even saved by The Arts, Arts, whether through music, painting, cooking, dance, martial arts, holistic arts, whatever form of healing self-expression you have found, I want to hear or read your story.

Send me a message HERE.

Who knows? Maybe a new community, a Renaissance of the Arts, will grow out of our common bond through Holistic Budo.

-Robert Van Valkenburgh

Go to the blog HERE