The Jungshin Story

PART 1: Building a Physical Foundation

The Jungshin Fitness story began with the physical, mental, and emotional evolution of its founder Annika Kahn. From a very early age, Annika found sanctuary in exercise and the refuge that intense and focused training brought from her challenging up-bringing. Using movement as a form of meditation, she increased her strength and power to compliment her mental preparation. An accomplished competitive athlete, she recognized and harnessed the power of the critical mind/body connection to earn national and world championship rankings in the sports of swimming, tennis, rowing and running.

After a life-altering car accident, Annika shifted her focus and began her journey in the Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won—a practice that integrates a spectrum of Asian fighting arts, weapons training, physical conditioning and mental development. For the next decade, she dedicated herself to the art, training up to six hours a day and achieving a third degree black belt. At the peak of her physical achievements, she exercised speed and self-discipline, experiencing a heightened amount of natural energy and a true passion for life.

PART II: Developing the Focused Mind

Jungshin Means “Straight Spirit” or “Awakened Mind.”  Jungshin Fitness was born through the birth of Annika’s son. With the arrival of her favorite human in the entire world, also came serious spinal injuries accrued from a long, intensive labor. With a long road to health on the horizon, Annika knew she needed to embrace and live the literal meaning of Jungshin: “awakened mind” or “straight spirit.” Once again, Annika looked toward her lifelong practice of physical training and mental focus to overcome adversity through moving meditation. Initially, she picked up the sword as a tool to heal her injured spine. She began developing simple strikes and stances, with coordination and intent, to strengthen the muscles supporting her spine. As she grew stronger, the sword became more than a weighted tool to gain strength, or an implement of force. The sword became an extension of her body and its rhythmic use had a focusing, meditative effect—enabling a focused mind. Jungshin became a warrior workout that transforms both mind and body through attitude and approach.

PART III: Fostering Everyone’s Warrior Within

Beyond her personal journey back to health, Annika recognized that anyone can benefit from the integration of martial arts with modern conditioning that is Jungshin Fitness. The sequencing of stances, strikes, slices, and flows using the organic, weighted lever of the wooden sword resulted in an authentic movement system that brings out warrior attributes in everyone. Participants realized the powerful benefits of exercise with a relaxed and focused mind through a dynamic, full-body rotational workout leaving them empowered and revitalized.

Jungshin Fitness is destined to help individuals transform their bodies and minds. The program is rapidly gaining in popularity as Annika teaches classes and shares the Jungshin philosophy with master trainers across the US and internationally. We are creating a fitness movement that encourages passion and motivation and that is inclusive of everyone regardless of fitness ability. We are cultivating a global community of noble warriors, empowered and confident, who embrace the power of their mind/body connection to lead healthy, balanced and fulfilled lives.

To learn more about realizing your personal warrior attributes, reach out to our team at info@jungshinfitness.com.