Zama-shiwo was a martial art native to the moon Jedha. Prior to the First Battle of Geonosis, the Jedi Padawan Charlin Plaka received training in zama-shiwo during a mission to Jedha.
The Guardian of the Whills Chirrut Îmwe was a master of the art, and when the Rodian Steya moved to Jedha City with her family before the end of the Clone Wars she asked that he teach her. For several years, Steya, who was obsessed with martial arts, met with Îmwe in the mornings to practice zama-shiwo in front of the Temple of the Kyber. The art was known as "the inward eye of the outward hand." Zama-shiwo allegedly allowed its practitioners to alter their heart rate and oxygen intake, giving them almost supernatural powers. During the events of the Battle of Scarif, Chirrut Imwe made use of the art in his final moments to ensure that he would not experience suffering even as he was losing blood and neared death.
Zama-shiwo first appeared in the novelization for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which was written by Alexander Freed and released on December 1, 2016. It was later expounded on in the novel Guardians of the Whills, which was written by Greg Rucka and released on May 2, 2017.
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – The Official Collector's Edition
- Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, Updated and Expanded
- Star Wars: Geektionary: The Galaxy from A - Z