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In a galaxy far, far away Star Wars introduced us to the concept of the Force, which Obi Wan Kenobi described as an invisible energy field that flows through all living beings. Many Aikido practitioners receive training in Ki development because it is believed that a similar force, called Ki, flows through us in the same way and is the source of power, which originates from the Center or One-point. Key (no pun intended) to understanding this concept includes: The Unbendable Arm and Breathing to generate mental relaxation.
The Unbendable Arm - Among the first questions asked by new Aikido students is "what is this force and how do we know when we have it"? Many have heard the story of an individual generating the strength to free a loved-one trapped underneath a heavy object. We imagine the power of Ki as an untapped reservoir akin to the mass of an iceberg, which lies under the surface of the ocean. One of the first ki training exercises is Orenaite also known as the unbendable arm. Ki flows through the healthy body continuously and can be redirected to focus power in a specific location and direction. To help our students visualize this concept, we ask them to extend one arm straight and to imagine directing an imaginary stream of water from our center, through our head and out the arm in a powerful stream focused on putting our water. What we find is that this relaxed arm can be held straight much more powerfully than trying to consciously hold it straight with muscle power. This imaginary water is our visualization of the flowing ki energy.
Breathing to generate mental relaxation - Ki flow and the power derived from it are only possible when the mind is relaxed, which results in a relaxed body. Since one of the Four Basic Principles of Aikido is Relax Completely, the key (no pun intended) is to train the mind to relax so that the body can follow suit. Many Aikido dojos focus on the technique of Misogi breathing to help the student develop the skills needed to unify the mind and body. The student sits upright either in seiza (the Japanese position with the legs tucked under) or zazen (also known as Indian style), and looks forward and downward with eyes half shut. The focus is exclusively on breathing and how this exercise accomplishes it. Air is drawn in through the nose and is imagined to follow a path through the nostrils, into the head and down into the one-point or center which expands as the breath is taken in. As exhalation begins, the breath retraces its steps and exits the mouth with an "ahhhh" sound. During this time the one-point or center is imagined to contract to an infinitesimally small size. It is through the absolute focus on breathing that the worldly thoughts are shut out of consciousness. The mind can then relax and as it does the body relaxes. From the Four Basic Principles of Aikido we know that when the body is Relaxed Completely, that the other three components including Extend Ki are present. When the mind and body are unified and relaxed, Ki flows freely and the power generated by specific Aikido movements is maximized. It is through exercises like Misogi breathing that the mind is freed from extraneous thoughts and is permitted to fully relax, which allowing the student to think with a great deal more clarity.
When one observes someone who has internalized the principles of Aikido, he see an individual whose movements are relaxed and flowing. The mind that is calm relaxes the body and permits weight to naturally settle on the underside and allows the center to become the solid focal point of the technique. This relaxed mind "sees" everything from the potential threats to openings or opportunities. Finally, the relaxed mind and body are unified, which permits optimal, unrestricted ki flow and resultant power it generates.
Like the Force of Star Wars, Ki energy can be neither seen nor touched. It flows through our bodies and is the massive part of the iceberg, which lies just below the surface. Energy originates in and flows from the one-point or center. Instructional tools such as the unbendable arm can help illustrate this invisible source of energy and techniques such as Misogi breathing can help the student relax the mind to permit maximum flow of Ki energy.
The Unbendable Arm - Among the first questions asked by new Aikido students is "what is this force and how do we know when we have it"? Many have heard the story of an individual generating the strength to free a loved-one trapped underneath a heavy object. We imagine the power of Ki as an untapped reservoir akin to the mass of an iceberg, which lies under the surface of the ocean. One of the first ki training exercises is Orenaite also known as the unbendable arm. Ki flows through the healthy body continuously and can be redirected to focus power in a specific location and direction. To help our students visualize this concept, we ask them to extend one arm straight and to imagine directing an imaginary stream of water from our center, through our head and out the arm in a powerful stream focused on putting our water. What we find is that this relaxed arm can be held straight much more powerfully than trying to consciously hold it straight with muscle power. This imaginary water is our visualization of the flowing ki energy.
Breathing to generate mental relaxation - Ki flow and the power derived from it are only possible when the mind is relaxed, which results in a relaxed body. Since one of the Four Basic Principles of Aikido is Relax Completely, the key (no pun intended) is to train the mind to relax so that the body can follow suit. Many Aikido dojos focus on the technique of Misogi breathing to help the student develop the skills needed to unify the mind and body. The student sits upright either in seiza (the Japanese position with the legs tucked under) or zazen (also known as Indian style), and looks forward and downward with eyes half shut. The focus is exclusively on breathing and how this exercise accomplishes it. Air is drawn in through the nose and is imagined to follow a path through the nostrils, into the head and down into the one-point or center which expands as the breath is taken in. As exhalation begins, the breath retraces its steps and exits the mouth with an "ahhhh" sound. During this time the one-point or center is imagined to contract to an infinitesimally small size. It is through the absolute focus on breathing that the worldly thoughts are shut out of consciousness. The mind can then relax and as it does the body relaxes. From the Four Basic Principles of Aikido we know that when the body is Relaxed Completely, that the other three components including Extend Ki are present. When the mind and body are unified and relaxed, Ki flows freely and the power generated by specific Aikido movements is maximized. It is through exercises like Misogi breathing that the mind is freed from extraneous thoughts and is permitted to fully relax, which allowing the student to think with a great deal more clarity.
When one observes someone who has internalized the principles of Aikido, he see an individual whose movements are relaxed and flowing. The mind that is calm relaxes the body and permits weight to naturally settle on the underside and allows the center to become the solid focal point of the technique. This relaxed mind "sees" everything from the potential threats to openings or opportunities. Finally, the relaxed mind and body are unified, which permits optimal, unrestricted ki flow and resultant power it generates.
Like the Force of Star Wars, Ki energy can be neither seen nor touched. It flows through our bodies and is the massive part of the iceberg, which lies just below the surface. Energy originates in and flows from the one-point or center. Instructional tools such as the unbendable arm can help illustrate this invisible source of energy and techniques such as Misogi breathing can help the student relax the mind to permit maximum flow of Ki energy.
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