Aikido: the Ki question - how does aikido work?

[@r.moon.e]

it is said, " where the mind goes the body follows" i've heard even aikido instructors saying, "i don't believe in 'ki" my reaction is to understand how differently people use that word and what they mean by it. i don't see anyone's approach as right or wrong. i see everyone exploring what interests them. in my present meaning/understanding of the word (and it grows and changes) the study of 'ki' allows us to know ourselves in finer dimensions - does it apply martially - it can be developed as a fighting art - as it explores the finer dimension of aiki-ju-jitsu. it comes from that lineage - later as o sensei developed his art and had his 'enlightenment experience' he developed it as an art of peace so - it can be trained as a martial art and / or seen as an exploration into "harmonizing with the universe". i like to muse that those on one side of the exploration seem to have 'snotty' things to say about people on the other. o sensei said, " aikido doesn't call relative affairs good or bad, but keeps all beings in a constant state of growth and development. he also said "create a beautiful world."

[@Kakushitoride]

So beautifully put, Sensei. Thank you for this video.

[@foxyrage4304]

Even I doubted ki.....then one firm grasp stopped me from writing....that was the dawn of a study

[@lordbyron3603]

Wow!, terrific presentation. TY Sensei.

[@user-xh9rw3wh3m]

This is fabulous, thank you so much for sharing! I feel I can see the students 'energy' recoiling back into them, rather than being translated into muscle power to attack. Do you know anyone teaching this style in London, England?

[@moonsensei]

suli san Let me check. I'll get back to you.

[@user-xh9rw3wh3m]

Thanks, it would be great if there is.

[@moonsensei]

Two dojo's that are friends and in London. www.eastsheenaikido.org.uk/ www.burwell-aikido.co.uk/

[@0suli]

moonsensei Thank you, both look great - unfortunately, they are both rather far so unsuitable for regular attendance. Many thanks for the links though and perhaps I'll contact them as they may know of places nearer to me.

[@BeautyFeedsMe]

"because i'm working essentially with who you are...."

[@MrGreenerMediations]

Very nice, Boychick! I'll share this.

[@erjkabaccino2681]

Kime!

[@moonsensei]

"Question: when you are talking about sensing on the neurological level in aikido practice, do you mean that you feel the intention of the person on a energetic level? How do you know that it is neurological and not on a gross physical level? Greetings from Integral Aikido Amsterdam - www.aikicontact.nl" we're going to have to find words to use for energy distinctions that we are only learning now to recognize. my track from kinetic to muscular to neural energy was an attempt to help people explore ki, not to take the mystery away but to see they are inter-twined. i hoped it would help people get a little feeling for the concept of finer dimensions. the idea like sun tzu said,you don't have to fight their armies if you can control the information they receive. but what seems important to me in all this is if you follow this process it takes you to the intent that sends the neural energy. and if you follow it it leads you to the source of that, eventually to the one source. the creative or creator and the creation are one. now to your question they are sort of the same like light waves at different frequencies. sensing finer doesn't diminish the ability to sense the denser. it helps you understand it in relation to a larger perspective. much like if we see uke and nage as one flow the experience of that perspective is transformative from the fight flight world of duality. as you' "calm the spirit and return to the source!" you naturally perceive finer dimensions. but they are like objects in the fog at first. with practice you get better at recognizing them, interpreting them and translating them into power in service of your bestowed mission.

[@moonsensei2]

sensing in a finer dimension does not preclude the sensation or experience of the courser dimension - it augments it. as when you turn up a light in a room and you see the room more clearly. you can see things not previously visible. as such in a finer dimension you can sense things that enhance your understanding of reality. no muscle acts unless stimulated by a finer energy that produces kinesthetic motion in the material world. through practicing to feel another, we come to know ourselves better. and yes, the danger of deluding ourselves is always a challenge. but there are clues that help: size, balance,center flow etc. and if we have a good uke they will reflect to us and enhance our learning. sorry to be so slow in responding.

[@r.moon.e]

The famous conversation is there such a thing as KI? Someone once asked Richard Feynman the physicist whether he believed in God and he responded by saying, "I refuse to answer the question until we can define the terms." I respect everyone's right to believe whatever they want, as we all do anyway. But I do wonder what anyone means when they use the word ki - as it's used in Japan, in my understanding from my teachers description, people are described as having happy ki or sad ki. so we don't need to make it into something particularly mystical and I'm imagining people who don't believe in ki may be defining it that way. And then I guess I wonder what might explains or what moves the muscles or stimulates the muscles to move if not energy (unless you might prefer a different word). i call it neural energy (and if you'd like we might make up another term) and if there is 'neural energy' then if we went back to its source, how would we look at or study or explain that And that would be only if we were interested in having a discussion for learning and sharing rather than establishing who is right. If not as our friend cosmic Jerry says, "whatever you think you're right!" And whatever you think I wish you the best in your training. The founder said, 'love generates harmony. harmony brings forth joy. joy is the greatest treasure." joyful 'ki' - - and that's what I wish for everyone

[@scottzappa9314]

I've felt it many times applied to me in martial arts including Aikido. It's just power that is not muscular in nature. It's also leverage and positioning. You're (and the doctor) very correct as you have to define the terms when discussing these obscure subjects. And Ki (Chi) is also defined differently according to what martial art you're doing.

[@davidmadisontheguardian]

I really like how you explain the difference between neural energy and muscular energy. You say, "I'm working with your neural energy BEFORE it becomes muscular energy....infinite possibilities open up." It's my feeling that ALL martial arts will do this, once you get to a high enough level. It was once said that all martial arts wind up at the top of the same mountain as you go along your journey. This idea of 'infinite possibilities opening up' seems real to me. I've seen it in action in things such as contact dance and contact juggling. The fluidity felt and seen is a result, I think, of this relaxing and feeling a deeper sensitivity to what's already there. Tonight, I wrote about how Aikido initiates the smallest of movements; and as time goes on, that movement swells; and as it swells, the coarser actions needed to be taken present themselves. But it is the TWO of you and what you are creating which dictates a move. Although, I believe that this is balanced by a strong intention of the one who is aware that they are moving from their center.

[@katana126]

Salve, pratico da 40 anni ki aikido, ma devo essere sincero che non ho mai visto fare che cose che a fatto vedere in questo video. Di quale scuola proviene? Grazie.

[@kennethkron4170]

We are students of Robert Nadeau. cityaikido.com/robert-nadeau-shihan-aikikai-aikido

[@moonsensei2]

O sensei used aikido and his path 'budo' - the way of the warrior to access the infinite. His gift to all of us was the process that he used, so that we might each access the infinite through our own path, and thereby "accomplish our bestowed mission"

[@stingsting6864]

+moonsensei2 Then how come 99% of Aikido practitioners never realize any Aiki skills ?

[@moonsensei2]

+sting sting hi not sure i understand the question. perhaps you'd like to say more though i do fear people mis-understand the art and see it as the techniques or just the centering or just the self-defense aspects so they train pieces or parts not the whole unified thing anyway not sure if you want to chat about it or just let it go happy to do either thanks for your time and attention thanks for watching and reaching out

[@stingsting6864]

+moonsensei2 Hi Sir, What I am trying to say in another way is that Aikido must come out of its vagueness into the light. I know Aiki skills are real, and can be explained by science, but the question remains does practicing Aikido as we know it today, develop our Aiki skills or should one look else were at other Aiki arts ? This question is very crucial so that people like myself don't spend most of their life studying an art that can't be used in a self defence situation.

[@moonsensei2]

+sting sting thank you for the clarification of what you are concerned about. i think it is a valid concern. maybe all the arts but aikido especially may need to pay attention to the distinction between training and fighting. some aikido teachers and many students are there for self-development more than self-defense. if you're clear on what you want, make sure you get it. find a teacher that teaches it. and i studied many fighting arts as well as aikido though i never fight hardly even argue but i wanted both. i went and found it. hope this helps. let me know if i can be of further assistance. best of luck on your journey.