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Aikido
is a Japanese martial art and is one of the highest forms of
self-defense. The techniques of Aikido allow one to blend with the
movement and energy of an attacker, not with conflict, but with perfect
timing, balance, and grace. The
purpose of Aikido training is to draw upon one’s inner wisdom to
discover a greater level of self-confidence and trust. The path of Aikido is the way of love, a path of compassion that
enables one to see the beauty and unity of all things.
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Ai
- "Harmony" |
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Ki
- "Spirit" or "Energy" |
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Do
- "The Way" |
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Aikido
Principles and Techniques
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The techniques of Aikido are practiced with
the principles of Aiki, or harmony. Aikido is the art of moving in perfect
harmony with natural rhythm. Aikido begins at the hara, or “one point,” which
is the center of one's power and intuitiveness. When you are balanced and
centered in your own feelings, your life becomes more harmonious.
The Aiki principles train your mind to be calm with clear perception so fear,
anger, or lack of confidence does not alter your body’s natural composure
and movement. Instead of becoming tense and rigid in an attack situation, you
can use the natural movements of Aikido to react with agility and efficiency.
You simply respond with the other person, rather than conflict against
them.
The four basic principles in
Aikido are:
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Keep One Point: Calm and focus
your mind at the “one point,” or hara, located in the lower abdomen.
The hara is not a fixed anatomical point, rather a point of mental focus
where there is no tension. When you “keep your one point” you have a
greater capacity to perceive things as they actually are, understand what
needs to be done, and accept change without losing composure.
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Relax
Completely: Release all
the stress from your body and allow yourself to relax positively. A person
suffering from stress finds it very difficult to relax completely, even
when sleeping. By relaxing completely and moving naturally, you are free
of tension and stress and therefore a much stronger person. You have the
agility to respond naturally to any situation and the flexibility to react
to any circumstance.
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Keep
Weight Underside: Let the weight of your body settle to its most
natural position. When the body is calm and free of tension, so is the
mind. A calm mind is like looking at a reflection of a still mountain
lake. With no waves to disturb the reflected image, the lake reflects its
surroundings perfectly without any distortions. Similarly, when your
weight is underside, your mind is calm and reflects naturally without any
distortions or exaggerations. A mind that is calm and composed processes
information better and has greater insights.
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Extend Ki:
Keep your Ki energies flowing and extending outward to the world around
you. The energy of the universe is known in Japan
as “Ki,” in
China
as “Chi,” and in
India
as “Prana.” This universal energy is the spirit of love and is the
life force that exists in all things. A person who “extends Ki” is
naturally positive and full of energy, relaxed and calm. To be alive and
healthy is to have Ki energy flowing within your body and extending
outward into the universe.
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Training with the
principles of Aikido allows you to gain confidence and trust in yourself,
which enables you to naturally connect harmoniously with others. By balancing
your mind, body, and spirit, your radiance increases within and is then
reflected to the world around you. When you live in harmony, you will have a
clear perspective in life, be able to solve problems easily, and have the
ability to recognize opportunities when they arise.
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Sword
Training
Sword Training in Aikido gives one an incredible sense of
timing, balance, intuition, and judgment.
These qualities are useful in developing a greater sense of self
to face each encounter in life with courage and serenity. Sword
training develops the ability to perform with greater
precision and focus – all with the clarity of a calm mind and centered
purpose.
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Aiki sword techniques are practiced with a wooden training sword called a bokken.
The bokken is always handled with great care and treated with the
utmost respect. The manner in which the sword is used reflects the level
of understanding of the student. The
sword is not considered an implement of destruction or a device to
inflate one’s ego, but a personal instrument that becomes an extension
of oneself. There is never any fighting in Aikido, since the mind
of defense is the same “fighting mind” as that of offense.
The entire concept of defending oneself soon disappears and is
replaced with a deeper perception of awareness and resolution.
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Michael
Chojnacki, known
as Kaminari Sensei, is the chief instructor of the Ten Chi Kai Aikido
Dojo in Watsonville, California. Michael
is a 4th degree black belt in Aikido, a 3rd degree black belt in
classical Goju Ryu Karate, and a certified Reiki II practitioner.
Michael is known for his highly effective teaching style that
produces exceptional martial art skills with a profound sense of
personal development. Michael has developed Ki (or Chi)
Energy techniques that are exciting to learn and help people eliminate
stress while discovering a profound sense of inner peace.
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