How I Experienced Ki in Aikido 🥋

Sensei was always fond of mentioning “one point”. He would always tell us to keep one point or focus our minds on that one point. It was my first time to attend a martial arts class so I didn’t really understand what it was all about.

I thought when I joined Aikido class I’d study how to break bones and joints like a certain fighting game character in the video below who supposedly fights using Aikido (the reason why I joined). 👊

It turned out I joined a dojo that taught the most esoteric and soft style version of Aikido - Shinshin Toitsu , also known as Ki No Kenkyukai. I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t as combative as other arts but I was fascinated by it’s “mystical” side. Sensei devoted a considerable amount of our training time in kiatsu or cultivating Ki. He believed that ki exercises promoted good health & well-being and it was something we can bring with us outside of martial arts practice.

I learned that “one point” is central to ki exercise and meditation. It’s said to be on the lower abdomen 2 inches below the navel and it’s where the ki is concentrated. We would spend about 15-20 minutes in various kiatsu such as Unbendable Arm and Immovable Body.

As I kept attending classes, I felt my sensitivity to ki grow stronger. I began to feel the ki tingle across my arms and body during training. At one time we were made to do intermediate ki meditation. We were in sitting position and had the index & thumb of each hand formed like a letter “C”.

We put both “C” fingers together while the rest of the fingers clasped each other, then we would meditate and visualize ki flowing from the one point like water from a hydrant flowing into our arms and swirl around the joined C fingers. I was already training for some months and it was my most powerful experience of aiki. I could feel the tingling “electric” energy flowing all over my arms and body and pulsating where it swirled on my fingers.

I was still “charged” with ki when I went home that night. I wanted to show my sister the new technique I learned and I demonstrated the move on her with just the minimal amount of strength but I ended up slamming her on the floor! 😦

Did the ki somehow enhance my physical ability and made me not realize my own strength? I always use the same amount of minimal strength when showing a technique to my sis but this time it was different. Thankfully she didn’t hit her head on the floor. 😅

I also noticed that I felt more confident, calm and at ease the more I trained in Aiki.
I miss those days. My sensei passed on a few years ago and I’ve slacked in my Aikido practice. I’ve since trained in more “secular” arts but nothing compares to the experience I’ve had with Ki Aikido. Perhaps it’s time to find a new dojo and re-learn kiatsu that unifies the Mind, Body and Spirit.

⭐

Have you had experiences with ki or chi in your martial arts training? What are your thoughts about ki or chi in the martial arts? Share your comments below. 😊

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