Is Aikido for me?
Yes. If you want to learn a martial art without all the kicking and jumping around that others do.
The movements of Ki Aikido are the gentlest of any Aikido style, yet when mastered, they are extremely powerful. Human ability is like an iceberg, the small, visible portion of the iceberg represents our body. The vast unseen portion lying beneath the surface is our mind, which is boundless. The Ki Aikido artist uses the possibilities discovered when mind and body unify to lead the attacker's mind to a peaceful resolution of conflict.
Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido is not a martial art with the goal of winning against your opponent. Its purpose is to acquire the true sense of mind and body unification through studying mind moves body (the principle of KI) By truly experiencing the flow of KI within the body, you can produce movement that is free and beautiful. This movement helps to polish your personality and will be effective in all situations of your life. Age and physical ability are no handicap to studying Ki-Aikido, it is an art well suited to women as strength is not required and there is no competitiveness within the style.
Among the techniques of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, you'll find Hitori-waza (single-person technique), Kumi-waza (paired technique), and Tsuzuki-waza /Taigi (continuously executed technique). Hitori-waza: A solo individual performs these Aikido techniques. This practice helps you to learn to constantly maintain mind and body unification even through intense movements.
Kumi-waza: You perform these Aikido techniques with a partner. This practice helps you to learn correct technique from wrong and to learn to lead the mind of your partner with proper respect to his mind.
Tsuzuki-waza: You engage in a series of techniques carried out consecutively, one after another. This practice helps you to learn to maintain mind and body unification consistently while continuously executing the series.
Also in Ki Aikido you learn Bokken (wooden sword) and Jo (staff). Through the simple fact that you are holding a weapon in your hand and by learning how to use the weapon, you learn to maintain unification of mind and body. By learning Aikido techniques correctly, you also learn how to maintain correct posture, how to relax, how to stay calm in a crisis.
Our goal is to study KI through the physical practice of a martial art. By studying physically, you learn true mind and body unification. You not only learn Aikido techniques, but you learn to apply KI to all aspects of life.