Shinichi Tohei's Ki Weblog

Showing No Openings (Weak Points)

A Short Instruction:

The purpose of this article is to apply the Ki principle (mind moves the body) which is the fundamental of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido to our daily life.

It is not enough just to read, but it is important to positively practice the subject given each month. Learning through practice will be your lifelong asset.

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Showing No Openings (Weak Points)

In martial arts the phrase “showing no openings (to have no weak point)” is very important. In Shinshin Toitsu Aikido trainings, we practice the standing posture or holding bokken which have no room to be overrun. To show no openings is also very important in daily life, especially with human relationships. When do you think people can easily make the room to be overrun?

First, speaking ill of others could create such an opening. For example, “A” is dissatisfied with “B”, and while B is not around, A says negative things about B. Assuming that B would not hear about it, this is a behavior that creates an opening.

Of course, there is always a possibility of someone else tells B what A speaks around and he/she often distort A’s words or even add some evil meanings. This could lead to a worse result, than when A complains directly to B.

Let’s talk about another example of an “opening”.　

The one who spreads minus Ki through dissatisfaction and gossip, attracts negative persons. This is like self-voluntarily inviting minus. There is also a possibility of someone sneaking up behind, use A’s negative feelings of B, to benefit themselves.

I have been teaching the principles of Ki to many company executives. After the classes, they come with many questions about their problems in the company. Half of the trouble in these relationships is due to a little carelessness on the part of the executives, themselves. In an unguarded moment, they invite negative Ki or persons.

The one who does not gossip or pass on rumors has no “openings” or weak points. There is no room to invade this person. Managers and leaders, who have responsibility, should show no “openings”/weak points in behavior, speech and actions.

Another example of an “opening” is to keep your friends or someone important away and be out of contact.

Imagine “C” and “D” are good friends, but both become busy and have not heard from each other for several months. Then C hears somebody say that D is talking badly about C. C thinks, “D could never say that.” The rumors could not have any justification under normal circumstances, but because either have not met for awhile, it would be difficult to verify, thus cause both to become estranged. 

Because of situations like those above, relationships can be damaged or destroyed.

Perhaps there could be a bigger reason for this estrangement. “E” could be a very bad person, notice that there is some distance between C and D. E deliberately gives unnecessary information to C, and make C and D feel apart. Especially if E says to C “please make it a secret what you heard from me”. This makes C difficult to verify/confront D about the rumors.

To leave one’s relationship without Ki communication by not keeping in touch could make the room to be misused by someone else. Even one phone call or one letter exchanged could connect each strongly and when something happens, they can ask directly without any hesitation. There is no room for E to step in.

It could be that one might blame E for trying to step in and make C&D’s communication bad.  However, if all you can do is to say “What E has done is bad”, it does not do anything to protect relationships. It is a fact that people who like to cause problems are inevitable in life, so the effort to make sure there is no “opening” is very important.

Even with relationships in daily life there are many other examples of “openings”. Please find many other probable reasons for it. 

Protecting Oneself

A Short Instruction:

The purpose of this article is to apply the Ki principle (mind moves the body) which is the fundamental of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido to our daily life.

It is not enough just to read, but it is important to positively practice the subject given each month. Learning through practice will be your lifelong asset.

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Protecting Oneself

Many people think the “Art of Self-Defense” as “how to cope when being attacked by bad people”. Learning how to handle an attacker, by training on a daily basis, of course, would be a good thing. However, in an actual situation, it is too late to begin “handling” an attacker after already being attacked.

The true Self-Defense is to sense and evade the danger ahead of time. So training how to sense danger is actually very important.

In a train station or inside the train, if you try looking around, most people around are looking at the screens of their mobile phone or at game consoles. They do not pay much attention to or have much interest in the people around them. Therefore, if there is any threat of approaching danger, they would not be able to sense it.

To be able to protect oneself, there is a minimum distance needed around oneself. This is referred to as “Maai”, but when surrounded in a crowded place, it is difficult to be able to create the distance around oneself. This would be especially so, when in a train or bus or the inside of an elevator. When someone whom one is not familiar with comes inside “Maai”, one should recognize and check what state of mind these people are exhibiting.

When you have an uncomfortable feeling, you put in place a natural distance from that person or get on the next train or elevator. But when concentrating on a mobile phone or game console, one may actually invite danger inside Maai. Extending Ki to the surroundings is actually fundamental in the protection of oneself.

Some days ago while it was raining, I was driving my car and what I saw caught my attention. There was a person riding on his bicycle with earphones in his ears, while holding an umbrella and also flickering at the screen of his mobile phone. Already, it seems obvious that being aware of his surroundings is disregarded and he may be inviting danger.

Those who always use a mobile phone or game console while being out in a public area should first please look around you for one day. You will realize many things that you were not aware before.

“Protecting Oneself” applies the same to human relationships.

In human relationships there is also “natural distance (Maai)”. In protecting oneself there is a minimum distance required. Unlike physical distance, the “distance” in relationships is not visible. This is felt by sense and the only way to learn would be through experience.

In regards to this, we will continue further at another opportunity.

Giving up the other options resolutely

A Short Instruction:

The purpose of this article is to apply the Ki principle (mind moves the body) which is the fundamental of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido to our daily life.

It is not enough just to read, but it is important to positively practice the subject given each month. Learning through practice will be your lifelong asset.

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Giving up the other options resolutely

“Decisions” usually involve stress. After making a decision, the end result often affects not only oneself but also other people involved. The more people are affected, the greater stress is felt by the decision maker.

When a mind does not have enough strength to overcome this stress, avoiding decisions and leaving unfavorable situations continuing will often be the end result.

Needless to say, before making a decision, gathering and analyzing as accurate and as much information as possible is very important. However, even after gathering and analyzing all the information, the final decision must be made.

Making a decision means “resolutely giving up the other choices and options”. If you have choices both “to do” and “not to do”, the end result for you will be one of always wondering which option you should choose. The mind will become weaker from being indecisive.

Resolutely giving up the “do or not do” attitude, and being determined “to do”, your mind will not lose focus and will become stronger. It is the same thing if you give up the option of “doing” and are determined not to do, your mind will be focused and get stronger.   By giving up the other choices resolutely, there will be no regret about the decision later.

Having too many alternatives/options at the same time, may seem like a good thing, but in fact it may cause you to waver in the decision making.

The fact that work can be chosen freely nowadays is a good thing, but at the same time, many choices or options of work may cause people to waver in deciding what to do. When one can live in an environment without working, one is blessed, but even that may cause one to waver whether to work or not.

Even though one may be materially privileged, this still might lead to a great doubt and waver and cause weakness of mind, which is ironic.

The same is true of Aikido training.

Having the choice of “to train” or “not to train” causes people to waver. People in society nowadays are particularly busy. It is very easy to find excuses for “not training”. For example “I will not train today because it is too hot.”

That is why, if one started Aikido for some reasons, one should be firmly resolved.  For instance, “I will continue at least for one year”, or “I will continue until I attain Shodan level”. In this case one should resolutely give up the choice of “discontinuing at half way”.

The same is true when doing Ukemi for 100 times.

If one has the choice of “not having to do the Ukemi training for 100 times”, it will cause the mind to grow weaker. When always in doubt and wavering, the mind and the body tend to get tired and it will be hard to continue. When the choice of stopping midway during Ukemi training is given up, the mind will grow stronger and the mind and the body will become at ease during the training.

“When it gets tough, it is OK to sometimes stop halfway.” This may seem easy to the ear, but may in fact cause wavering, and the mind will become weak. For teaching children especially, parents need to be careful of this kind of attitude. This is not actually love but just feeling pity.

The same is applied not only to Aikido, but also to the other lessons and classes to learn something in our daily lives. Even once we have started to learn something, wondering whether to “continue” or “discontinue” and stopping learning is a real waste.

If bad habits are acquired at a young age, one will get habits of wavering and stopping midway in doing anything. If one does not choose the option of “stopping”, one should give up the choice of the same with the firm intention, and make best efforts on what one is doing.

“Making decision” means “Giving up the other choices resolutely”. It is a fact that if one decisively gives up the other options, the mind will be positively stronger.

Applying Ki to Sports

A Short Instruction:

The purpose of this article is to apply the Ki principle (mind moves the body) which is the fundamental of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido to our daily life.

It is not enough just to read, but it is important to positively practice the subject given each month. Learning through practice will be your lifelong asset.

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Applying Ki to Sports

Over the past one year, there have been ties with a variety of sports players. As is common in any sport, the basic posture needs to be stable in order to achieve favorable results. If the posture is unstable and collapses, throwing, hitting, and kicking the ball will be negatively effected.

In an attempt to stabilize the posture, some people hold firm when taking a stance. In this case, the body will become tense. When we check it by “Ki Testing”, we can come to know that this posture that seems stable is actually unstable.

The natural posture has natural stability. The human posture is originally stable, so by exerting strength unnecessarily or by being collapsed, the posture will become unstable.

By acquiring a natural posture, we can have a lasting stability without consciously trying to do so, and we will be able to maintain stability even in very intense movement. In Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, the above natural posture is called “the state with Mind and Body coordinated (Toitsu-tai)”.

Many sports athletes are learning this Toitsu-tai (Mind and Body Coordination).

What is equally important in any sport, is whether the player can exert one’s own ability in the important situations and occasions. The solution to this issue is to “calm the mind”.

Generally, when we are calm, our mind is in the lower abdomen. In daily life, often our mind comes up. In Japanese, the state of one’s anger is said as “coming up to the head”. What comes to the head is one’s own mind. Also in Japanese, “becoming tense” is said as “going up”. It includes the same meanings.

Even when we learn the correct posture, if our mind comes up towards the head, stability will be lost. If you are unable to perform in an important situation, it is because your mind goes up.

The place where we can not put tension on our lower abdomen is called “One Point in the lower abdomen”. And to train the mind to be calm at the One Point is the most important thing. Incidentally, the words “Seika-Tanden” refers to the entire abdomen, whereas the “One Point” is different. This topic has been more carefully described in my book “Calm your Mind” (Japanese edition). I would appreciate it if you could read it.

Many sports athletes are learning about the One Point.

In Ki Society dojos, there are not only Aikido classes, but also Shinshin Toitsu Do classes (Ki classes) to learn stable posture and Ki breathing. Those who want to improve in their chosen sport, please come over. We will continue to support not only instructors and members of Ki Society, but also those who want to grow and develop in many fields.

Announcement of the Results of the 30th All Japan Shinshin Toitsu Aikido Taigi Competition

This is to announce the result of the 30^th All Japan Shinshin Toitsu Aikido Taigi Competition.

Because of the effect of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the 30^th All Japan Shinshin Toitsu Aikido Taigi Competition was held at the Osaka Central Gymnasium in Osaka instead of Ki Society H.Q. (Tochigi prefecture).

This time, participants of only “Under 18 division” and “University division” performed. 120 students of high schools and universities participated from all over Japan.

Prize winners’ names (without Mr. / Ms.) and their schools, universities are as follows. Congratulations.

Under 18 division

[Individual]

Gold prize:          Kengo SHIMADA, Ken WATANABE

                            (Keio Senior High School)

Silver prize:         Yuki TSUDO, Kosuke KUSAKARI

                            (Keio Senior High School)

Bronze prize:       Takumi OTSU, Yuki ISHIKAWA

                            (Keio Senior High School)

[Group]

Gold prize:          Keio Senior High School

Silver prize:         N/A

Bronze prize:       N/A

University division

[Individual]

Gold prize:          Noriaki KURIHARA,

                           Hiroaki NISHIBAYASHI

                           (Hiroshima Shudo University)

Silver prize:         Koichiro TACHIBANA, Taro USHIO

                            (Keio University)

Bronze prize:       Miteki IKEDA, Makoto SOGABE

                            (Hiroshima University)

4^th prize:              Emiri OKI, Kumiko NAKAYAMA

                            (Hiroshima Shudo University)

5^th prize:              Tomoya NISHIMURA,

                           Fumiaki IWASAKI

                            (Hiroshima University)

6^th prize:              Yuta KIHARA, Syogo KUMAMOTO

                            (Keio University)

[Group]

Gold prize:          Keio University

Silver prize:         Hiroshima Shudo University

Bronze prize:       Waseda University

This competition was made possible with the kind cooperation, support and donations from many people. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to those contributors. Thank you very much.

Report of Farewell Reception for Koichi Tohei Sensei

Report of Farewell Reception for Koichi Tohei Sensei

The Farewell Reception for Koichi Tohei Sensei was held on 17^th July 2011, at the Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple in Tokyo. Despite the extremely hot weather, more than a thousand people attended. In addition, we received a number of flower tributes and condolences. Thank you very much for your kind arrangements.

Koichi Tohei Sensei was not only an irreplaceable teacher to me, but he was also my father.

He was born in 1920, in January of this year, he celebrated his 91^st birthday. Since then he had been enjoying his good health, however, he got pneumonia. He was hospitalized at the Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital, and on the 19^th of May, he eventually passed away.

Fortunately, I was able to care for him and witness his last moments. Tohei Sensei’s face at that time, seemed very calm and happy. Moments after he passed away, I felt a deep sorrow, but soon after, I felt that the whole room was filled with plus Ki for the future.

Tohei Sensei had been teaching the principles of Ki through Shinshin Toitsu Aikido around the world. By knowing the principles of Ki in daily life, we can apply this method and learn to go through life in a strong and positive way. At present not only members, but also Major League players are studying this teachings.

As the successor of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, I will continue to spread the teaching more deeply and widely in the future, and also continue to be committed to supporting people who wish to grow and develop. Together with everyone, I walk towards the future.

Finally, to everyone who attended the Farewell Reception, also to everyone who tried to attend but could not attend, and also to everyone who helped and supported the Farewell Reception to be held in any way, I hereby express my sincere appreciation.

Teaching is Communication

A Short Instruction:

The purpose of this article is to apply the Ki principle (mind moves the body) which is the fundamental of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido to our daily life.

It is not enough just to read, but it is important to positively practice the subject given each month. Learning through practice will be your lifelong asset.

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Teaching is Communication

I am the President of the Ki Society.  We have more than 300 instructors in Japan. Instructors teach in each dojo throughout the country. Ki Society holds regular seminars for instructors and I teach “Teaching methods” and “Rules for Instructors” directly to them.

As there is always a first time for everybody, there is also a first time for instructors to teach. It was the same for me. When I first started teaching, I was immature as instructor. Inexperienced instructors tend to convey too much of their own knowledge and skills, that is “teaching too much”. Nevertheless to say even this is out of kindness.

From the students’ side, if they are taught too many things at once, they will become confused and not be able to understand.

Teaching is not one-way communication from instructor to students, but two-way communication between instructor and students.

It is important to observe your students well, in order to know what they need and to teach with the best timing. This is the same as doctors prescribing for patients.  Doctors look at the patient`s condition then select the appropriate drug for the patient. If a doctor were to prescribe all kinds of medication that he knows to his patient, it will become very confusing for the patient.

If you do not observe your students very well, you may say unnecessary things and this may impair the student. To be able to see and feel the condition of the student, it is especially important to observe their Ki. Here is one example.

Students who understand what you teach extend plus Ki. We feel comfortable when we can understand something. Students who do not understand what you teach extend minus Ki. We feel uncomfortable when we cannot understand well. The feelings of anxiety and frustration in the student, can be seen through changes in facial expressions and gestures.

That is, if you see and feel students’ Ki carefully, you can know whether the student understands or not.

If the student extends plus Ki after you teach, the teaching is regarded as appropriate. On the other hand, if the students extend minus Ki after you teach, the teaching is not regarded as appropriate. Also when you teach too much the student always extends some signal.

By trying to make the students understand through trial and error in teaching, your teaching skill will improve dramatically. By teaching a one-way method, (teacher to student), your teaching skill does not improve.

When giving directions, “Present Location” and “Goal” are required to know. If you only know the goal, it is difficult to provide directions. It is also very important to know the students’ present location, where they are.

Depending on the present location, it may change whether you go on foot, or use trains, or use a car to get to the goal.

For teaching, it is not enough if you only think “what you want to teach”, but also it is essential to know “what condition the students are in”.

Thus, there is necessary guidance needed for teaching. That is, I can say in English “Teach how to teach”, “Coach how to coach”.

Recently, many companies have developed an interest in applying Principles of Ki that are taught for Shinshin Toitsu Aikido instructors training, with the idea to improve the communication skills and teaching skills of the company personnel.

Communication skill that is used for “Teaching” is important not only for Shinshin Toitsu Aikido but also for every kind of activity.

Development of Children

A Short Instruction:

The purpose of this article is to apply the Ki principle (mind moves the body) which is the fundamental of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido to our daily life.

It is not enough just to read, but it is important to positively practice the subject given each month. Learning through practice will be your lifelong asset.

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Development of Children

I play the role of the president of Ki Society. One of the main goals of Ki Society is to contribute to the society by using Shinshin Toitsu Aikido. In addition, we concentrate on resource development. Among our various activities, an especially important activity is the “Development of Children”.

Recently in Japan, it was reported in the newspaper and television news that there has been a decrease in the ability to exercise in children. It was noted that this is because of not only the lack of physical activity, but also bad posture.

In general, many people think that the good posture is a posture that is tense, the spine being forced upright and the chest tightened. In fact this is not a correct posture. If you tense your body, you will quickly become tired, making this posture difficult to sustain. On the other hand, one may become utterly absent-minded with the spine collapsed and curved unnaturally. One may establish a pattern of repeating both the tense posture and collapsed posture.

Essentially, a good posture is actually a “Natural Posture”. In Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, it is called “Toitsu-tai (a posture with mind and body coordinated)”. The posture that satisfies the below three conditions is “Natural Posture”.
1) The most comfortable posture
2) The most sustainable posture
3) The most stable posture

For example, if you make your posture limp and collapsed, for the moment you feel comfortable. However, soon you will feel discomfort and be unable to maintain this physical attitude for long. In other words, this cannot be said to be a “Natural Posture”.

Natural Posture has natural stability. In Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, we use “Ki Test” to make sure the stability of the posture:

In various poses such as the standing posture, the sitting posture while in a chair, the sitting posture in Seiza and lying down posture, you can check the stability of the posture. Also you can check the stability during a motion, such as walking. Through these training practices, you will be able to master the “Natural Posture”.

Let me go back to the original point.
A bad posture means an unnatural posture and an unnatural posture means an unstable posture. To improve the ability to exercise, it is important to check and maintain the basic posture.

Some time ago, I was teaching a child who was reluctant to attend the physical education class in school, because he was unable to walk across a balance beam. The child’s posture was unnatural with the weight on the heels. He was even wobbly when standing. However, very soon after I taught the basic posture and trained him to maintain stability, he was able to walk across on the beam.

Now, it seems that he has become in favor of all sorts of physical exercises. As for the child’s inability to walk across the beam, the cause was not a lack of ability to exercise, but his posture was simply not good. There are many children who are in this same condition.

Bad posture also affects a child’s physical growth. Recently it has also been learned that bad posture affects a child's brain development.
Stiff neck and back pain are also very common among elementary school children.  This caused by bad posture as well.

This basic posture is important not only in Aikido, but also in other sports and in everyday life. Therefore, one of the priorities of Ki Society is to spread awareness and practice of good posture to elementary schools and junior high schools.

In reponse to requests from schools, instructors are sent to schools to teach teachers, parents and children on a voluntary basis.
Many people have commented that they have been able to learn the basic posture and improve their ability to exercise.  Also, they have stated that they improved in concentration and motivation thereby making a better impression.

For school officials that may be interested in this, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Also from my book “Kokoro wo Shizumeru (Calm your mind)”, more can be read about the basic posture.

I have lately been teaching the players and coaches of a major league baseball team, LA Dodgers.  The first thing I teach them is the basic posture.  As a result, many players have improved their performance by learning this basic posture.

Whatever you do, correct posture is essential.

2011 USA National Seminar in Las Vegas

I taught for USA National Seminar held in Las Vegas from 4^th August 2011 (Thursday) to 7^th August 2011 (Sunday). The USA National Seminar is held once every year in the USA. Many instructors from each branch organization in the USA gather and I teach for all classes in English. The previous seminar in Las Vegas was held six years ago. The participated members this time are not only from USA but also from South America, Europe and Japan and even though USA suffers from long lasting recession, thankfully 160 members participated.

Based on Ki Principles, I taught Katatedori, Yokomenuchi, Ushirotekubidori, Kokyudosa etc to each participant by the hand. Also I taught all the way through the seminar, the correct way of “Ki Testing” that is the most important for Shinshin Toitsu Aikido training and teaching.

The seminar has finished successfully. The instructor who has trained for 50 years was given the award. Also a large amount of donations were collected from many instructors and members for the use of the earthquake disaster reconstruction in Japan. Thank you very much for all of your kind thoughts.

At last, I would like to express sincere appreciation for the members of Northern California Ki Society who took the role of host for the seminar. Thank you.

Farewell Reception for Koichi Tohei Sensei

As officially announced on the Ki Society Website, Koichi Tohei Sensei passed away peacefully on the 19th of May 2011 (Thursday) at 9:14 am. He was 91 years old. We sincerely appreciate those who kindly assisted and supported Koichi Tohei Sensei when he was alive.

The private funeral was held with close family and relatives. The public Farewell Reception hosted by Shinshin Toitsu Aikido Kai (Ki Society H.Q.) will be held on 17^th July 2011 (Sunday) at the Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple in Tokyo.

For the details of the Farewell Reception, please refer to the following information and Frequent Answers and Questions.

Information

3^rd June 2011

To Whom It May Concern

Subject : The Farewell Reception for Koichi Tohei Sensei

Details of the Farewell Reception is as follows:

Date and Time: 17th of July 2011 (Sunday), Afternoon: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.

Location: Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple

              3-15-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku,

              Tokyo, Japan

              TEL: 03-3541-1131

President of Funeral Committee: Shinichi Tohei Sensei, President of Ki Society

                                        

Public traffic congestion is expected on the day, therefore, please refrain from visiting by cars.

If you would like to pay floral tribute, please kindly apply to the following:

              Koekisya Co.,Ltd. Setagaya Office

                            TEL: 03-5491-3070

                            FAX: 03-5491-7521

Sincerely,

Ki Society H.Q.

3515 O-aza Akabane

Ichikai-machi, Haga-gun

Tochigi, 321-3426

JAPAN

TEL: 0285-68-4000
FAX: 0285-68-4001

Frequent Answers and Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Is it possible for non-members of Ki Society to attend?

A1. Yes. Everyone can attend.

Q2. What is the preferable dress?

A2. Probably many people wear semi-formal dress (dressed in black).

Q3. With what religion will the Farewell Reception be held?

A3. It is held in non-religious style.

Q4. Do you accept floral tribute?

A4. Yes. Please call Koekisya Co.,Ltd. Setagaya Office (TEL: 03-5491-3070)

Q5. Is there car park?

A5. Yes, however, we prefer you to come by public transport facility due to expected traffic congestion.

Q6. How many seats are there?

A6. There are approximately 1,000 seats inside facility. If there are more of visitors, they may not be able to go inside and probably need to wait for paying floral tribute.