Shinichi Tohei's Ki Weblog

Teaching in Hawaii

This year the Keio University Ki-Aikido Club celebrated its 50th anniversary. I am the instructor for the Keio University Ki-Aikido Club and therefore, as a part of this anniversary celebration, I taught a three day seminar from September 1 to September 3 in Maui, Hawaii.

The seminar was attended by forty five members of the Keio University Ki-Aikido Club and their coaches, as well as over fifty members of the Hawaii Ki Federation, our host for this seminar. The seminar took place near the Shunshinkan Dojo (head dojo of Hawaii Ki Federation), and a large gathering for Sunday’s Sokushin no gyo took place in the Shunshinkan dojo itself.

There has always been a strong bond between Keio University Ki-Aikido Club and Hawaii. When Koichi Tohei Sensei taught in Hawaii many years ago, some of club members often went to Hawaii with Tohei Sensei and practiced Ki-Aikido with Hawaiian members. Therefore the Hawaii Ki Federation was our host, and they took care of us very well. I really appreciate the hospitality of all members of Hawaii Ki Federation.

The main theme of this seminar was “Communication with Ki”. If you ignore the mind of others and disturb them, they will resist automatically. In this way it is impossible to lead others. However, if you respect the mind of others and help them, they will follow naturally. In this way you will be able to lead others.

We practiced this state of mind through Kokyu-dosa, Kokyu-nage, Nikyo, Kote-oroshi and many other techniques. But it is useless if you can do this only during practice. In order to learn how to apply this state of mind in our daily life, I taught how to lead others.

On the last day of the seminar, the Keio Ki-Aikido club members did a one hour public demonstration (Enbukai). Hawaii Ki Federation members and local people watched this. The local newspaper company covered the performance and it made the front page. (article is here)

Shinichi Suzuki sensei is a Maui resident, and major senior advisor to Hawaii Ki Federation. 54 years ago, he became Koichi Tohei sensei’s student when Tohei sensei went to Hawaii to teach Ki-Aikido for the first time. Suzuki sensei is now 90 years old but he is still teaching and brings up students.

Keio members met Suzuki sensei and they were impressed with Suzuki sensei’s personal attributes. They learned a lot from Suzuki sensei.

Many people worked hard to help us present this seminar. I really appreciate their help from the heart.

Ki-Aikido: Ceremony Praying for Success in Our Practice (“Shugyo Tassei Kiganshiki” - in Japanese)

A Happy New Year!

Thanks to all of you, Koichi Tohei Sensei is doing very well. He teaches instructors of H.Q. everyday. I will do my best to learn Koichi Tohei Sensei’s principles and teach them correctly to all students.

We begin each year with a ceremony praying for success in our practice (“Shugyo Tassei Kiganshiki” - in Japanese). This sincere and solemn occasion takes place on January 3rd each year. Before this ceremony, we do “Senshin no gyo” where water is poured over oneself in the early morning in order to purge one's heart and purify oneself.

The idea of pouring icy water over onself at the coldest moment in the early morning in the winter may seem a very tough practice. However, if you calm your mind in the lower abdomen, and and maintain this state, you can enjoy this practice very much. In this way, you definitely can experience how to use your mind.

Usually, at this time of year, the air temperature is about -8 degrees C and water temperature -4 degrees C. However, this year’s air temperature was 2 degrees C and water temperature was 10 degrees C. It was like a paradise! It must have been quite an experience for those participants who did this practice for the first time.

During the follow-up ceremony of praying for success in practice (“Shugyo Tassei Kiganshiki” in Japanese), first, I performed Ki-Barai. Then, I prayed for the success of Ki-Aikido practice and safe practice for all students all over the world. And I gave a New Year speech in which I talked about the action policy of Ki-Aikido this year.

After this, the Instructor of H.Q. Yutaka Otsuka (Ki-Aikido 9th dan) and Taketoshi Kataoka (Ki-Aikido 8th dan) performed Ki-Aikido in dedication to the Universe.


The last part of the ceremony was the announcement of Dan promotions. I gave certificates to each student who was promoted. We present only certificates of high rank at this ceremony.

In Ki no Kenkyukai, we promote Ki for health and Ki for education. However, the basis of those is Ki-Aikido. I would like to place more emphasis on Ki-Aikido more this year. I will do more seminars in Japan and overseas than usual.

I will have “Ki Forum 2007” seminar on February 12, 2007. The main theme is “Ki-Aikido (Shin-shin Toitsu Aikido)”.

Let’s practice together this year.

World Camp - 2006

World Camp 2006 was held at Ki no sato (Ki Society H.Q.) from October 25th (Wednesday) to 29th (Sunday). It was a five day seminar. I, Otsuka sensei, Kataoka sensei, and Sawai sensei, who are instructors of Headquarters, taught the seminar.

About 60 students attended; mainly instructors. Those attending were from the US, Russia, Australia and Europe. In addition to World Camp, we had a Japanese Instructors’ seminar on the weekend, adding 70 more to World Camp, making a total of 130 people practicing together in total.

Koichi Tohei Sensei came to the very first class of the World Camp. He took the opportunity to shake hands with each participant.

The main practice place was the Tenshinkan Dojo. There are 520 tatami mats in this dojo. Because the dojo was so filled with participants, we felt we had no room to swing a cat when we practiced Ki-Aikido!

Because all of the overseas members sacrifice their precious time, pay travel fees, seminar and accommodation fees, they tried to take in every word and not miss a thing. I was very touched by their earnest attitude.

Ki-Aikido school institute students also attended the world camp. They were also impressed by the overseas students’ earnest attitude.

We taught Ki principles (Mind moves body), posture with oneness of mind and body (posture with natural stability), Ki-Aikido techniques, Kengi, Jogi, Ki breathing, Kiatsu therapy and Oneness Rhythm Exercise.

After the seminar, participants returned home with full smiles. When we saw this, all the instructors of H.Q., staff and I had a very happy feeling.

I would like to share with you the contents of the seminar, however, the volume is so large that I am sorry I cannot include it all on my weblog. We will hold World camp once a year. If you are interested in World camp, please join us next year!

About All Japan Ki-Aikido Taigi competition

The All Japan Ki-Aikido Taigi Competition was held at Ki no Kenkyukai Headquarters last month.

The purpose of this competition is not to compete with each other relative to technique. The purpose of this competition is demonstrate your oneness of mind and body which you have learned in your dojo and your daily life.

The judges watch participants’ state of mind and body oneness in every movement, not only each technique, but even when they are bowing, walking, and also their ma-ai (proper distance).

Both participants and observers of the competition frequently ask me “What is the point when watching an Ki-Aikido performance?”

Therefore, I will tell you how best to watch this. There are three points to watch for; “Balance”, “Rhythm” and “Largeness”.

What is “Balance”?

Balance means the posture with oneness of mind and body. If you try to throw your partner forcefully, you will be tense and off-balance. Your body wavers up and down, and right and left in your movement. However, if you calm your mind in one point in the lower abdomen and move from one point, your posture becomes stable without wavering no matter how strongly or quickly you move.

If you see Ki-Aikido techniques performed with oneness of mind and body, they are very beautiful. That’s when Ki-Aikido technique truly works. By watching only posture, you will understand the participant’s depth of understanding about oneness of mind and body.

What is “Rhythm”?

Rhythm means “natural rhythm” as the word suggests. If you try to throw your partner forcefully, your rhythm becomes too busy. On the other hand, if you lose power, your rhythm becomes too slow and with no Ki. Movement with oneness of mind and body always has natural rhythm. No matter how strongly or quickly you move, the rhythm will never be disturbed.

That’s when Ki-Aikido technique truly works.

By watching only the rhythm of the participants, you will understand their depth of understanding about oneness of mind and body.

What is “Largeness”?

Largeness means “largeness or fullness of the extension of Ki”, as the word implies.

When a master acts on the stage, the master looks very big. In this same way, when participants extend Ki, their performance looks very large. However, if your mind is clinging to the idea of trying to perform well, then you will pull your Ki and your performance will look small.
When your movement looks relaxed and large, your techniques work. By watching only the largeness of the participants’ movement, you will understand the depth of understanding of oneness of mind and body.

If you watch the taigi competition based on these three points, you will understand the depth of understanding of oneness of mind and body well, even if you are beginner.
Performance of the participants will be judged on a scale of one to ten. Then, the level of quality will be decided. You will learn a lot if you draw a comparison between your own sense of success, and the level at which the judges placed you.

The competition will be held next summer also. If you have time, please visit the competition next year.

SELF CONTROL

If you have been studying Ki-Aikido, or if you might like to begin, it may be useful for us to check the purpose and basic concept of this practice. Koichi Tohei sensei tells us that the most important aspect of this practice is to control our mind and body.

Control of our mind and body is extremely important not only in Ki-Aikido but also in human relationships in our daily life. When we have problems, we may tend to try to find the cause outside of ourselves, instead of within, if we do not use careful consideration. We may have a habit of thinking “I’m not wrong but others are”.

So we try to change others instead of ourselves. The result may be a backlash or conflict, and in addition we will have failed to lead others.

First you must change yourself, if you really want to lead others. Sometimes I find myself that I try to change others. When I found this, I mend my behavior by myself.

As this relates to techniques of Ki-Aikido, before thinking of trying to throw our partner, we first must check whether our mind and body are stable. Stability is condition of oneness of mind and body. Stability is achieved through self control. This means to maintain the condition of oneness of mind and body.

In the beginning, we must learn to control our own mind. The inherent stability of our mind comes from our perception of the condition of the world around us. For instance, in Ki-Aikido, when our partner holds our arms, we may think “I am being held by my partner” or “I made my partner hold me.”

If you have a positive, or plus, mind, your body necessarily becomes plus in concert with it. If you want to do techniques of Ki-Aikido correctly, you need this positive mind that we call “Ki is extending.” Once you get this “Ki is extending” mind, while practicing Ki-Aikido, it will become the foundation of all things in your daily life.

We tend to have selfish minds that think only of our own selves. In Ki-Aikido techniques, that translates as, “I want to throw my partner” or “I want my partner to do as I wish.” Of course, in practicing Ki-Aikido, there is always a possibility that we will exhibit selfish mind. Unfortunately, in that state of mind, no one can do correct techniques.

If we look at the “Five Principles of Ki-aikido”, as presented by Koichi Tohei sensei, and in so doing take note of and amend our own mistakes, we will be able to lead our partners.

The repetition of the process of noticing and amending mistakes is what we call “Keiko” or “practice”.

Five principles of Ki-Aikido:
1. Ki is extending
2. Know your opponent’s mind
3. Respect your opponent’s Ki
4. Put yourself in your opponent’s place
5. Lead with confidence.

　Let’s practice together based on the Five principles of Ki-Aikido.

US National Chief Instructors’ Conference in Oregon(2) (translated from Japanese version dated July 3, 2006)

I returned from US National Chief Instructors’ Conference in Oregon yesterday. I did not have jet lag, and it was a very comfortable trip.

This year’s US National Chief Instructors’ Conference included four days of seminar. The first day was a Ki-Aikido seminar for instructors only and the second and third days were a Ki-Aikido seminar for all members. I taught Ki principles (mind moves body) through Ki-Aikido. The last day was Ki Breathing and Kiatsu class for members.

The theme of the instructors’ class on first day was self control. To lead others, first, your mind and body should be stable. Therefore, we checked posture with oneness of mind and body. Then, we practiced it through Kokyu-nage, Nikyo, Sankyo, Kote-oroshi, Shiho-nage, Kokyu-dosa, and many other techniques.

On the second day, in addition to instructors, regular members joined the seminar. Therefore, we checked posture with oneness of mind and body as way of self control again. The theme of the second day’s class was correct rhythm. We practiced correct rhythm through various Ki-Aikido techniques like we did on the first day.

The last class was a Question and Answer session. I answered questions from the participants.

On the morning of the third day, I taught how to use Ki during stretching. After that, I conducted Ki tests. In the afternoon, we practiced Zagi, Ushiro-tori, Ushiro-tekubi-tori , Ushiro-tekubidori kubishime, hagaijime, etc. based on correct rhythm. I wanted to experience the Ki of each of the participants. Therefore, I taught each of the participants directly.

From the first day to the third day, I taught how to count with the voice correctly. To count with the voice with Ki, it is important to relax completely and exhale the breath at once. In most cases, overseas members also count in Japanese. Some members were not able to do it correctly at first, however, after practicing many times, most of members were able to count well.

The last day’s class was Ki Breathing and Kiatsu class. Ki breathing and Kiatsu are both essential aspects of Ki-Aikido. First, we checked our posture, which is oneness with the Universe. Many people asked me, “What is calm breathing?” Therefore, I let each participant hold my chest and feel calm breathing.

I taught how to send Ki in Kiatsu class. I taught it by touching each participant directly. After that, I taught self-Kiatsu of the head and neck. And at the end, the participants did Kiatsu with each other. They realized that Kiatsu effects so much in such a short time. It seems the participants got confident, and felt: “I can do it!”

There is an important point to remember when you do Kiatsu. That is, “Kiatsu is not medical practice”. Especially, you must not ask to be paid to do Kiatsu in the U.S.

There is no problem with doing Kiatu on yourself or your family. If you want to do Kiatsu to others, you need to learn at the Ki no Kenkyukai “Kiatsu school” and the persons who receive Kiatsu need to be our members. There is also and official Kiatsu school in Portland, Oregon.

The name of “Kiatsu” is registered in the US and many other countries in the world. Therefore, if you want to use the word “Kiatsu”, you need to respect this when using it.
This was good opportunity, therefore I re-affirmed the important reminder for everyone to practice Kiatsu in the US.

If I write a detailed account of the four day seminar here, it will be several hundred pages. Therefore, I would like to share my experience directly when we meet at seminar or World Camp in Ki no Sato.

Next year’s US National Chief Instructors’ Conference will be held at Maryland, USA. I am looking forward to visit there!

US National Chief Instructors’ Conference

I have just finished teaching at the US National Chief Instructors’ Conference and Seminar, hosted this year by the Northwest Ki Federation. I am writing this article at my hotel in Portland, Oregon, USA.

This US National Chief Instructors’ Seminar is held once a year. This is a big event which many students, mainly instructors, getting together. This seminar is held in different places each year. I began teaching this annual seminar four years ago. So far, I have taught in Seattle, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Oregon. Next year’s national conference will be held in Maryland, USA.

Portland is usually very nice weather. Maximum temperature is about 25 degrees C, minimum temperature is about 15 degrees C. However, yesterday and today, it was 37 degrees C! This is the highest temperature of the century! Those two days were hotter even than the usual summer weather in Japan.

I taught Ki principles, Ki-Aikido, Ki breathing and Kiatsu-ho in the seminar, with many participants. I continue to realize many important things at this National seminar every year.

I will share my realizations later in this weblog.

In the picture below, I am shown throwing students in Oregon. Along with my realization, my body seems to continue to grow a lot! I wore Medium size T shirt last year, but now I can wear only size Large.

By the way, Portland is famed for it’s roses. Before the seminar, I visited the Portland rose garden. The roses are really beautiful now. It was spectacular. There was also a very beautiful Japanese garden near the rose garden.

Koichi Tohei sensei also visited Portland, Oregon many times. He did Ki-Aikido performance in front of this Japanese garden in the past.

This is my third visit to Oregon.

My first visit was when I was 17 years old. I enjoyed a homestay in Oregon. My second visit was when I was 23 years old. At that time, I accompanied Koichi Tohei sensei and practiced there with him. My third visit is this time. I am now 32 years old. This time, I conducted the seminar. Therefore, I was deeply committed to the Oregon group this year.

Thank you very much to the Oregon Ki Society members as my host. Also, thank you very much to the many participants who came from all over the US, Europe and South America.

Teaching at World Camp 2005

World Camp seminar was held from October 19th Wednesday to October 23rd Saturday. It was a five days seminar. On October 22nd Saturday and 23rd Sunday, Japanese Instructors' seminar was also held.

There were about 140 people attend the seminar from USA, Europe, Russia, Australia and of course Japan. I taught through out the seminar.

The first day of seminar, Koichi Tohei sensei came to the class and shook hands with each participants and took group photo together. Also, Tohei sensei awarded a student who has been studying Ki-Aikido 50 years in Hawaii. Tohei sensei gave him a ceramic plate (Mashiko-yaki plate with Tohei sensei's calligraphy) as a relic of 50 years of study.

The theme of World Camp 2005 was "The Universal mind". Everybody has a selfish mind such as we want to move people and things as we think. However, if we act with selfish mind, others have bad feeling and there will be collision in relationship. It is as same as Ki-Aikido techniques. We practiced to control own mind and using mind not let others move but let’s move together through Ki-Aikido.

There is 520 Tatami mats at Tenshinkan dojo in Ki no Sato. All participants used whole dojo and practiced Ki principles and Ki-Aikido.

It is important to experience Ki-Aikido techniques directly rather than just listen the explanation. Therefore, I taught each participants directly and let have experience of correct technique and wrong technique. I realized many things from the seminar. Seminar was very positive atmospherics and I could feel oneness.

Not only Ki-Aikido, but Ki breathing, Oneness rhythm exercise, Kiatsu therapy were also taught. Also, tea ceremony was held by Ki-Aikido school students and participants enjoyed tea with Ki.

By the way, it is natural to teach class in English at the world camp seminar. "Ki is extending" is wonderful. I could listen English well which I cannot listen usually. However, this is not only listen English but feel others' Ki. I send Ki to others well, therefore, I can understand what others want to say. I feel that it is important to send Ki to others again.

This is just an aside, but when I talked with my wife after seminar, I could not listen her Japanese well! I dropped my guard and I did not send Ki to her. This is not good. I will practice more.

Teaching at Tochigi Ki Seminar (August, 2005)

I taught at the Tochigi Ki Seminar today. This is also open for Ki development institute students. So, students attended the seminar. Thank you very much for attending this seminar in such hot weather.

The theme of the morning class was “Koichi Tohei sensei’s education”. Koichi Tohei sensei is my teacher and also my father. I talked about Koichi Tohei sensei’s education which I have received and experienced.

It is most important to realize others change through learning. Because we understand things, we can act correctly. Also, we can prevent problems in advance. I taught how to understand things through experiencing them.

The theme of the afternoon class was “weight is underside”. I taught “Weight is underside”, one of the four major principles to unify mind and body, which tends to be misunderstood. I taught “weight is underside” through nursing others, holding a bowl correctly and Ki breathing.

Many people misunderstand, but “weight” and “heaviness” are different. Also, “weight is underside” and “feel heavy” are different. Those who attended Tochigi Ki seminar understood these differences clearly.

By the way, I organized some photos the other day. I found the picture below. Dr. David Shaner who is Chief instructor of Eastern Ki Federation gave this picture to me.

 

Koichi Tohei sensei was about 58 years old and I am about 5 years old in this picture. I have never shown this kind of picture to everyone. This is the first time I have shown this to everyone.

I will teach at the Tochigi Ki seminar on September 11th, (Sunday). The next theme is “Ki and nursing”. I will teach about Ki breathing. I am looking forward to seeing you.

Teaching Ki seminar in Tochigi (July 2005)

I conducted a Ki seminar in Tochigi today. This month's theme was "Ki and business". My teaching especially focused on communication in the business.

I introduced a company that applied Ki principles to their office work. I taught the Ki principles to participants of the Ki seminar. The participants experienced the Ki principles. I taught how to apply Ki in their daily lives.

Morning class

1. Mind moves body.
Mind and body are originally one. It is important to use your mind positively and use both mind and body. The state of oneness of mind and body is called "Shin-shin ichinyo" in Japanese. If we extend Ki to each other, our Ki exchanges naturally.

2. Exchange of Ki
I introduced a company. The workers greet coworkers with Ki in the office. By greeting with Ki, they avoid mistakes in the middle of work.

The most important practice to exchange Ki is to greet each other with Ki. This "greeting" means you greet people positively. If someone greets you and you greet them in return, your greeting is not greeting but a reply in this case. By sending Ki through greetings, you will know other's state of mind and body.

3. Change yourself first before expecting others to change
I introduced a manager who is applying Ki principles at his office. He does not wait to have reports from workers but goes to the scene and listens directly to the worker. In this way, the manager was able to improve the communication between himselfe and the workers.

4. Show through by actions, not throughe words.
A manager wanted to change unpunctual workers. He did not give workers words of warning about it, but he came to office first and changed the unpunctual workers.

It is impossible to teach others the right way by using words. If you actually do the correct thing, then others will understand the correct thing correctly. Especially, when the problem is caused by your own behavior in the past it will not be solved by words. Mind and body are one. Use of your mind means you use body. This means that "using mind" means do not think, but act.

5. To see the personﾕs present behavior.
If you cling to the others' past impression, you will not be able to see others' present state. It is important to see the others' action now not cling to what the others said in the past.

6. Do not imagine anothers' place but put yourself in others place.
I introduced an example of communication between workers. When they took the same actions as others, rather than just imagineing them, the workers understood each other more.

"Imagine another's place" means to see the others place from own point of view. "Put yourself in another's placeﾓ means to act as if you are in the others place. It is important to understand the differences.

7. sharing concept of values
There is a company in which workers define the technical words to share the concept of values and prevent from misunderstandings between boss and workers and between departments.

By sharing the concept of values, each of the workers are be able to use their minds clearly. Take the words "report" or "service", sometimes those words' definition is different for each person. If we use the same word as different meaning, there will be misunderstanding. It is important to check the definition and share the concept of values.

8. Ki study is to practice and validate
Ki is invisible. Therefore, it is essential to practice and validate. Sometimes, knowledge is easy to forget. However, your realization through your own experiences cannot be taken and these are your belongings.

In the afternoon

To solve stiff shoulders and backache, I taught correct posture. In addition, through neck movement of oneness rhythm exercise, we checked natural position of the neck and head.

I teach Ki principles at Tochigi Ki seminar every month with a different theme. This is a workshop. The participants are able to experience Ki and deepen their realization of Ki.

Next, we have Ki seminar in Tochigi on August 21 (Sunday). The theme is "Ki and calligraphy, Ki and tea ceremony".

I will teach you how to apply Ki in calligraphy and tea ceremony. I will invite calligraphy teacher who is Mr. Tadao Ishikawa. He teaches Ki and calligraphy at Ki-Aikido school.

I am looking forward to seeing you next month. I will be able to accept a limited number of participants this time. Therefore, I recommend you to apply as soon as possible.

US National seminar in Las Vegas2

The theme of the US National seminar was "Universal mind".

We recognize the universe with a self centered viewpoint. This is important to live in this world, however, if we see things only from this way, there will be a problem. This applies not only to Ki-aikido but also human relationships.

For example, when we do Ki-Aikido, everyone has a mind such as "I want to throw my partner." "I want to move others as I like." "I want to impact others." If you have those self centered thoughts, you will not be able to lead your partner when you do Ki-aikido technique.

Based on the 5 principles of Aikido with mind and body unification, if you move with your partner, you will be able to lead your partner. The Universal mind means that you become one with the universe and move together with your partner. If you have a self centered mind and try to move others, this is not a Universal mind.

It is our fundamental to master Universal mind not only for Ki-Aikido but for education and human relationships.

5 principles of Aikido with mind and body unification
1. Ki is extending
2. Know your opponentﾕs Ki
3. Respect your opponentﾕs place
4. Put yourself in your opponentﾕs place
5. Perform with confidence

I taught the Universal mind through Ki-Aikido technique and Ki breathing in this five days seminar. It is important to understand Ki-Aikido technique through experience, therefore, I taught each participants directly. Not only that, I taught the participants to teach others correctly.

Participants said that their viewpoint hads been changed. It seems that each of their understandings were connected and they learned learned tremendously. I will introduce participant's reports on this weblog soon.

Many of the participants are planning to attend World Camp this October in Ki no Sato. This is the only chance to study with overseas students in Japan. Therefore, we hope many of you will attend the World Camp.

The 2006 US National seminar will be held at Oregon next year and 2007 US National seminar will be held at Maryland. Japanese students are able to attend the seminar.

I might have learned the most. My English skills grew tremendously. I will take English test in September. I would like to take the test now :)

I really appreciate your giving me such a wonderful opportunity.

National seminar in Las Vegas

I taught at the US National seminar for five days in Las Vegas. The seminar was held from Wednesday June 22nd to Sunday 26th . About 180 students (mainly instructors) attended from all over the US. Besides the US, there were participants who came from Canada, UK, Brazil and Japan.

The US national seminar had been managed by one of the Ki societies in the US before. However, this yearﾕs seminar was held under the auspices of all US Ki Societies for the first time. Therefore, Las Vegas was chosen because this is the most convenient place to travel to, a comfortable stay and reasonably pricede.

The seminar place was Alexis Park Resort which is for resort stay. Because there is no casino in the hotel. This is rare in Las Vegas. The seminar room was in the banquet room with 200 tatami mats. I felt that we stayed in a camp for training.

On June 22, we had as Chief instructors' seminar in the morning, and instructorsﾕ seminar in the afternoon. From Thursday June 23rd to Sunday 26th there was open seminars for all participants. We had Ki testing in the morning on Saturday June 25th and Sunday 26th we had Ki class. We had a banquet in the evening on June 25.

The seminar was a great success. Just before end of the seminar, some participants cried because they did not want the seminar to end. I was very moved . Through the effort made by staff of the event and instructors' , all of the participantsﾕ minds became one. I realized many things. Of course, I taught Ki principles in English, so my English improved a lot. Above all, I was so happy to practice hand in hand with every participants.

Thank you very much for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.

I will tell you more stories about Las Vegas in this weblog.

Teaching Ki Seminar in Tochigi

I conducted a Ki seminar in Tochigi on Sunday, June 12, 2005. This seminar was also open for Ki Development institute students.

There was one participant who came from California, USA. I was very impressed with his way of learning Ki principles with a serious mind.

This month's theme was "Ki and how to study". When we learn or master something, there is a way to study correctly. I taught "how to study" to the participants with experience of Ki based on Koichi Tohei senseiﾕs teaching which is "Mind moves body."

When we start to learn something, we learn the shape first. Of course, this is an important process, however, "Mind moves body", therefore, if you just copy the shape only, you cannot perform as same as your teacher. When you copy your teacher's mind, you can perform same thing as your teacher does.

Moreover, the state of your mind comes from the principle of the Universe. If you learn how your teacher thinks and looks at the universe, you can learn same thing that your teacher does. It is important to change tracks, not only shape but also mind, not only state of the mind but also how to think about the Universe. By changing tracks and looking at and copying your teacher well, you will understand Ki principles more deeply.

During the second half of the seminar, we learned correct standing posture, one point in the lower abdomen and moving from one point based on the correct way to study. At the very end of the seminar, I taught Ki breathing. Participants had already studied to look not only shape at but also the state of the mind, they could understand deeply.

There are comments from the participants.
"I have been studying Ki principles, but I found that I was always only worrying about shapes. I realized that it is important to look the state of the mind. Also, it is important to have the correct way of thinking when I study. I am very excited to learn Ki principles from now on." By Ki development institute student

"I am learning psychology. I realized that to solve the mind problem, it is important not see only the result, but see the state of the mind and the how we perceive the Universe. I will use this in my study." By Ki seminar participants

It is important to master how to study correctly. It is best to learn it with real experiences. However, some of you might find it difficult to come to Tochigi because of the distance and time, I am going to make teaching materials about "Ki and how to study". If I have decided the detailed information, I will let you know on this weblog.

The theme of the next month is "Ki and business". When you do business, you will need to decide many things. To make a correct decision, I will tell you how to use Ki in the business. I am looking forward to seeing many of you next month!

Teaching at Oneness rhythm exercise seminar

The Oneness rhythm exercise three-day seminar was held at Ki no Sato from March 19th (Sat) to 21(Mon), 2005.

Over sixty students attended this seminar and it was a great success. The seminar was held in a relaxed atmosphere with smiling participants from start to finish. (I am sitting at the centre of the first row with white clothes in the picture below)

I taught Ki principles that are fundamental to the oneness rhythm exercise. And Yuuki Sawai sensei mainly taught oneness rhythm exercise.

It was not on the prior schedule, but there was a class that Yutaka Otsuka sensei taught on Kiatsu and Ki-aikido movement based on the oneness rhythm exercise.

Many of the participants understood that the oneness rhythm exercise is not an exercise that just moves their body, but is to realize their own mind.

The posture with Ki and without Ki
The movement with Ki and without Ki
The rhythm with Ki and without Ki
The human relationship with Ki and without Ki

While the participants experienced Ki through oneness rhythm exercise, they realized how to apply Ki principles in their daily lives.

On the last day of the seminar, we held a competition to check the fruits of the three days for themselves. Four of the participants won prizes.

The students of Nihon University and International Christian University attended this seminar to apply oneness rhythm exercise to Ki-aikido. I was deeply impressed by their attitude to study Ki seriously.

I really appreciate all of the participants of the seminar.
We will hold a one-day oneness rhythm exercise seminar on April 24th, Sunday in Tokyo. Why not join us?!

Ki seminar in Tochigi

I taught Ki principles at Ki seminar in Tochigi today.

Ki seminar is held once a month. You can learn how to use Ki in your daily life at Ki Seminar. Ki seminars are held all over the Japan, and I am a lecturer of Tochigi Ki seminar.

Ki Seminar is open for students of Ki Development Institute. Therefore, many students come to Ki seminar and study Ki principle together.

Tochigi Ki seminar has morning class and afternoon class. And theme of each classes are different.

The theme of the morning class was "Quality of the movements (movements with Ki)".

The participants experienced the difference between "movement with Ki" and "movement without Ki" in daily life movement. (For example, raise you hand, shaking hands, gentle back, walking and so on)

And we experienced Kiatsu. We put our own hands with Ki on the below of collarbone. We just put our hands with Ki, but we could feel very good feeling. Soon, the tough part become tender, and easy to breeze.

For Ki Development Institute students, they did not just study Ki principle from teacher but they themselves studied how to tell Ki principle to other people. I asked every Ki Development Institute student to explain what they had learned at the seminar. It seems that they learned if they change their view from just a students to a students who try to tell Ki another people, they could learn more deeply.

The theme of afternoon was "Quality of breathing (Breathing with Ki)".

First, we checked our posture if it is oneness with the Universe. After checked our posture, we practiced deep, calm and comfortable breeze. We realised that there is a big difference when we use Ki or not.

Then, I told how to distinguish calm breath and hard breath. If you know this, you can feel the change of your family and friends' mind and body without fail. I taught this new viewpoint to the participants.

In Tochigi Ki seminar, every 6 months (six times) is basic program. (You can join any month)

Ki seminar is just one day seminar, but you will be able to learn many and deeply. Let's study together. I am looking forward to seeing you at the Ki Seminar.