Shinichi Tohei's Ki Weblog

Teaching for Los Angeles Dodgers

As I was formally requested by LA Dodgers, I went to teach the players of LA Dodgers in the Dodger Stadium from 11^th January 2010 (Monday) to 20^th January 2010 (Wednesday).

Dodger Stadium is the baseball stadium where the final game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic was held. It is historical and very beautiful stadium.

In the original plan, Mr. Tatsuro Hirooka, a baseball commentator, was supposed to come with me, however, due to certain reasons, his attendance to the camp was cancelled so I went to teach without him.

Fortunately, the teaching this time has finished with a great success and I have received highest appreciation from the players and coaches.

It seems that the mind and body unification, which is the fundamental principle of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, will take root in LA Dodgers from now on.

I sincerely appreciate Mr. Tatsuro Hirooka and those concerned with LA Dodgers, for having given such a great opportunity for me.

Due to the agreement with LA Dodgers, I am afraid to inform you that the list of people who participated in my teaching, and the details of the teaching are strictly forbidden to be disclosed.

Thank you very much for your kind understanding.

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.