| For years I have practiced the principles of Shin Shin | | | | young, strong, quick and light on his feet, incredibly fit |
| Toitsu Aikido and applied them to everyday life. As | | | | and articulate. His famous saying, Float like a butterfly; |
| Tohei Sensei said, the way of harmony is through | | | | sting like a bee, summed up how he used his centre to |
| keeping one point, your centre and therefore the | | | | direct his power to his devastating straight left. |
| centre of the universe. | | | | Benefit one. You can concentrate power by keeping |
| The centre of the universe? | | | | centre. |
| By letting the Ki of Aikido pass through our center we | | | | Watch a racing motorcyclist closely and see how he |
| can tap in to the Ki of the universe and use its power | | | | shifts his weight to take advantage of the least bit of |
| to direct our physical actions. With the addition of Zen | | | | room on the track and cut that extra hundredth of a |
| thinking you can use Ki to control your perception of | | | | second. His balance and therefore his centre controls |
| time and make a second last as long as you need it. | | | | the cycle getting the best out of the optimum engine |
| Impossible? | | | | speed, gear selection and braking to sling-shot around |
| Not really if you sit in the seiza position, that is with | | | | the bends. |
| your legs folded beneath you Japanese style, and with | | | | Benefit two. You can ride a motorcycle extremely |
| your hands together locked in the church and steeple | | | | fast. |
| manner with your thumbs crossed and your index | | | | And now back to Ki Aikido. |
| fingers gently touching at eye level. Breathe deeply | | | | As Instructors we translated this centering (keeping |
| and steadily taking at least a minute to complete each | | | | one point ) into our own study of self defense and |
| breath first breathing in through the nose and then | | | | effective combat techniques. As a result we taught |
| exhaling through the mouth with a pause at the | | | | our students how to remain calm in a rough situation. |
| change over. | | | | First recourse. Defuse the situation with reason. |
| You can use a Zen mantra if you wish. Silence is | | | | Second recourse. To walk away. |
| better, the mantra is a distraction because you need to | | | | Third recourse. If walking away is not possible then by |
| empty your mind of all thoughts. | | | | keeping centered use the minimum amount of force to |
| How can I do that? | | | | resolve the situation. In the third situation above all |
| Simply by concentrating on breathing and becoming | | | | make sure that the antagonist(s) do not get up again |
| aware of the circular contact between your fingertips. | | | | and then walk away. |
| How does this aid keeping centre and what is keeping | | | | Benefit Three. You can beat the daylights out of |
| centre anyway? | | | | somebody without them realizing how the heck you |
| Your centre is a small place about fifty millimeters | | | | did it. |
| below your belly button. This is the point in all martial | | | | Of course it is best not to pick a fight in the first place, |
| arts movements around which your body pivots. It is | | | | after all Aikido is a gentle art, but that depends on your |
| also the channel for Ki (or the Chinese Chi) that makes | | | | lifestyle and beliefs. |
| the proper practice of Aikido, Tai Chi and Kung Fu so | | | | Finally. How does this help your daily life? |
| powerful. It is the point from where the sword takes its | | | | By applying the principles of Ki and centering in your |
| power, or the Karate open hand gets its force. | | | | everyday life and not just for the Dojo you will find |
| Ki is the means of keeping centered. | | | | tasks become easier, that daily grind becomes a |
| Ki meditation; proper breathing is the way of learning | | | | pleasure and you are happier. In addition by |
| how to use that power. | | | | approaching your life centered with Zen of taking each |
| Okay, so what is the benefit of keeping centered? | | | | moment as it comes that second you want to stretch |
| When Mohammad Ali won his big fights he was | | | | becomes a regular and enjoyable experience. |