| In quantum physics, one of the foremost theories that | | | | and practical instruction. |
| promises to revolutionize how we see the world is the | | | | One school that may be successful in being able to |
| theory of strings. The main premise of this particular | | | | teach what the ch'i is and how to be able to use it for |
| theory is that strings are the most basic structure that | | | | one's own benefit is Aikido. At the heart of the |
| makes up everything we can and cannot see within | | | | spirituality and philosophy or Aikido is the ki, which is |
| the physical world. Strings of course is just a word to | | | | similar or perhaps, one and the same with what is |
| label this most profound substance that theoretical | | | | otherwise known as the ch'i or qi. |
| physicists say dictate everything we see, perceive and | | | | Aikido's ki is the heart of the principle of this particular |
| have in and around us in this physical world. | | | | martial art. While technically, martial arts are means for |
| Although no direct correlation has ever been claimed | | | | combat and war, Aikido is often known as the art of |
| between string theory and that of the principles of ch'i | | | | peace because it espouses a peaceful means |
| prevalent in the East, they share the same premise in | | | | towards aggression. Aikido ki, like in other concepts of |
| the most basic sense that it is said that there is a | | | | ch'i teaches that there is a fundamental energy that |
| basic energy substance that underlie everything. In | | | | can be harnessed. Aikido ki being energy means that |
| understanding the nature of this substance we are | | | | its substance is something that flows. |
| able to harness its power and utilize it. | | | | The principle of peace and relaxation taught by Aikido |
| The concept of ch'i or qi in Chinese and ki in Japanese, | | | | presupposes the fact that the ki flows more smoothly |
| is very much relative to the type of school that | | | | and strongly when it is uninterrupted. A better illustration |
| teaches it. Some say that ch'i is a force separate from | | | | might be something like, if water is ki, then to harness |
| matter as we know it. Some say that ch'i arises from | | | | its power, it must be allowed to flow to produce |
| matter. Still some say that matter arises from ch'i. | | | | hydroelectric force. |
| What all schools have in common however is the fact | | | | This is why in Aikido, ki energy comes from being |
| that they all more or less say that ch'i is a fundamental | | | | relaxed. It is said that in the relaxed state, the flow of ki |
| energy that can be harnessed to bring power to | | | | is better aided. Aikido as a martial art is not about |
| oneself wither physically, mentally or spiritually. With all | | | | muscle strength or superior physical attributes. It is |
| the different premises that try to explain ch'i, it is clear | | | | really about relaxation, flexibility and stamina. This |
| that mere instructions in words will not be able to fully | | | | allows a smaller person to be able to topple and throw |
| expound on what ch'i is. Perhaps because of this, it is | | | | a larger opponent during practice. |
| better to pass on the knowledge of ch'i through actual | | | | |