Kotsu Kotsu

At the beginning of every Kokikai Aikido class we practice ki development exercises. Beginning students often wonder about the purpose of these movements. I sometimes sense students are waiting to get the ki exercises over with so we can get to the fun part of class. Don't make this mistake! Ki development exercises are really important! I was lucky to have an instructor who devoted a lot of attention to ki exercises, and I learned to give as much attention to them as to all the other aspects of my practice. Ki Development Exercises: Purpose Sensei often compares ki exercises to strength training exercises for athletes . Quite simply: they help make us stronger. No one claims they're a substitute for technique when it's time to defend yourself. A boxer may do push-ups to become strong, but in the ring nobody's going to be doing push-ups! Mindful practice of ki development exercises helps us form good habits of mind/body coordination . One of the first things...

Aikido students often ask me what they can do when they are away from Rutgers for the summer and they can't find a nearby Kokikai dojo to practice in. Koichi Tohei taught that the practice of aikido technique was just one of five disciplines or aspects of practice, which include: Aikido Technique Ki Exercises Kiatsu  Breathing Practice Meditation Maruyama Sensei was Tohei's student until he founded Kokikai Aikido, and many of the concepts in Kokikai Aikido have roots in Tohei Sensei’s teaching. I tell students that if they can't come to the dojo for an extended period of time, they can take part in any practice that will help them develop awareness of their bodies, increase their ability to relax while they are engaging in effortful activities, focus on one point and balance. This might include attentive practice of sports, music, yoga, and/or one of the activities listed above.