About Ki

About Ki, Non-resistance, and Control:

Ki is the internal energy present in all of us. It allows a person to do
things not normally possible utilizing muscle power, and makes Aikido
possible. There are four parts to Ki.

Relax Completely:
Ki is at its greatest in a relaxed state. When you try to do something
utilizing muscle power, in most cases you actually call upon two sets
of muscles, one set to extend and another set to contract. ou are
literally working against yourself. ou do not encounter this problem
if you relax.
Maintain your One Point:
our one point, or !ara, is your center of gra"ity and much more. #y
maintaining it, you need to not only maintain your balance, but do not
let it be drawn a way by an opponent.
Keep your body weigt underside:
The lower you are the better. $owering of the one point and
maintaining it go hand in hand. ou also want to a"oid being top
hea"y, as it makes it easier to be thrown if you are top hea"y.
!xtend you Ki:
Ki has no effect if it is not extended. This is both a physical and a
mental action. %hysically, it is the act of following through. $ike a
pitcher throwing a baseball, if he follows through on the pitch, it
tra"els farther and faster than if he didn&t. 'entally, it is the point of
focus. (o not throw your opponent to the ground, think about
throwing them through the ground and a mile into the earth.

Ki does not flow easily through improper techni)ue, and proper
techni)ue can only be learned through practice with a cooperati"e
partner. When you work with a partner on a techni)ue, begin by not
resisting the techni)ue. Allow it to happen. This will gi"e your
partner a feel for the techni)ue and allow them to de"elop proper
techni)ue. Also, resistance can lead to in*ury. 'any of the
techni)ue will work easily against a resisting opponent, but the
tension present in a resisting opponent limits their ability to mo"e with
a techni)ue, increasing the risk of in*ury. It is best not to apply any
resistance unless you and your partner are thoroughly familiar with
the techni)ue and methods of mo"ing with the techni)ue.

It is also the responsibility of the +age ,-Thrower., the person
executing a techni)ue/ to exercise control. Aikido and Ki can be "ery
powerful, or "ery gentle, depending on how you want to use it. In
class, we stri"e to impro"e oursel"es and increase our knowledge,
we do not want to in*ure each other. 0o we want to exercise control.
(o not become frustrated if you are ha"ing difficult and N!"!R
execute a techni)ue or throw with full power against another student.
Instead, remain calm and relaxed, and execute the techni)ue with
*ust enough force for it to work on your partner.
!N#$