Aoyama, O-sensei

What is ki? Is it shouting "iei!" and throwing people from a distance? Is it lifting objects without touching them? You've seen "ki masters" do these things on TV. There may indeed be some people with such supernatural powers, I can't say that there aren't. But this is not what we do here. This aikido is aikido that anyone can do.

"Ki" is the ki of "kimochi" (feeling). When you are truly involved in doing something and focusing all of your attention on it, then it will go well. On the other hand, if you are doing something feeling all the while, "I don't want to be doing this!" then it will not turn out well.

"Ki" is also "daishizen" (all of nature). Let me explain. I'm sure you all have learned about particle theory in school, that all matter is made of atoms, and atoms of electrons and neutrons. When I was in school that was all that they knew, but since then even smaller particles have been discovered. And we will not be surprised when they announce that those particles are actually composed of even smaller particles. So, the universe is the totality of infinitely small particles, which we call "ki".

Relax undo -> unliftable arm, unbendable arm
Kokyu-ho (ki breathing)

The two children attending Aoyama classes take their 8 kyu test and pass. L-san takes his 5 kyu test and passes, too, although he is not well prepared for oneness rhythm exercises and O-sensei must correct him a number of times. L-san has a black belt from the UK ki-style aikido organization, but has had to start over here. This is difficult to do! Everyone treats him as a beginner again! These past few months he has struggled with learning new ways to do things without discarding the old ways - the teachers he respects and loves, the techniques he invested so much time and effort into internalizing - as "wrong". He has many informative observations and questions about the differences in practice between the two organizations.

Futarigake shiho nage