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Principles of Aikido
"you may not
believe in Ki, but you sure as hell cultivate it"
True Victory is Victory Over Oneself
One must first learn to control oneself before attempting to harmonize
and control others. Without a good balance and control of oneself, one
can neither avoid an attack nor apply an effective technique on others.
It is through self-control that one can learn to enjoy a harmonious way
of life.
Principle of Oneness
In order to harmonize with the laws of nature, we must first learn to
develop and maintain the right attitude of training. We must always keep
the attitude of becoming one with every situation. This is an attitude
of respect for all things at all times. Regardless of the situation,
friend or foe, one must always be ready to harmonize. The right attitude
greatly affects the efficiency of the action. It is not how strong, but
rather how correct you are that counts. This concept of oneness will
make it possible for anyone regardless of age or sex to perform the arts
efficiently.
Principle of Circular Motion
The spiritual circle is the foundation of all Aikido techniques.
Circular movement synthesizes everything and can freely resolve all
problems. The innermost study of the circular motion is to develop new
techniques from the center of the circle. Aikido techniques are
combinations of circular movements. Regardless of the ways the opponent
attacks, linear or angular, a circular motion centered at your lower
abdomen, hara, will naturally blend with the attack so that you can
execute a controlling art with efficiency. The centripetal force will
draw the opponent into your range of effectiveness so that the
centrifugal force can eject him effectively. All circular motions are
preceded by a spiritual circle. The spiritual circle is the circle drawn
within one's mind before the execution of the physical circle.
Range of Effectiveness
The best way to defend yourself against an attack is to get out of the
opponent's range of effectiveness. You can step off the line of force,
move out of the opponent's radius of reach or step inside of the circle
of attack. However, in order to be able to control an attacker, one must
remain well within his/her own range of effectiveness at the same time
he/she is moving out of the attacker's range of effectiveness. Barely
reaching the attacker will not give the defender full advantage for
he/she will be over extended and off balance. Being too close to the
attacker could also hinder one's effectiveness. Depending on the
situation, one must learn to realize the range of effectiveness of that
moment.
Principle of Ki
Ki is the force behind all things. Everything in the universe has Ki. Ki
is the essence of our world. It is the basis of all matter, every
phenomenon, emotion, sense, direction, will, consciousness and
conscience. Ki is also an energy which can be very useful in our daily
lives when used properly. Ki is our life force which keeps us alive. Ki
is the binding force of our mind and body. We can be very efficient if
we unify our mind and body. However, it is rather difficult to maintain
the oneness of mind and body throughout our daily lives without
something to bind them together. As electricity keeps the computer and
the robot working together, Ki keeps the mind and the body working in
oneness.
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