For me, the sensations in the body doing ‘Ki for health’ exercises and Ki Aikido, are very similar to receiving/giving healing in the spiritualist church environment or Reiki. Whilst not quite the same, they both feel similarly like a flow through the arms and heightened awareness in the body.
A few years back at work I was made redundant without the company giving me notice nor following correct procedure. There was a moment where I felt emotional and then I remembered to focus on my One Point. From a place of calmness, I requested legal advice and the result was financial compensation and a letter of recommendation for my next employer. Using my Ki Aikido experience, this felt like steering my previous employer into a ‘Tenkan’ movement (guiding the attack around oneself) and then ending in an exercise called ‘Tenchinage’ (Heaven and Earth throw). The heaven part was the extra money. The earth was the feeling of calm directed to the ground where there was just one solution.
Whether it was because of my Ki Aikido training or as well as it, I decided to start training as a shiatsu practitioner. I was coached by a very experienced shiatsu teacher. On one occasion, I was working on the shoulders of a person lying facedown, and the teacher reminded me that posture is important for a good shiatsu touch. In this moment it occurred to me that he meant the One Point – a concept which is central to Ki Aikido. I changed my posture and worked from my One Point and felt a massive positive difference in the shiatsu and it also allowed me to soften the muscles tissue and get underneath to the energy lines. Later on, the teacher said “How did you get into the Hara so quickly?”
This concept, of being able to recognise when one is out of mind and body coordination, and to be able to quickly regain it is extremely useful in everyday life. I continue to enjoy learning the art of Ki Aikido and highly recommend it to anyone who is curious to learn its magic.
Jens Hubert
Newton Abbot Club