Gabriel from the East Kilbride club has written a rather lovely aikido poem. He has sent this in response to our request for articles for the website and social media.

Dance of Ki

• Planets spinning up on high
• On this world, spin you and I

• Expressing beauty in technique
• Practising till our moves are sleek

• Currents of ki racing through
• Bouncing back from me to you

• Tracing circles as we go
• Focussed power in each throw

• Joy of movement as we try
• Down to earth and up to sky

• Training the mind to remain calm
• Soothing my fears, this healing balm

• In moments of danger: do I live or die?
• With unified body I draw arcs of pi

• Vicious attacker trying to harm
• Turn the one point, twist an arm

• I cry no tears, on my face a grin
• Sat down beside him, holding a pin

• Who ultimately wins: the lover or hater?
• Harmonising ki, my compassion is greater

• Purifying anger, rage, aggression
• To live in harmony, a celebration