Ki Federation of Great Britain

Aikido - Relaxation - Calmness - Confidence - Mindfulness

Logo of 'Ki Federation of Great Britain' written around the Japanese character meaning 'ki', or 'energy'
  • Home
  • Ki Aikido
    • About the Ki Federation
    • Introduction to Ki Aikido
    • What is Ki Aikido?
    • Abbe Sensei
    • Sensei Williams
  • News
    • All News
    • Federation Updates
    • Articles
  • Courses
    • Aikido Course Calendar
    • Aikido Course List
    • Regular HQ Classes
  • Clubs
    • Find an aikido club near you
    • International Branches
  • Contact us
    • Contact the Office
    • Contact this Website
    • Find Us
  • Videos
    • All Aikido Videos
    • Videos from News Posts
  • Galleries
    • Ki Federation Headquarters
    • Aikido Galleries
    • Fun and Social
  • Testimonials
  • Teachers' login

Transformation through Aikido

14th Jul 2024

Sensei Dimitri Popolov (5th Dan) has provided this story of transformation through Aikido. Dimitri is the the teacher at the London, Ontario dojo in Canada.

Transformation through Aikido

This photograph might not make much sense at a first glance, but there’s a story behind it. About nine months ago a gentleman came to our club with a walker (left, in the photo) and asked to join. He had a history of brain injury and spent three to six years in a hospital recovering. He was bed-ridden and moved from ward to ward so his last doctor only had documents for the last three years.

He joined and started with Ki Development and Ki for Health exercises – the ones all beginners in Ki Aikido are going through. Of course they would have to be tailored to his needs a bit. He would leave his walker by the side of the mat and use it for frequent rests as well as a very high support for some exercises. As he improved he started leaving his walker in the changing room and used a piano stool instead (centre of the photo). He could do exercises with lower support and could sit on a lower seat – a progress undoubtedly. Eventually he has built up enough dynamic balance to start Ki Aikido exercises. Recently we started replacing the stool with the aerobics stepper (right of the photo).

The progress he has made is amazing and proves once again what can be achieved through practice of Co-ordination of mind and body. After nine month of practice he was awarded his 1st Ki test and will now start working towards his yellow belt in earnest. There is a new beginner in the club with eight years of capoeira experience, and they enjoy practicing together. If all goes to plan they will go for their yellow belt together.

As to the other wonderful objects in the photo – we practice in an old ballet studio, hence the parquet floor, bars and inspirational dance pictures on the wall.

Sensei D. Popolov

Please use a Javascript-enabled browser to view the contents of this page.

Facebook 0
Twitter 0

Sidebar links

Headquarters Location

Headquarters Location

Dan Grade Courses

Dan Grade Courses

Upcoming Open Courses

  1. Spring Seminar - 17th May 2025
  2. Lochaber weekend course - 21st Jun 2025
  3. Kyu Grading Course - 12th Jul 2025
  4. Summer Seminar week - 4th Aug 2025
  5. Autumn Seminar - 25th Oct 2025

Upcoming Dan Grade Courses

  1. Weapons Course - 8th Jun 2025
  2. Tanto course, 3rd Dan above - 8th Jun 2025
  3. Introduction To Ki Therapy Course - 28th Jun 2025
  4. 1st Kyu, 1st and 2nd Dan Group - 6th Sep 2025
  5. 6th, 7th, 8th Dan Group Course - 20th Sep 2025

Other links

  • Find us on social media

    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Search this site

  • Post categories & tags

    • All articles
    • Updates
    • Testimonials
    • Courses
    • Junior Aikido
    • Gradings
    • Mind
    • Ki
    • Body
    • Aikido
  • Ki Federation Rules

    To become a Ki Federation member you will sign a membership form agreeing to the Ki Federation rules below. Membership Membership is open to individuals who have paid the annual membership fees laid down from time to time by the Federation (save that individuals who are over the age of 70 are exempt from membership fees), and follow the form of Ki Aikido…
  • Find your local club

    • Beeston (Nottingham) Ki Aikido Club
    • Borehamwood Ki Aikido Club
    • Brighton and Shoreham Ki Aikido Club
    • Bristol Bedminster Ki Aikido Club
    • Bristol Filton Ki Aikido Club
    • Bristol Patchway Ki Aikido Club
    • Bristol Redland Ki Aikido Club
    • Brixton Ki Aikido Club
    • Bucks Ki Aikido Club
    • Canford Heath Ki Aikido Club
    • Chesham Ki-Aikido Club
    • Chew Valley Ki Aikido Club
    • Clapham Ki Aikido Club
    • Cradley Ki Aikido Club
    • Edinburgh Ki Aikido Club
    • Epsom Ki Aikido Club
    • Firhill Ki Aikido Club
    • Gravesend Ki Aikido club
    • Headquarters
    • Hitchin Ki Aikido Club
    • Inkberrow Aikido Club
    • Lochaber Aikido Club
    • Lyme Regis Ki Aikido Club
    • Muswell Hill Ki Aikido Club
    • Newton Abbot Ki Aikido Club
    • Northampton Ki Aikido Club
    • Paisley Elderslie Ki Aikido Club
    • Panteg Ki Aikido Club
    • Salisbury Ki Aikido Club
    • Sarum Ki Aikido Club
    • Shrewsbury Ki Aikido Club
    • St Albans Ki Aikido Club
    • Stewartfield Ki Aikido Club
    • Torquay Ki Aikido Club
    • Truro Ki Aikido Club
    • Wolverhampton Ki Aikido Club

© Ki Federation of Great Britain 2014-2025 | Terms of Service | Site Map | Privacy Policy