02/06/2025
Ever since I started practicing Ki Aikido, I dreamed of visiting Japan to experience how this way of living in harmony with the Universe is truly embodied. It finally happened, a dream come true!
We received the invitation last year to attend a 3-day Ki Aikido seminar this May at the Nippon Budokan in Katsuura, organized by the Northwest Ki Federation, led by Calvin Tabata Sensei, and held by Shinichi Tohei Sensei, president of the Ki Society and successor of Master Koichi Tohei Sensei, along with his top instructors.
We decided to go, no matter what and I’m so glad we did. We learned lessons beyond words, lived soul-warming experiences, and came back with a new perspective on life.
A few reflections that stayed with me:
1. The etiquette we learn in Aikido is simply part of daily life in Japan—people bow, thank, and act with sincerity, everywhere, all the time.
2. Adapting teaching for different cultures is fine, but the art has one standard. Our practice should evolve from it, not around it.
3. Key reminders:
– Ki connection transcends the dualities of right/wrong, good/bad, winner/loser, the relativity of cultures, languages, backgrounds, and disarms control and imposition on people.
– Unity of mind and body is the true measure of our practice. Mind leads body. Ki goes first.
– Move as one calmly, continuously, and with precision. Cutting Ki is not an option. There’s no room for sloppiness either.