spiralofhope

Aikido >

• https://web.archive.org/web/20020410225437/http://ki-aikido.com.sg/Ki-Aikido-Advert.html

• Based on the URL, was this originally an advertisement?

Extracted from: www.healthanswers.com.sg ^[ 1 ] I didn’t look very hard, but there is https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.healthanswers.com.sg/
(This site is no longer in the www)
Date reviewed: August 02, 2000
This article posted has not been in anyway edited by our Webmaster

Get your way through non-violent means. Vincent Leong of HealthAnswers reports on the beauty of Ki-Aikido. ∞

The two men tower over a petite Alice Koh. She stands there, calm and collected. The men stand flanking her, each holding on to one of her arms. At the count of three, they take a deep breath and try to lift her. A few seconds pass, and Alice is still standing there. The men’s faces turn red as they continue to exert all their strength – to no avail.

This is not a magic show. Alice Koh Sensei, in her 40s and a mother of two, is demonstrating the basic mind and body co-ordination of Ki-Aikido. In the day, Alice is a merchandising manager at a leading departmental store, but for three evenings each week, she is Alice Kow Sensei to 40-odd Ki-Aikido enthusiasts. Alice is Assistant Chief Instructor at Singa Dojo at the Singapore Martial Arts Instructors Association.

Physical And Mental Fitness ∞

According to Alice, who has been practising ki-aikido for more than 12 years, it has made her a totally different person. Not only is she fitter physically, she feels that she is now stronger mentally, more focused in everything she does. She also finds that she is not as timid as she used to be.

“I used to have severe gastritis, and I was very timid,” says Alice. “After I joined the Ki-Aikido class for about a year. I found that my gastric problem was not bothering me anymore, and I was not afraid to watch horror movies!”

Physical fitness and mental well being comes almost as second nature for Ki-Aikido practitioners.

Alice Kow tenses up and is easily lifted up by the men (right), but as she relaxes and regulates the flow of her Ki, the men fail to lift her (left).

“A lot of people live very stressful lives. The breathing exercises we learn here are very helpful to executives or just anyone who lives a stressful lifestyle, as it helps them to regulate their breathing,” laughs Alice. “We always tell our students that if they fall sick or catch the flu, it is because they haven’t practised their Ki breathing enough.”

She goes on to explain: “People who practise Ki-Aikido have stronger resistance. We have students who suffer from asthma, and they always find that their asthma condition improve over time after practising the breathing exercises.”

Razali Hussein Sensei, another instructor at the Dojo, also feels that Ki-Aikido has made him a healthier person. Razali picked up Ki-Aikido after learning karate for seven years. A karate first-Dan holder, he has taken part in numerous karate tournaments on the regional level. However, he took to Ki-Aikido and has found it much more beneficial health-wise. He says: “It has definitely make me more resistant to common cold and viruses.”

How Ki-aikido Works ∞

The philosophy of Ki-Aikido is this: Instead of going all out to counter an opponent’s attack, Ki-Aikido martial artists neutralise the situation by gaining control of the aggressor. Instead of breaking bones and throwing the opponent across the ring, like what other styles of martial arts may teach, Ki-Aikido training emphasises rhythm, flexibility, mental strength, and co-ordination.

Students of Ki-Aikido do not go all out in full contact sparring, but instead, they practise in pairs going through fluid motion.

Each student who is taking up the role of the defender borrows the strength of the attacker at the moment of attack and leads him to an unexpected vulnerable position. The defender, instead of counter attacking, neutralises the situation by either pushing the attacker to a roll or locking his limbs.

Francis Chong Sensei, the chief instructor at Singa Dojo, explains it this way, “How can you convince others to share your views? And at the same time avoid conflict? You can do this by respecting other people’s views. Because in turn, others will respect your views.”

A Form Of Self-Defence ∞

Despite the “soft” nature of this martial art, the accomplished practitioner can also use it as a self-defence skill.

“At the very advanced level, ki-aikido can definitely be use as techniques for self-defence. Aikido actually evolved from Jujitsu, a very hard martial art. In ki-Aikido, we apply a lot of locks to the limbs, and these locks can hurt and can be painful to the opponent. Certain locks can actually break a person’s joints or bones,” says Alice.

“After practising ki-Aikido for so long, our tendons and muscles are more supple, and a lock applied on me will hurt too, but it will not be that much. But if the same lock is applied to someone who does not practise Aikido, it may feel very different.”

Kevin Ho, a first-Kyu belt holder, thinks he benefits most from learning the principles of Ki-Aikido and applying them to his daily life.

“It is a soft-art, and it is not a martial art whereby you take to the streets to pick up fights. For example, you actually learn to respect your seniors and it can be translated to filial piety at home,” he says.

Ki-Aikido For Life ∞

If you are looking for an activity that not only helps you build your physical strength, but also strengthens your mental fitness, improves your flexibility, plus calm your stressed nerves; ki-aikido is for you. At Singa Dojo, there are trainees from 12 to 55 years old. You can call Tel: 65-467-6045 or Fax: 65-467-2646. You can also e-mail: ki-aikido at ki-aikido.com.sg to enquire about new ki-aikido classes at Singa Dojo.

The Art Of Ki-Aikido ∞

Ki-Aikido is an offshoot of the more widely known Japanese martial art Aikido.

Ki-Aikido has a similar concept as Tai Chi, whereby practitioners learn how to use breathing exercises and martial arts movements to develop the Ki in their body. Ki can be roughly interpreted as the life force, or the inner-strength, within all of us. A Ki-Aikido martial artist strives to make full use of his Ki to strengthen the mind and body, and also to heal.

The Ki Development Curriculum Taught At The Singa Dojo:

• Mind and Body Co-ordination

  • Four principles that guide the practitioner to coordinate the mind and body.

• Ki Exercises

  • Exercises that practises mind and body co-ordination in daily activities.

• Ki Breathing

  • Breathing techniques that enhance relaxation and calmness even when one is nervous or upset.

• Ki Meditation

  • The practice of an advanced stage of mind and body unification.

• Aikido with Mind and Body unified

  • Advanced stage of ki development whereby the student learns martial arts as an expression of mind and body coordination in motion.

• Kiatsu

  • Healing techniques by stimulating ki flow.