Table of Contents

• Reflection of the Week:

  • Kaisho (楷書)

  • The Five Principles of Kaisho

    • 1. Keep One Point

    • 2. Where Is Your Mind?

    • 3. Feel the Bump

    • 4. Move from Where You Are Not Being Held

    • 5. Therefore You Can Perform with Confidence

• Training Week In Review

Reflection of the Week:

In Ki Aikido, we use the calligraphic styles Kaisho (楷書), Gyosho (行書), and Sosho (草書) as metaphor for understanding stages of development in technique and expression. This week we focused on Kaisho, specifically the Five Principles of Kaisho which has also been the EKF theme for 2024. While Kaisho represents the basics, it’s important to remember that mastery begins with a solid foundation. Though practicing the fundamentals may sometimes seem repetitive or even boring, it is by returning to these basics that we continually refine our skills and build the confidence and capability to progress in our practice.

Kaisho (楷書)

In Japanese calligraphy, Kaisho is the most structured and deliberate of the three major styles. Each stroke is carefully drawn, clearly defined, and follows a strict order. Kaisho provides a foundation that gives meaning to later levels. In Ki Aikido, Kaisho can be seen as the beginner’s stage of learning. At this stage, movements are exact and intentional, with a strong focus on posture (姿勢 Shisei), eye-line (視線 Shisen), technique, and mechanics. The emphasis is on gaining a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of Aikido, just as in calligraphy where forming each stroke correctly is essential to mastering the craft.

The Five Principles of Kaisho

1. Keep One Point

2. Where Is Your Mind?

3. Feel the Bump

4. Move from Where You Are Not Being Held

5. Therefore You Can Perform with Confidence

1. Keep One Point

The first principle is about stability—both physical and mental. Before anything else, we must center ourselves. Keeping One Point means realizing our original and natural balance and calmness. Without this stability, we cannot truly perceive or respond to the situations around us, whether on the mat or in life. This is foundational because only when we are centered can we move with clarity and intention.

2. Where Is Your Mind?

This principle relates directly to the state of your mind. Are you calm and focused, or are you distracted? This is the question we ask ourselves for the Shokyu Ki test or the 5th Kyu Aikido test, which teach us to control our attention and remain composed even under pressure. Where your mind is will affect your body and actions. In practice, we must ask ourselves: Is my mind wandering, caught in doubts or distractions, or is at my center? 

3. Feel the Bump

The "bump" is the place where resistance appears, where you feel stuck. Often in practice, when we encounter a bump, the instinct is to force our way through or give up and reset. This principle encourages the opposite. When you feel the bump—whether it is physical tension, mental hesitation, or emotional friction—take a moment to really feel it. Where does it arise in your body? Where in your mind? The bump is not an obstacle but an opportunity, a chance to understand where you are disconnected and to return to mind-body unification. In life, these bumps come in many forms, from difficult conversations to unforeseen challenges, and embracing them and reflecting on them leads to growth.

4. Move from Where You Are Not Being Held

The bump is only a single point of restriction—your mind and body have countless other places to move from. This principle teaches us to focus on the areas that remain free, rather than becoming fixated on the place of resistance. If your wrist is being held, your fingers, feet, and One Point are still free to move. This freedom allows for adaptability, both in Aikido and daily life. In business, when one avenue is blocked, creative problem-solving often requires looking for where you still have leverage or influence. This principle reminds us to seek out and use our points of freedom, no matter the situation.

5. Therefore You Can Perform with Confidence

"Perform with confidence" does not mean arrogance or forcefulness. It does not imply manipulation or clever tricks to make your partner do what you want. Rather, it means moving forward together, knowing that you are aligned with both your partner and the situation. True confidence comes from deep calmness. When you operate from a place of connection, your actions will flow naturally, and your confidence will not be shaken by external forces.

These five principles of Kaisho serve as a guide for both our practice on the mat and our interactions in daily life. Though they focus on the basics, it is through these foundational elements that we develop true strength and understanding. By anchoring ourselves in stability, staying mindful of where our attention is, recognizing the opportunities in challenges, and embracing our freedom to adapt, we can move forward with genuine confidence. Returning to the basics may seem tedious at times, but it is through this deliberate practice that we reinforce our foundation, allowing us to build a more fluid practice in both Aikido and life.

Training Week In Review

• Ki Breathing

  • Where are you stuck? Where is the bump? Is there tension when you inhale? Is your breath choppy? Does your mind wander? If so, bring the mind back, relax the body, and simply breathe.

• Walking Forward

  • We practiced walking forward while pushing on the chest, or while doing unbendable arms. The mind can easily become caught at the point of contact with our partner, thinking we have to push them in order move forward. But if we feel that bump, and then move from where we’re not held (i.e. our feet and one point) we can move easily.

• Shomenuchi Ikkyo Waza

  • When our partner is doing this exercise, we can lightly touch their wrist before they raise their arm. Note, we can lightly touching, not trying to stop them from moving. However, it is easy for their mind to get caught by the moment of contact with our hand and to start moving from the bump. Then we can naturally stop the motion. But, it they are not caught by the bump, they can move freely.

• Tenkan Waza and Tobikomi (entering in like for katatekosatori kokyunage)

  • While doing this exercise, our partner can hold our wrist, similar to the above (i.e. hold lightly, not trying to stop the motion). When we feel the bump, we pause, feel where I mind went, then move from the fingertips and our one point and carry on.

  • Now do these exercises but with ryotemochi (two hands grabbing). The principles remain the same, but the physical expression of the movement is very different because your partner has control over more degrees of your freedom so it is easier to get stuck. Let your partner have those points of contact and just move from where you are not being held.

• Yokomenuchi Shihonage

  • There are four places to get stuck/feel a bump

    • The initial point of contact. Are you blocking, or are you blending?

    • Moving in, are you pushing uke’s hand/arm? Are you pulling? Are you moving it around side to side?

    • Bringing the arm up. Are you pulling it up? Or just leading the finger tips?

    • Dropping the arm down. Are you “cranking” uke’s wrist and actually holding them up? Both of your hands just naturally drop down.

  • Yokomenuchi Zenponage

    • Are you blocking the striking hand, or blending with and leading it?

    • Are you “chopping” with the other hand, or leading uke’s mind?

  • Katatetori Kaitenage (Irimi & Tenkan)

    • It’s easy when doing irimi to create a bump as you enter with atemi.

    • Keep the slack out of the arm, but not with tension. It should still be smooth and relaxed.

I look forward to seeing you on the mat (and in daily life) soon!