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PERSONAL COACH

Do you wish to explore in depth the issue of mind and body unification, either as an individual or an organized group? I can assist you as a Personal Coach in a workshop or a continuous course for which it is possible to prepare an agenda that suits your needs.

Whether you want to look for positive changes in your daily life, in your health, in your personal or professional relationships. Or you work for example in the field of arts that use the body as the main tool, such as acting or dance and you want to apply the principles of coordination of mind and body to improve your performance.

Furthermore, We also offer seminars and courses for organisations, based on fundamental principles of mind and body unification and Aikido, on topics such as:

Mindfulness.
Stress management.
Conflict resolution.
Body language.

In any case please contact us and we will discuss the possibilities.

AIKIDO

AIKIDO means: The way of harmony (Union) with Ki (universal).

Aikido is a modern martial art of Japanese origin, which, being essentially the study of non-collision, non-conflict, it seeks to redirect and harmonize with opposition forces using non-aggressive and non-violent means.

KI AIKIDO; Aikido with mind and body unified, is developed based on the arts of traditional Aikido. It specializes in the development of mind and body Unification (KI Development), where the use of Ki predominates above physical force, by increasing the natural force available through the development of relaxation and self-awareness.

A person’s physical interactions with others reflect his or her habitual patterns of thought, feeling and action. The practice of Mind and Body Unification (Ki Development) and Ki Aikido, shows that changes in the way we perceive the world can bring about changes in movement, changes in movement can bring about changes in our worldview, in who we are, in the way we interact with our relationships and with the world. The positive changes in the mind will become positive changes in the body; positive changes in the body will become positive changes in the mind.

This practice, besides providing specific tools to handle conflict, stress, and to harmonize with ourselves and our environment, it gives us a unified state that promotes health, correct use of the body, self-confidence and cohesion in life, thereby enhancing all our mental and physical abilities.

Ki Aikido is not a sport or competitive practice; it is an art of life, which practice is comprised of a variety of disciplines that complement each other covering all fields from the physical and physiological to the psychological and spiritual. Primarily:

SHIN SHIN TOITSU DO, Mind and body unification (Ki Development)
SHIN SHIN TOITSU AIKIDO, Aikido with mind and body unified (Ki Aikido)
KENKODO, The way of health.

Due to its nature of search for harmony, there is not age limits for its practice, and anyone can practice it. It is possible to practice Ki Development and Kenkodo independently and separately from Aikido.

Aikido offers a completely different and surprisingly innovative approach with respect to the common Japanese Martial Arts.

A new message is found in the overview of their methodology and didactics. Being Life the field of practice, this is not limited to the mat, to the ring or training gym, affecting humans in their relationship with the world, with life. This accomplishment is achievable mainly through the own perceptual ability, experiencing self-awareness as well as the perception of space and time.  It is with this general view that the relationship with the opponent is created. The perspective is one in which “you attack me, I do not”, which when I do not participate in the challenge, I do not create conflict, do not block, do not hit, do not offer resistance, but created a situation in which your attack is depleted without causing harm to anyone. Thus the task of Nage (the practitioner) is to manage the situation so that the attack of Uke (the attacker) does not occur. The practitioner will then use the old techniques designed to break or to deter trough pain, so to guide the partner in the execution of the attacking action, without damage and without creating any resistance.

Aikido is an extremely educational discipline as most of the Arts. Today, the most appropriate way to define Aikido is understand it as an art, as the Doshu Kenjiro Yoshigasaki says: “The arts, such as music, dance, painting, theatre, sculpture, poetry, etc., comes from the real world but create a new reality that is not a copy of the real world. This new reality that is beautiful and harmonious leads the world to become a better world. This is why the arts are very important to humans.  Aikido is an art of danger. …After understanding our life and the world as one and all the different dangers as one, we realise that any attack on others is also part of the danger in our lives. The art of Aikido consist in the development of beautiful and harmonious techniques that creates a new reality of the real danger situation in the real world. This art will also help us to live in the same way our daily life that is full of danger. Which means that Aikido is the art of life.”*

*Kenjiro Yoshigasaki: Aikido Arte di vita. Vol 1, Erga Edizioni, Génova July 2012.

KI

Ki is a Japanese word which is not easily translated into English. It is used in many common Japanese idiomatic phrases which carries a meaning of spirit, energy, power, air or breath, and by extension life force. There is an ancient connection between the spirit and breath related to the Chinese word Chi (or Qi ) and the Hindu word Prana. Being this older meaning of Ki , a term for the life force ( breath) and the natural power within us and within all things, is how we refer the term here.

Tohei Sensei talks about connecting to the Ki of the universe. This means to let go of the conflict we perceive in the relative world around us and in us and raise awareness of the infinite calm of absolute world where there is no other. With a calmer open mind, we begin to truly relax allowing the Ki of the Universe to flow through us. We are extending Ki.
Extending Ki is a natural state that we knew intuitively as babies, but as we have grown up in the hectic modern society of today we have forgotten how to let the Ki of the Universe flow through us.

Shin Shin Toitsu Do, Mind and Body Unification (Ki Development) is a specialized method for the development of the mind and body unification, conceiving as a whole the physical and mental aspects. Through self-experimentation teaches us to develop inner vitality or energy, connecting us again with the Universal Ki, allowing us to develop the best of our abilities, creating self-confidence and promoting a healthier and happier life.

Ki development is focused on the study of perception, for everything that relates to the principles of the mind, and relaxation for the body principles; to attain the realization of an optimal state of psychophysical integration, with which we are ready to stand at the maximum of our potential. This is done when we are able to raise our level of perception and is feasible if our mind is free, is calm and found a good relationship between us and the space. This also allows us to connect to others in a compassionate, authentic way that enriches life and nourishes the spirit. All this can be verified by a system of checks, through which we understand our state and how to improve our weaknesses.

HEALTH

KENKODO; The Way of Health, it is not a therapy, but a way that allows us to learn to know and keep our and others body healthy. Practicing regularly helps us understand what our body tells us when there is a problem and what it needs to help health improvement. KENKODO includes:

KOKYU HO: Breathing methods.
SEIZA HO: Meditation.
KENKO TAISO: Gymnastics for health with mind and body coordinated.
TEATE HO: Method of utilization of the vital energy with your hands.
SOTAI HO: Method of harmonization of the body structure.
SEITAI HO: Gymnastics on the floor.

KOKYU HO, breathing methods. It is based on the proper use of the diaphragm when breathing. In fact, busy life and stress cause us incorrect breathing using mainly the upper chest reducing ventilation and the beneficial effects of oxygenation of blood and body.

SEIZA HO, Meditation. It is a type of meditation that leads to a receptive state of inner calm, to promote a state of attention “thoughtless”. In fact, when we meditate, we put ourselves in a condition where we free our brains to redo our thoughts, emotions, and images. All this creates a deep relaxation that improves alertness, recreating greater control of neural circuits and stress; greater mental coherence and adaptability.

KENKO TAISO, Gymnastics for health with mind and body coordinated. These are calisthenics exercises affecting the whole body based on harmonious movements and stretching. In some cases parts of the body which are not usually used are also stimulated. In contrast to classic gymnastic exercises in which the body is forced and unnecessary stress is generated, the KenkoTaiso sequence prioritizes on the elasticity of the movement without forcing whatsoever. These movements are carried out according to a rate set by the teacher in a way so the complete sequence constitutes an element of distension and rhythmic relaxation

TEATE HO, Method of utilization of the vital energy with your hands. Restores the flow of vital energy. Rebalance body functions, eliminates stress, pain and contractures. Using the fingers and palm of the hand on the surface of the body in order to correct imbalances in the body, maintain and promote health. It also develops our perceptual and sensory abilities.

SOTAI HO, Method of harmonization of the body structure. It consists of very gentle exercises coordinated with the companions breathing, always directed towards the most beneficial movements direction of one or more muscles, about the area we want to work. It produces muscle relaxation, restores the balance of the body by harmonizing the breath with the movements. The movements are always performed within natural limits. we hear what the body communicates and we adjust to it, trying to create conditions so that the body will “fix” itself.

SEITAI HO, Floor Gymnastics. It is a sequence of exercises that are useful to correct body asymmetries or imbalances, developed as a way to rejuvenate the legs, properly align the hips and the spine, stimulate blood flow, sensitize the nervous system and increase flexibility. By practicing these exercises regularly (15 – 20 minutes), it gives stress relief, have more energy, increase concentration and maintain a balanced health. It is important to keep in mind when doing the exercises that what really matters is the stretch action, and not the amplitude of the stretch. Simply maintaining the posture in which stretching is noticed, breathing deeply and trying to relax, is enough.

YOGA

There is a strong relationship between Yoga and Aikido, in fact these two words have a similar meaning and in a certain way they move in the same universe; Yoga means “union” or “connection.” In Sanskrit, the word “yoga” is used to express any form of connection. Yoga is both a state of connection and a body of techniques that allow us to connect to anything. The conscious connection to something allows us to feel and experience that thing, person or experience. The experience of connection is a state of yoga, a joyful and blissful, fulfilling experience.

Consciousness is the secret of yoga. One of its definitions is that yoga is any method that allows us to wake up to who or what we really are and what the meaning of life is. Anything that allows us to be more self-conscious and feel connected with ourselves and life is a form of yoga.

On the other hand, in Japanese, the word Aikido means “the way of harmony (union) with Ki (universal)”. We see that many of the basic principles of ki aikido are developed from concepts and practices of yoga.

The practice of yoga has aroused great interest in contemporary Western society as a response to the hectic pace of life and stress. Towards the middle of the twentieth century, yoga erupted in the West, where it has already consolidated as a global phenomenon backed by scientific studies that determine its benefits. This millennial discipline has been so successful to the point of being declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.

The tradition is becoming especially important at the global level, for example, the Indian government has since 2014 with the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, and that same year the General Assembly of the United Nations established on June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, Citing that it “provides a holistic approach to health and well-being” and recognizing that it is important to inform “the world that constant practice promotes disease prevention”.

Yoga gains recognition as it begins to become part of studies and research that recognize its advantages. Among the benefits of Yoga are the strengthening of bones and muscles, greater flexibility, improved breathing, stress management, concentration and a conscious connection with the environment, among others.

MASTERS

We review the reference masters that are relative to the entire discipline: who threw the first seed, who has contributed more to the development of its theoretical, philosophical, and educational basis, as well as in its worldwide diffusion, in various stages of its evolution. These being the masters on which we base our practice:

Kenjiro Yoshigasaki

Founder of KI No Kenkyukai Association Internationale. Kenjiro Yoshigasaki, Kagoshima, Japan. 1951 – Brussels, February 13, 2021. He started practicing yoga at the age of 10 and Aikido in 1968, at the age of 17, under Koichi Tohei Sensei. In addition he studied many other martial arts and in 1971 he spent a year in India devoted to the study of Yoga. He also studied Zen Buddhism, New Shintoism, Catholicism and Islam. In 1973 he became an Aikido instructor with the Ki Society, under Tohei Sensei. Being fluent in English, French and Italian in addition to his native Japanese, He accompanied Tohei Sensei on many of his overseas teaching trips.

In 1977, Kenjiro Yoshigasaki Sensei moved to Europe as the chief instructor for the Ki Society, being a pioneer and giving its fundamental contribution to the development and dissemination of Ki Aikido particularly in Europe, South America and South Africa. In 2003 Yoshigasaki Sensei founded the independent Ki No Kenkyukai Association Internationale organization, to further develop the concepts of Tohei Sensei. The organization has over 4.000 members, from around 130 dojos in more than 20 countries, predominately in Europe but also in South Africa and South America. Yoshigasaki Sensei was based in Brussels and conducted training seminars throughout Europe.

1978 is the date in which Tohei Sensei held its first seminar in Europe, with the assistance of a young Kenjiro Yoshigasaki. An important date because it was the beginning of the development of many dojos across the old continent.

Equipped with a superb interpretation capability, Yoshigasaki Sensei was able to translate in a simple language and didactically explain the already rich teaching of Koichi Tohei Sensei. Even in later years when the Tohei Sensei, unable to move for health reasons, he taught while sitting in a chair, unable to demonstrate sufficiently explanatory with his bodies’ movements the technics or proposed concepts.

Having been a teacher for forty years of over 20,000 students worldwide, Yoshigasaki Sensei developed a clear way for a “practice for living”, respecting the original motivations and assumptions given by Morihei Ueshiba Sensei for a way of harmony and peace. From the study of Aikido techniques, interpreting them as a moment of relationship and not as a moment of conflict, He has revealed a more introspective path, using also techniques and exercises of the martial and meditative Japanese tradition.

In 2002 he published his first book: “The inner journey of a stranger”, aimed at anyone who wants to understand life. In 2012 he published his second book, “Aikido art of living”, first volume. In 1996, the first video was made, the famous “The Beginner” with Lord Menuhin. Later on made other instructional videos as ” All of Aikido”.

Yoshigasaki Sensei was the Doshu (the custodian of the way) of Aikido in his organization, Ki No Kenkyukai Association Internationale. He is one of the most important figures in the world reference for teaching Aikido as a path of life.

Doshu
Aikido is a way (Do) and the way must be maintained in practice. The person who keeps the way is the Doshu. In Japanese, there are two different meanings of Doshu. The first means “master of the way” and the second means “custodian of the way” (which maintains preserves, canned). The difference is that there can only be one “master of the way”, but many “custodians of the way”. The highest teacher of the Aikido organizations should be called Doshu – custodian of the way.

Koichi Tohei Sensei

Founder of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido; Aikido with mind and body unified (Ki Aikido). Koichi Tohei was born on January 20, 1920 in Tokyo, Japan. At the age of seventeen he began the study of Misogi and Zen. At the age of 19 he started to study Aikido under Ueshiba Sensei, and at 25 he started studying mind and body unification from Tempu Nakamura. Tohei Sensei developed his own systematic way of teaching incorporating the concepts of mind and body unification in Aikido and He has spread the principles of Ki and Aikido in the USA and Europe since 1953. He died on May 19, 2011.

Koichi Tohei studied judo as a teenager, but his training was interrupted while a student at Keio University due to a bout with pleurisy. In 1940, in an effort to regain his health, Tohei engaged in intensive misogi breathing and meditation training, when he returned to his doctors, all traces of pleurisy had disappeared.

It was shortly thereafter that he received an introduction to Morihei Ueshiba Sensei who operated a private martial arts dojo in the Shinjuku Ward of Tokyo. Tohei immediately joined the dojo and practiced intensively under the Aikido Founder up until the time of his induction into the Japanese Imperial Army in October 1942, there he was dispatched to a platoon near the Central China front. He realized through personal experience in battle that he must master calmness and relaxation. Tohei Sensei learned under fire the secret of directing ki and maintaining the one point in the lower abdomen. He gained important insight into his previous training and how it must be applied to daily life.

at the end of the war he was repatriated in 1946. Soon thereafter, Tohei reestablished contact with Morihei Ueshiba who had retired to his country home in Iwama, Ibaragi Prefecture. Tohei resumed training in aikido. It was also during this period that Tohei began training under Tempu Nakamura Sensei, whom is credited as being the first to teach yoga in Japan. His teachings had a profound influence on Tohei Sensei. Nakamura talked about the importance of positive thinking and taught what he called mind and body unification (shin-shin toitsu do). Tohei Sensei saw that these ideas were fundamental to Aikido and incorporated them as he developed his own systematic way of teaching.

Ueshiba promoted Tohei to 8th dan at the young age of 32 in 1952 in recognition of his status as the Founder’s leading student. In 1953 Tohei Sensei began to spread Ki Principles and aikido in Hawaii. He spread aikido throughout the US and helped establish schools on the east coast, west coast and in Chicago, as well as Hawaii. Tohei Sensei sent many instructors from Japan to the US to teach and lead schools. Between 1953 and 1971 he visited the United States on fifteen occasions, staying in the US for up to a year at a time.

Tohei Sensei received tenth dan, the highest rank in aikido, in 1969. In 1971, Tohei created the Ki no Kenkyukai outside of the Aikikai where he taught his Ki principles separate from aikido techniques. He served as Director of Shihan and Director of the Aikikai until leaving that organization in 1974. At this time, he established Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, Aikido with Mind and Body Unified (Ki Aikido), Tohei’s approach to aikido with Ki principles incorporated. He later launched a healing method called “Kiatsu” that was taught in conjunction with his Ki-based Aikido.

Tohei Sensei was famous for teaching Ki to many well-known athletes, including Japanese baseball star Sadaharu Oh. He was also the subject of a lengthy television documentary in Japan. Tohei Sensei wrote many books on Ki Principles and Aikido including Ki in Daily Life, Ki no Iryoku (“Power of Ki”), Seiko no Hiketsu wa Ki ni ari (“The Key to Success is Ki”) and others.

Koichi Tohei Sensei died in Japan on May 19, 2011 at the age of 91.

Morihei Ueshiba Osensei

Founder of Aikido. Ueshiba Sensei was born on December 14, 1883 in Tanabe, Japan. He developed Aikido from Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu and the Omoto religion integrating the teachings of Sokaku Takeda and Onisaburo Deguchi respectively. He is often referred to as Ōsensei “Great Teacher”. Ueshiba Sensei died on April 26, 1969.

Morihei Ueshiba was one of the greatest martial artists of the twentieth century. Master Ueshiba spent his youth and early adulthood training under a variety of sword and Jujitsu masters. As he grew older he experienced increasing disquiet, feeling that training for the sake of winning was not enough. After a long, arduous period of training and meditation, Master Ueshiba perceived the true purpose of the martial arts to be the promotion of universal peace and love. He saw that the ideal victory was a conflict resolved without winner or loser. Master Ueshiba began to change the techniques and practices he had learned to align with his new understanding. This led to the development of Aikido.

It is quite clear that the main technical influence on aikido are the Daito-ryu techniques of Sokaku TAKEDA. His direct association with this school has so far been documented from 1915 through 1937.

The founder of aikido was also influenced philosophically and religiously by the OMOTO RELIGION, especially the thinking of Reverend Onisaburo DEGUCHI. His involvement with this religion began in December 1919. Ueshiba lived in Ayabe from 1920 through 1927 and was active as an Omoto believer and close supporter of Deguchi. He accompanied the Omoto leader in 1924 on an ill-fated trip to Manchuria and Mongolia in an attempt to establish a utopian colony.

At the urging of several high-ranking military officers, notably Admiral Isamu TAKESHITA, Ueshiba relocated to Tokyo in 1927 and taught in several locations before establishing the Kobukan Dojo in 1931. This dojo was the center of his activities over the next 11 years where he was extremely active as a teacher of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu. He gradually separated himself from Sokaku Takeda and began calling his art AIKI BUDO. In the late 1930s, the founder also made several trips to Manchuria where he conducted seminars and gave demonstrations. Shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, he resigned from his teaching posts in Tokyo, which included several military schools, and retired to IWAMA. During and immediately after the war, Ueshiba remained in Iwama and devoted himself to intensive training, meditation and farming. He repeatedly stated that it was in Iwama that he perfected modern aikido. In the mid-1950s, the founder began to spend considerable time in Tokyo and also traveled to a certain extent, often to the Kansai region. Ueshiba received the Medal of Honor with the Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government in 1960. In 1961, accompanied by Koichi TOHEI and Nobuyoshi TAMURA, he visited Hawaii to participate in the opening of the Honolulu Aikikai. His last years were spent primarily in Tokyo where his health gradually became frail. Nonetheless, he continued instructing through the early part of February 1969, until he fell ill and was admitted to Keio University Hospital. He was released to be returned home where he died of liver cancer on 26 April 1969. He was posthumously given the Buddhist name of Aiki-in Seibu Enyu Daidoshi. Ueshiba taught tens of thousands of students during his teaching career which spanned some 50 years and is noted for his ethical and humanistic view of the martial arts which holds the concept of non-conflict, rather than the defeat of an adversary, as the ideal.

Tempu Nakamura Sensei

Founder of Shin Shin Toitsu Do; The Way of Mind and Body Unification, also known as Japanese Yoga. Tempu Nakamura was born on July 20, 1876 in Tokyo, Japan. He was a martial artist who created the art Shin Shin Toitsu Do, from Japanese martial arts and meditation practices, as well as Western medicine, psychotherapy and unique versions of Raja Yoga and Karma Yoga, which he learned from his teacher of Yoga and meditation called Kaliapa in Kangchenjunga, in the Himalayas. Nakamura Sensei is often regarded as the father of yoga in Japan. He died on December 1, 1968.

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INSTRUCTOR

John López

Nidan (2nd Dan), Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, Aikido with mind and body unified (Ki Aikido).
Chuden, Shin Shin Toitsu Do, mind and body unification (Ki Development).

Born in Bogota, Colombia in 1971.
Architect from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Musical Studies, Javeriana University. Bogota, Colombia.
Disciple of Kenjiro Yoshigasaki Sensei, President of Ki No Kenkyukai Association Internationale (KNKAI).
Disciple of Carsten Møller Sensei, Chief Instructor in Denmark; (KNKAI).
Yoga Diploma, of the Externado University and Embassy of India, Bogota 2017.
Received his Nidan (2nd Dan) in Florence, Italy in 2010.
Received his Shodan (1st Dan) in Copenhagen in 2007.
Has been an instructor of the Ki & Aikido Dojo, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Practice Ki Aikido since 1994 in Denmark and other European countries.
Practiced Aikido (Aikikai) between 1990 and 1994.
Practiced gymnastics between 1987 and 1990.
Practiced different martial arts In the eighties.

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CONTACT

KI AIKIDO

Email: aikido (at) joolark.com

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