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Aikido-Yoga and Prana (Ki or Chi ) ‘Prana’ (from Indian philosophy), or 'ki' (from Japanese philosophy) or 'Chi' (from Chinese philosophy), is used to describe an all encompassing, universal ‘life-force’ or 'energy' that exists throughout the universe. The four main sources of life-force energy (prana) are breath, sleep, food and the power of a calm yet concentrated mind capable of sustaining it's intention. The Indian word ‘prana’ comes from two Sanskrit words, 'Pra', meaning constant and 'Na', meaning movement. Based on yogic principles, correct breathing and the mental control practices that underpin Aikido-Yoga training, we gradually free our minds and bodies from tension, and enhance our ability to accumulate, retain and direct prana (or ki) throughout our bodies. Learning to coordinate breath with movement is what the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, called ‘kokyu-ryoku’ (literally meaning “breath power”). He demonstrated the physical power of ‘ki’ through his dynamic circular martial arts techniques, charged with a dynamic unification of mind, body and breath. In fact, Aikido's reputation as a sophisticated spiritual discipline is based on its emphasis on the development of the body's intrinsic internal energy system (known in Japan as "Ki"). This 'energy' or 'life-force' has been known to martial arts and yoga masters for centuries because it has the ability not only to enhance combat effectiveness, but also to promote health and vitality. In addition, on a more practical - day to day level, by optimizing human potential, it offers anybody dedicated enough to develop this ability with significant benefits that enhance very aspect of human performance - be it physical, emotional or spiritual. In Aikido-Yoga, 'ki' is initially understood by a practical understanding of how our body maintains optimum health and energy levels. The spiritual facet of ki is obtained from our connection with something greater than yourselves. The conceptualisation of this understanding outside of personal realisation is futile, however, in the context of Aikido-Yoga, breath and mind are utilized to accumulate, store and circulate prana or ki throughout the body for enhanced health as well as physical performance and power.
HISTORY of "Ki" Chinese philosophers, attempting to interpret this Indian concept of prana, defined it in many ways; including a metaphysical principle of duality that gives life, form, and structure to the universe (ie. the concept of yin and yang by the Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu). The Chinese called their concept of prana 'Chi' . Acupuncture is also based on the fact that your health is dependent on the free flow of Prana or Chi throughout your body. The introduction of the concept of Chi from China into Japan saw the most dramatic changes in interpretation. Calling it 'Ki', they translated it to mean several things, including power (I-ki), vigor (gen-ki), bravery (yu-ki), and breath control (ki-soku). The concept of 'prana', 'chi' or 'ki' therefore has a physical facet, as in breath, optimum health and energy levels. It also has an emotional facet, as in state-of-mind. However, the single thread of spiritual understanding passed down from India to China and then to Japan, was that this metaphysical concept of prana (subsequently renamed and re-interpreted by China as chi and Japan as ki) closely relates the life-force within each person to a universal life-force present in all of nature.
"Ki" and Spirituality Based on how our five senses perceive our universe, it is easy to feel that we are all completely separate individuals. But science is now also affirming what the yoga sages have been telling us for thousands of years:- that Prana - the "life-force" of the universe, is the foundation that underpins all existence. Imperceptible though it may seem to the gross physical senses, it is the very fabric of existence. It is impossible to exist separate and apart from the source of all creation. Julius Aib,
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