"Kokyu"
 

So, what's your definition of "kokyu" as used in aikido?

-- Jun

Sounds like a trick question Mr. Akiyama!

How 'bout a 4th pillar?

:)

What? Me, tricky? You must have me confused with someone else...

Barring the linguistic aspect of this question, does anyone have any descriptions of how they use "kokyu" (physical or otherwise) in their aikido training?

-- Jun

I started playing with KIAI a while back in order to shake beginners out of complacency during RANDORI. The teacher where I'm training frowns on KIAI ("Jesus, Don, you scared the **** out of me!") so out of consideration, I do voiceless KIAI now, a kind of Goju Karate-style fierce breathing, if you will. I find that it sinks me deeper into the ground upon throws, upsets UKE-they often KIAI themselves upon flying-and causes people nearby to start. It also makes me feel invincible, all these results being in the nature of discoveries rather than intentions.