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Old 10-01-2003, 05:23 PM   #9
kironin
 
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Dojo: Houston Ki Aikido
Location: Houston,TX
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Just thought I would point out the relevant one of Tohei Sensei's Ki principles. There is also a great emphasis on breathing practice in Tohei's aikido. I might add that Vladimir Vasilev was a great example of the importance of both breathing and relaxation in his Systema seminars at the recent Aiki Expo.

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Relax Completely

This is probably the most misunderstood of the four principles of mind and body unification. Complete relaxation in the sense in which it is applied in aikido is not the relaxation of a lump of jello, that of the "dead" relaxation or being limp. It is instead the sense of a body full of energy without tension.

Complete relaxation goes beyond simple muscular relaxation into mind/body relaxation. A calm mind naturally produces a calm body. Removing stress from the body greatly enhances freedom of movement, which is so necessary in aikido.

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