Best books for Ki developing, meditation, breathing and exercises?

Hi,

Im wondering what are the best books for developing ki, explaining and showing exercises, breathing methods and meditation? and explaining what it is for.

How would these books compare to:

Ki in Daily Life
Kiatsu
Book of Ki

by Koichi Tohei

Also, I know this is a silly question but, what are the differences between the breathing exercises and meditations for aikido/ki and zen?
I know Zen isnt for developing ki, but ive seen some breathing exercises that look similar.

Thank you

p.s if this is posted in the wrong place, sorry.

Kourosh Ward wrote: Im wondering what are the best books for developing ki, explaining and showing exercises, breathing methods and meditation? and explaining what it is for. How would these books compare to: Ki in Daily Life Kiatsu Book of Ki by Koichi Tohei Also, I know this is a silly question but, what are the differences between the breathing exercises and meditations for aikido/ki and zen?

I doubt that it's the best book on the subject, but I wrote one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419627724/

It's a manual with very basic exercises for how to start one's ki flow, and get it going - not only for aikido practitioners.

Koichi Tohei's books are excellent and very trustworthy, so don't expect to find books that surpass them. But it's always good to get different points of view.
For the very source of it all, check the Yellow Emperor, the Chinese classic that most health and energy traditions of the East are based on.

There are many different methods of meditation. Aikido students usually meditate quite zen-like, when they do it at all. Then there are all kinds of Indian ways, et cetera, et cetera.

As for breathing exercises, they are traditionally focused on the ki flow, whether they are aikido, zen, or Indian (where ki is called prana).

When you dig deep into a life energy tradition - wherever it originates - it tends to be very complex and particular. But the basics of it has many similarities in most traditions.

You can use whatever method, but be persistent and patient. Breathing takes time to reform, and more time to transform.

Thank you Stefan. Very kind of you.

Your book is on amazon.co.uk, and in my card so when I buy the books Im going to buy, it will be in my list.

So far I have the Koichi Tohei books, your book, Yellow Emperor.
Any other books to recommend on the zen like meditation?

Thanks again

p.s Also, im looking for more books that forcus on ki exercises and so, other then Koichi Tohei that are recommended.

Try these:

Ki: A Practical Guide for Westerners (Reed)

Ki and the Way of the Martial Arts (Tokitsu)

Ki in Aikido (Shifflett)

The Body, Self-Cultivation and Ki Energy (Yuasa, Nagatomo, Hull)

Aura, Ki and Healing (Sugiyama)

The Book of Ki: Practical Guide to the Healing Principles of Life Energy (Fromm)

Aikido with Ki (Maruyama)

Ki Power (Blum)

That will get you started. By the time you finish that list, you will probably be ready to write your own book...

Thanks. Ill have a look at those and choose which ones to buy

Kourosh,
Tohei sensei's books will definitely explain the difference between ki meditation and ki breathing. But the short is: both types of meditation will help you relax, maintain focus and coordination on mind and body. When breathing is added, you get other health benefits with the meditation. Once you've read the books and have questions, if possible, get an intro to ki aikido from a qualified sensei so you can test the theory. Just my 2cents.

Thanks.

Thats what I wanted to know, if it explains the difference and that I could tell
Looking forward to getting the books.

Regarding the link between Zen and aikido (and other budo), I just have to mention the prominent Zen monk Taisen Deshimaru, and his book The Zen Way to Martial Arts:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140193448/

He was a very impressive and fascinating man. I know a handful of great anecdotes about him, but suffice to say that he's worth studying.

Thank you Stefan. Was away so couldnt use the net.

Ill check the book out in more detgail now.

Kourosh Ward wrote: Hi, Im wondering what are the best books for developing ki, explaining and showing exercises, breathing methods and meditation? and explaining what it is for. How would these books compare to: Ki in Daily Life Kiatsu Book of Ki by Koichi Tohei Also, I know this is a silly question but, what are the differences between the breathing exercises and meditations for aikido/ki and zen? I know Zen isnt for developing ki, but ive seen some breathing exercises that look similar. Thank you p.s if this is posted in the wrong place, sorry.

While books and videos (you tube) might seem like a good source for this sort of thing, they really should be looked at as more peripheral information rather than a starting point on which to base one's practice. The most important thing is to get grounded in a practical training method where both what you are doing and what you are trying to achieve are clearly defined. The best hope for this is to find a teacher that provides instruction in these things outside of their Aikido (or other) curriculum. Stick with basics for 10 years and then branch out into your own exploration, returning to the basics as you had learned them to glean information you may have missed the first time around.

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