Self defence
Ki Meditation
Expand your awareness, find your centre, and experience a sense of harmony with the universe.
Practising Ki Meditation
Begin by kneeling or sitting comfortably. Allow your posture to settle naturally, keeping your body relaxed and your attention calm.
Ki Meditation invites you to explore the relationship between your One Point — the centre of balance in Ki Aikido — and the world around you. The practice moves between Expansion and Contraction, helping you develop awareness, stillness and a sense of connection.
Expansion
Focus on your One Point — the centre of balance in Ki Aikido. Gradually expand your awareness to include your whole body, your surroundings, the Earth, the solar system, the Milky Way and the countless galaxies extending in every direction.
Contraction
Bring your awareness back from the distant stars towards your One Point. Imagine neutrinos travelling from across the universe, passing harmlessly through you and gathering your attention at your centre. Rest there for a while, calm and relaxed.
Tohei Sensei’s Guiding Steps
– Maintain a posture of holding.
– Maintain a posture of letting go.
– Maintain a posture of harmony.
– Maintain a posture in which you can feel the creation of the universe.
– Maintain a posture in which you can feel the movement of the Ki of the universe.
In Japanese, Seishi means a state of being, including both your physical posture and your attitude.
These guiding steps are from a translation by Christopher Curtis Sensei.
Practice With Awareness
Allow your attention to move gently between the vastness of the universe and the calmness of your One Point. There is no need to force anything — simply relax, remain centred and enjoy the practice.