Ki in Aikido: A Sampler of Ki Exercises

by C.M. Shifflett

The concepts of "Ki" as taught in Ki Society Aikido schools is not easy for westerners to comprehend. Outside of the writings of the founder, Koichi Tohei Sensei, it is hard to find an available or readable book which explains Ki to westerners. This book presents step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations of ki exercises and testing technique. It teaches the internal secrets of Aikido and other martial arts; the relationship between mind and body, body and spirit; and a rationale for positive, creative living.

Genres: Martial Arts

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 1998

About the author

C. M. Shifflett is a non-fiction science and technology writer who has published on a variety of topics ranging from earth sciences and computer technology to martial arts
(Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training) and health (Migraine Brains and Bodies).

Reviews

[David]

The Force is strong with this one: I earned my shodan during three years training in Japan (my instructors were wonderful people), and have taught for three years also (receiving permission from World Aikido headquarters).

This is an excellent little book. It is pleasant both to look at and read, and covers a lot of information in a well-paced and thoughtful manner. The elegant presentation reminds me of books on Japanese flower arrranging.

It is also concise, delivering not only what I understand to be a near-complete rendition of the various ki techniques and their applications in a straightforward manner, but also including brief notes on the various influences of aikido on cinema (the seven samurai and Star Wars), apocryphal tales about the founder Ueshiba Morihei, etc.

I enjoyed reading this book and consider it, unlike several other books on the subject, both well worth the expense and a useful addition to one's aikido library.

[JP]

This was a an interesting and fun introduction. The exercises can be tried easily and he supplied just enough backrgound on the philosophy and anecdotes from their Virginia dojo.