Take a look at this Aikido clip below. It is a demo by Kanshu Sunadomari Shihan. Such splendid timing and readiness of ki. I’ve seen it when I was young during the demo of undisclosed Silat Batin, then the powers of qi by Qi Gong masters, Tibet masters and the masters of Systema from Russia. Is it merely magical or a knowledge in physics we do not possess?
Looks like the opponent is faking it? Read on based on my experience.
Layman terms: ‘Ai’ means love. ‘Ki’ means internal energy /spirit / love. ‘Do’ means way.
Then what makes this art so special? Is it the gracefulness of O~Sensei or the lightning fast techniques of Steven Seagal? Or is it the solidness of Christian Tissier Shihan?
I have no idea, but to grasp the spirit of Aiki is not easy. When I first started Aikido back then when I was 13, I was puzzled nor interested with Aikido yet my father insisted. But then I became an addict when I was 14.
Yet at such a young age I see Aikido not more than just a fighting technique. I knew how to make my shoulders limb and brought strong opponents down but I was missing something. My ikkyo / ikkajo was hard. It did not share the rythm or my partner nor blend in with my spirit. It was downright force.
Then it changed when I conducted experiments with my friend, Naim (1st Dan as of July 2008). We noticed timing, centeredness and blending with the opponent’s force and extension of gravity deeply changed our ikkyo. It was downright without resistance.
Oh dear, almost 10 years into Aikido and as I climb the ladder, so many things I do not know!
I was a non believer of ki. But when we did it right with timing and etc., effortless was inevitable. For now I know Aikido is not just an art, it’s life itself. I may not now what ‘ki’ is nor could teach anyone of it. But I seek refuge from Allah s.w.t., for it is true we are bestowed with the power of mind, unexplainable from just our current knowledge.
So what am I missing? I have no idea, but my feelings tell me Aikido will always be one with me till death comes to pass.
Sabrie Salleh 