Kai Shin Kai - America
Philosophical Tenants
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Kai Shin Kai - America Philosophical Tenants |
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Aikido is a martial art. This means that it is the study of inflicting mortal injury to an opponent. In the early days O’Sensei’s taught Aiki-Jujitsu with a "one touch, one kill," philosophy, and he trained vigorously and hard. Time and circumstance mellowed his instruction and his philosophy and teaching became softer, but the techniques remained basically the same. Within each Aikido technique remains the potential to kill or maim an opponent and Aikido should be afforded all of the respect due to a loaded handgun or any other lethal instrument. Irreverent or ill-considered use of Aikido can result in severe injury to untrained people and beginning students. Each student is unique. Each person who comes to Aikido does so for different reasons. Each person brings with them to their study of Aikido unique interests, history, ambitions, hopes and fears. Each person is different in many ways, different in size, height, weight and shape; different in attitude, demeanor, hopes, aspirations, fears; and different in the way they meet life’s situations, aggressively, passively, cautiously, resolutely, pragmatically. Some students strive for perfection in everything they do, others merely want to be able to effectively defend themselves, and others want to preserve an art form that they find interesting. Some students want only to learn the physical techniques that will enable them to defend themselves, other students seek a way to constructively maintain physical fitness, and some seek to develop Ki or increase their spiritual development. These unique differences and many others factors will contribute to the Aikido that will eventually be developed by each student. Kai Shin Kai America instructors are dedicated to teaching the basic principals and techniques of Aikido to each student, and then helping each individual find his or her own way, to develop his or her own unique and specialized form of Aikido. When a student achieves a Dan grade, or black belt, they began acting as instructors. As they continue to practice they achieve higher and higher Dan grade levels and assume more responsibility for instructing other students. But it important to understand that a Dan grade or black belt really signifies a student has mastered the basics of Aikido or another art and has reached a level of training that allows them to truly begin to study Aikido. The higher the grade, the more difficult the lessons. In Kai Shin Kai America everyone on the mat is considered a student, some know more than others and therefore bear more responsibility teach those around them, but no one is considered to know so much that they are "Instructors." The title "Sensei" indicates that a person is willing to organize and maintain facilities and lead a class, or to accept other responsibilities within the organization. Out of respect for this commitment and self-sacrifice and because the person doing this accepts the responsibility for the well being of the entire class, the "Sensei" is always the ranking person on the mat. The study of Aikido contains two basic components, applying techniques, and receiving Ukemi. Applying any technique first involves getting out to the way of an attack, either by entering into it or sidestepping it. This is followed by an Atemi or strike, which distracts and weakens the attacker, after which a technique is applied either throwing the attacker away of pinning him to the ground. To work well techniques involve a lot of subtle movements, which must be practiced repeatedly to become effective. In order to practice techniques a partner is required who is willing and able to receive the technique safely. This art is called Ukemi. Ukemi involves allowing the person doing the technique to practice vigorously, while preventing injury to yourself. |