Extending Ki
This is something that needs creating by your mind, though a physical manifestation may be experienced as a result. It does not work the other way by physically extending your limbs.
Though repeating physical moves many, many times does have benefits, what they call muscle memory can be explained away by the brain having controlled the specific muscle use so often that it has become super-efficient at doing so. Muscle memory is therefore a result of increased brain efficiency in controlling body movement.
There are also exercises you can try that provide a sense of effortless power. An example, if we extend one arm out to the side and forward of our body. Then, first, we extend the shoulder … but imagine something is pulling it back. This creates an opposite and leaves a space in between. Keeping that feeling, open the elbow in the same manner and then finally your wrist joint. Your arm should feel comfortably extended and holding position without tiring or effort.
Be aware that applying tension in your own body transmits your intention to another. Tell them nothing – not even by intention.
This is not the same as extending ki.
(Perhaps excepting for that tiny expansion in joints in the earlier exercise which will be driven by ki and intention.)
To extend ki, in my opinion, it requires your mind to be active, to be interested, or even fascinated by what is beyond your body. If you like, to expand your aura, your energy field. This can be directional but always have in mind the need for an opposite to retain balance and centre. This too carries a physical feeling within.
Remember, the more you practise, the more your brain and body unify to become more efficient and more effective.
Consider, if your mind, or spirit if you wish, can influence your own body then why can’t it influence another person’s mind or spirit . . . and it can !
It is easy to demonstrate this at a simple level – anyone can do it … anyone.
Controlling another’s spirit, or interfering with their mind, will have a physical effect on their body and it will be possible to exert an influence over their movements.
So it is, that extending ki can be instrumental in the act of aiki (harmony of spirit) and lead to successful application of technique in aikido.
The only problem with this is that it is difficult to overcome natural reactions … the sort we engage in every day. They outweigh the occasional exercise once a week at class.
The ‘do’ of ‘aiki’ is a long journey. But it does exist if you want to look for it. I may have understood but am far from achieving it.
As always, it boils down to what you think.
This is something that needs creating by your mind, though a physical manifestation may be experienced as a result. It does not work the other way by physically extending your limbs.
Though repeating physical moves many, many times does have benefits, what they call muscle memory can be explained away by the brain having controlled the specific muscle use so often that it has become super-efficient at doing so. Muscle memory is therefore a result of increased brain efficiency in controlling body movement.
There are also exercises you can try that provide a sense of effortless power. An example, if we extend one arm out to the side and forward of our body. Then, first, we extend the shoulder … but imagine something is pulling it back. This creates an opposite and leaves a space in between. Keeping that feeling, open the elbow in the same manner and then finally your wrist joint. Your arm should feel comfortably extended and holding position without tiring or effort.
Be aware that applying tension in your own body transmits your intention to another. Tell them nothing – not even by intention.
This is not the same as extending ki.
(Perhaps excepting for that tiny expansion in joints in the earlier exercise which will be driven by ki and intention.)
To extend ki, in my opinion, it requires your mind to be active, to be interested, or even fascinated by what is beyond your body. If you like, to expand your aura, your energy field. This can be directional but always have in mind the need for an opposite to retain balance and centre. This too carries a physical feeling within.
Remember, the more you practise, the more your brain and body unify to become more efficient and more effective.
Consider, if your mind, or spirit if you wish, can influence your own body then why can’t it influence another person’s mind or spirit . . . and it can !
It is easy to demonstrate this at a simple level – anyone can do it … anyone.
Controlling another’s spirit, or interfering with their mind, will have a physical effect on their body and it will be possible to exert an influence over their movements.
So it is, that extending ki can be instrumental in the act of aiki (harmony of spirit) and lead to successful application of technique in aikido.
The only problem with this is that it is difficult to overcome natural reactions … the sort we engage in every day. They outweigh the occasional exercise once a week at class.
The ‘do’ of ‘aiki’ is a long journey. But it does exist if you want to look for it. I may have understood but am far from achieving it.
As always, it boils down to what you think.