If you differ, then you might charitably contemplate on how we all only do our best with what we think (or more importantly, feel) at that time on our journey.
I have read somewhere that Ki is not necessarily the same as the chi as in tai chi, but for our purpose here it will be, because the so called internal or soft arts have similar principles.
Perhaps you might consider this:- Aikido at its heart is not the manipulation of the physical but victory over self in purposely avoiding the physical.
If you can feel your own power ... so can the enemy. Your true power, great that it is, emanates from the use of your mind. Expanding ki requires relaxation ... if there is no relaxation of the big active muscles, then the attacker feels the attack in a way that they can counter (if allowed to by set dojo or style rules).
In extending ki it is important to engage all directions, and not just in one or two as you might feel in the exercise we call ‘unbendable arm’, only then is the body unified and has optimum power. However, this power comes from the muscles joining in willingly with your intention and ‘interest’, and not being coerced into working in a solely physical manner. Done correctly, you won’t feel them working but will realise their effect.
Respect the energy of the attacker, harmonise, reduce your own tensions in order to extend ki. Relaxed, but extending your spirit energy outwards, you generate power but retain the opportunity of speed and sensitivity.
Any exercises carried out for aikido practise should engage consciousness, or you miss an opportunity to develop the mind / body connection. O-Sensei’s aikido was born of more than technical structures, postures and manipulations.
Even at home, perhaps reading this, a beginning exercise might be to sit in chair and explore the space around you – with your mind. Be centred and relax outwards, put no limit on how far you believe you can reach with your mind .... be balanced, all directions, always. Do not be afraid of using your imagination.
Be sensitive ... attitudes like caring, or ‘universal love’, allow this to manifest your power and an unseen subtle influence to neutralise an attack ... wanting to defeat the other is counter to the spirit of aikido ... it’s why the art is so difficult.
Many will discard this advice, some because they don’t quite understand, some because they don’t want to. Perhaps some though, have already moved beyond this level.
If your mindset is to conflict with others and believe that you can beat your attacker ... you have already thrown away your sensitivity to change, and it is unlikely you will find the magical takemusu moment ... something that appears without plan or intention, out of nowhere ... but only if you are aware.
It’s hard to find something if you don’t look for it . . . unless of course you are exceptionally gifted with luck.
‘You are the map maker of our own life. You are our own destiny’.