What is an aiki taiso? An aiki taiso is an exercise that you do by yourself that is directly related to Aikido techniques. We do aiki taiso for several reasons and I think it’s important that you know why.

First, the motions involved in doing the aiki taiso makes the Aikido techniques a little easier because you know how your body is supposed to move when doing that technique. Second, when you are practicing the aiki taiso correctly and in the right frame of mind, you are practicing extending your energy throughout your entire body. This makes your ki flow and you and your uke (partner) will feel the difference.

I present you a challenge. Practice your aiki taiso at home. Even if it’s just one aiki taiso that you remember, practice that one with a focused mind slowly and with intensity. This means that you think about the movement as you do it, slowly and methodically. Picture your ki (energy) flowing through your body as you do the exercise and feel the difference.

I say this is a challenge, because you have to make yourself think while you do the aiki taiso. You can make your body go through the motions, but to gain the benefits you have to engage your mind. This is not easy. It takes real focus and you have to decide to do it. That’s why it’s a challenge. I can’t make you do it, but if you want to improve you should make yourself do it.

The two aiki taiso that we do most often in the kids’ classes are udefuri chayoko undo, the spinning exercise and tenkan undo, the handshake exercise. Practice these slowly like in slow motion thinking about your ki flowing through your arms, legs and body. I visualize my ki as water so when I do these water is spraying out of my hands as I go through the motions. What does your ki look like? Imagine it flowing throughout your body as you do the exercise. Your muscles will naturally contract when you do aiki taiso this way and your muscles will tire a bit, but eventually you will do it naturally and you won’t muscles won‘t be as involved.

I hope you take the challenge. Practice a different aiki taiso each day. You only need to practice a few minutes at a time especially if you are focused and do them slowly. If you need to see other aiki taiso besides the ones I mentioned above I’d be happy to show you. All you have to do is ask.

I wish you well as you challenge yourself!

Teresa Mastison Sensei