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
(Cue “Mission Impossible” them music)
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to practice using your peripheral vision, act on any information you gather from your eyes, ears, nose or sense of ki, and to be persistent in discovering the source.
So, what does this mean? It means as you go about your daily business pay attention to what you see, hear, smell and sense. If you see something move out of the corner of your eye (peripheral vision) turn to see what it is. If you hear something, find the source of what is making the noise. If you smell something that you don’t recognize search for what is creating it. If you sense something out of the ordinary don’t dismiss it, find out what is causing it and don‘t stop until you discover what it is. If you can’t determine the source just by looking, tell an adult and let them help you. By paying attention and locating the sources of what you see, hear, smell or sense it gives you the advantage of extra time. For example, you’re walking down your neighborhood street when you hear a dog barking wildly. You turn to see where the dog is and notice that he is behind a fence, but jumping up and down aggressively and getting close to jumping over the fence. Because you noticed this you increase your speed in order to get home before the dog gets over the fence. Had you not noticed the dog’s aggressive behavior and how close he was to jumping the fence, you may not have walked any faster. This could have been quite a surprise if the dog got over the fence and came after you. This is just a made up example, but I hope you can see the usefulness of paying attention. What kind of examples can you come up with, real or made up, where paying attention to your surroundings would give you extra time to react and/or avoid a dangerous situation?
Now, here’s an important point for all kids concerning finding the source of what you see, hear, smell or sense. DO NOT GO LOOKING FOR THE SOURCE BY YOURSELF! If you notice something out of the ordinary you might be able to just turn your head and see what it is, but if you can’t identify it immediately tell an adult and let them locate the source. This is especially true if the noise, smell or whatever is outside or in another part of the house. You can be an invaluable help in alerting your parents when you notice something that is not normal. Don’t dismiss those “weird” feelings. Be persistent (don’t give up) in identifying the source or having someone else find the source. Even if it turns out to be nothing, you have to practice paying attention to your senses and it is ALWAYS better to be safe rather than sorry.
Now, go about your business and pay attention!
Teresa Mastison Sensei
Here’s a fun and interesting way to practice Aikido outside the dojo. Paying attention to what’s around you can help keep you safe, but it can also help you find your car. The next time you go to the store with your parents take notice of where they park the car. You can do this with or without your parents’ knowledge (if you do this without them knowing and they need help finding the car you’ll come across as if you possess superpowers:). Look for landmarks to help you remember where the car is. Remember not to choose other cars as a landmark because they may move and not be there when you return. Good landmarks would be trees, light poles, signs on poles, where you parked compared to the store’s entrance or anything else that doesn’t move. Then, when you come out of the store be the first one to find the car… or be there ready to come to the rescue if your mom or dad need help finding the car. One more thing about parking lots. As you are walking in a parking lot watch the taillights of parked cars. If you see white lights that means the car is in reverse and may be moving backwards. Keep an eye on the driver and be prepared to stop as they may not see you.
This will sound silly, but have fun in the parking lots! Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention.
Teresa Mastison Sensei
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