Cardiff Ki Aikido
Benefits
Discover the benefits of Cardiff Ki Aikido, from relaxation and improved strength to better coordination, focus and attention. Enjoy a welcoming social environment while developing practical self-defence skills and greater confidence, both on and off the mat.
Relaxation
Each class begins with tests of posture and relaxation. Adult classes also include slow deep breathing exercises.
Social
With new friends, techniques emulate relationship challenges and their harmonious resolution.
Strength
We learn the strength in relaxation, whilst many techniques include squatting, lunging or kneeling for stronger legs.
Coordination
Improved balance, dexterity and coordination comes from repeating techniques with each side of the body.
Attention
Constant concentration is needed to perform techniques in a flowing harmonious way with a partner.
Self Defense
We aim to avoid or minimise injury. It is not a Martial Art since there is a duty of care for the attacker.
Relaxation
By stepping onto a large shared mat with bare feet, the space becomes a place of escape from daily concerns.
This will be a ‘level playing field’ where there will be no pressure to demonstrate skills or knowledge.
A gentle press or pull according to Tohei Sensei’s Rules for Coordination Mind and Body will reveal tension of the mind and body.
The Teacher will suggest which of the four rules is not being followed. This will draw the students attention to their own tension or poor posture – often unnoticed for a long time and to be ‘normal’. Changing the body and mind for this with successful re-test then helps the student to remain more relaxed and confident in daily life.
Strength
Strength, and upper body strength in particular, in Aikido techniques is pointless and, against a high grade practitioner, futile. The main power in Aikido derives from the legs and channelled through the centre.
Extending the mind can make an arm unbendable, whole and parts of bodies seem incredibly heavy, and postures strangely immovable.
In sports, when you need tension to strike a ball or deal with being tackled, the strength will come from marshalling all your body’s muscles together.
Coordination
Balance, dexterity and coordination can of course be developed through practicing many different sports.
A great tennis player for example, will be applying the coordination principles to a high degree.
The difference with Aikido is in the mindful application of these principles in communication and relationships as well as in sports, in avoiding serious injury in accidents and situations warranting real self defence.
Less fit non-sport driven students will benefit just as well.
Heavy or awkwardly large items need moving with high levels of coordination to avoid injury.
Attention
We aim to practice techniques without dissention so that they flow in spiral and circular movements.
This requires both partners to sustain a coordinated mind and body and therefore a kind of attention that simultaneously keeps in mind all the phases of the exercise, the overall technique whilst being sensitive to small mindful adjustments that keep the partner unbalanced with a feeling that they will be safely taken to lying the mat.
When done well, the experience seems magical, effortless and undefinable.
The sustained concentration needed is good training for longer attention spans needed for work or study.
One exercise done regularly is to concentrate attention in one direction by reaching forwards with the arms.
The coordination is checked before turning to apply the same intense outward feeling to a different direction.
Eight directions are tried in all. The exercise simulates having to perform a number of daily tasks with each getting the full attention it deserves.
Practising fully focused control of the body in this way strengthens the will through intent. In daily life students will make their intentions clear and have the will to follow through a task.
Self Defense
Aikido training teaches one to contain impulsive reactions to provocations.
Typically the Limbic system will cause a reaction to freeze, fight or flee, and this happens in conversation and well as physical actions. The reaction is rarely appropriate and the response often disproportionate.
Aikido training gives more mindful measured responses. [Principles of Aikido]
A highly ethical response develops which diffuses an attack through compassion and beneficent intention. Ultimately, an attacker would see no gain or advantage in proceeding.
The founder advocates Aikido as the way of living in harmony with everything. It is an embodiment of selfless love.
Find Cardiff Ki Aikido
Join us at the Community Hall, Heath Citizens Association, 175 Heath Park Ave, King George V Dr E, Cardiff, and discover the benefits of Shin Shin Aikido in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Beginners and experienced practitioners are all welcome.
Find your nearest class and take your first step into Aikido — your first session is free.
Social
This practice fosters better understanding, respect, compassion, reconciliation and ultimately cooperation with others in daily life.
The encouraged relaxed flow in techniques only comes from sustaining the Rules for Coordination Mind and Body. It is much easier to be relaxed when not moving. In daily life the mind and body are almost constantly reacting to both people and objects.
People can be challenging.
They often do not have the same level of patience that comes from Aikido training to consider criticism with humility, and change one’s own behaviour if needed.
Aikido helps the recognition of egotistical, sexist or racist behaviour in others and oneself.
Objects too deserve respect.
In sports, when you need tension to strike a ball or deal with being tackled, the tension will come from marshalling all your body’s muscles together.