Self defence
Ki Breathing
“Imagine the rising and falling of a swelling sea.”
Enjoy the Air Within
Ki Breathing is a calming practice that encourages relaxation, awareness and coordination of mind and body.
Take a moment to pause and enjoy the feeling of breathing freely, without forcing or controlling each breath. Relax your jaw and shoulders, and check that your upper body weight is balanced over your One Point — the centre of balance in Ki Aikido.
Allow your breathing to become calm, natural and comfortable.
Breathing In
- Breathe gently through your nose, keeping your jaw relaxed and the back of your tongue soft.
- Imagine the sound “Ohh…” as you breathe in calmly.
- Visualise your breath carrying Ki over the top of your head and down your back, gathering around your One Point before filling your whole body.
- Remain relaxed and avoid holding your breath with tension.
Imagine the gentle rise of a swelling sea, allowing your breathing to flow naturally.
Breathing Out
- Breathe out gently through your open mouth, making a soft “Haaa…” sound.
- Allow tension to leave your body as you breathe out.
- Imagine the breath originating from your One Point, travelling up your back and releasing stale air from your whole body.
- Visualise directing your breath outwards into the infinite universe.
As your breath comes to an end, lean slightly forward and allow the out-breath to become gradually smaller and softer, diminishing gently until it fades away.
Practise With Calmness
The aim of Ki Breathing is to develop a relaxed, natural connection between mind and body. There is no need to force the breath or strive for a particular result.
Practise gently, remain comfortable and allow each breath to flow at its own pace. With regular practice, Ki Breathing can become a valuable part of your Ki Aikido training and a way to find calmness and focus in everyday life.