KI in Aikido

by C.M. Shifflett

Book Overview

The concepts of "Ki" as taught in Ki Society Aikido schools is not easy for westerners to comprehend. Outside of the writings of the founder, Koichi Tohei Sensei, it is hard to find an available or... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965342530
• ISBN13: 9780965342537
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: Frog in Well
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

An outstanding guide to Ki development

The concepts of "Ki" as taught in Ki Society Aikido schools is not easy for westerners to comprehend. I first started practicing it in 1990. Since then, outside of the writings of the founder, Koichi Tohei Sensei, I have not found a readily available and readable book that expliains Ki to westerners. Then came "Ki in Aikido: A Sampler of Ki Exercises" by C. M. Shifflett. In this easily manageable (size wise) book, Ms Shifflett gives a breif discription of Aikido and Ki then gets into the "meat of the matter". She explains Ki very clearly and gives lots of examples of how to incorporate it into your Aikido and your life. The art work is excellent and very aptly displays what is discribed. For my money, there is no better book for anyone: from the seasoned high ranking instructor to the novice to the curious onlooker. Anyone can get something from this book.

Marvelous, beautiful primer.

Most books on aikido suffer from some common flaws. They usually have a whole lot of small blurry photographs of techniques and a set of platitudes, with no way to relate them to either aikido practice or real life. This book has neither of those flaws.As a beginner in ki-aikido, now forced to be in a town without a ki society dojo, I use Ki in Aikido as a regular reference to when I want to practice the ki exercises, which are clearly and comprehensively explained.More importantly, she discusses the positive outlook necessary for success in aikido and in life. In a sense, it's both a primer on ki exercises and a self-help book for maintaining a "plus" attitude in life.Also extremely witty and enjoyable to read. If nothing else, get it for the beautiful drawings of real live aikido practitioners.The only danger with this book is that you may love it and become an evangelist and enthusiastically loan it to a friend, who will love it and never give it back. That would be bad.

A excellent primer of Ki Aikido principles

The true practical value of martial arts training is often not in the "martial" applications, but in skills, attitudes, and conflict resolution techniques that can be applied in more common daily interactions. Carol has done a wonderful job of distilling the principles of Ki Aikido into a book that is useful and accessable to the non-martial artist as well as to the dedicated "dojo bum".

Direct information for beginner and advanced students

I have been in the martial arts for over 43 years, and own and operate the Hombu martial arts Education Center in Lafayette, Indiana.I instruct the art of Aikido,and find this book of value for intructional information, assisting all instructors a guide, and a path to keep on track. It gives all readers an overall picture of how KI training is taught, and what is involved. The drawings are very good, and I feel a dedicatied student can get much value from such text. It is good of her to share her knowledge and experience. Keep up the good work.Respectfully,Dr. Thomas H.Burdine\PhD\M.A. Head of family Kokon Ryu Aikido, Bujutsu, Renmei

an invaluable primer for shin shin toitsu aikido students.

I had hesitated to review this for two reasons:First, while I have never met the author, based upon an ongoing e-mail correspondence, I very much consider her a friend.Second, my own practice of aikido is in a very different style (aikikai). It has occurred to me that this may actually be an advantage in judging the book: would a naive reader, upon opening and perusing this book, gain an understanding of the why and how of ki exercises? Definitely yes; the word "primer" would perhaps be even more apt than "sampler." Ms. Shifflett's breezy tone and relaxed line drawings (including, recognizably, George Simcox Sensei, as well as the author) invite the reader to explore; her very concise "how-to's" are liberally sprinkled with anecdotes that keep the book flowing, never bogging down in instructions.While this style happens not to be my cup of tea, this book has a place any well-rounded aikido library (my copy is staying put), and I strongly recommend this book to anybody who is beginning to practice shin shin toitsu style aikido or who may be curious about what it has to offer.