Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido & Shin Shin Toitsu Do

Rocky Mountain Ki Society

Student Handbook History Of Shin Shin Toitso Aikido
The Founding of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and Rocky Mountain Ki Society

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that is a synthesis of the best of a number of arts practiced by its founder Morihei Ueshiba (1896-1969), better known as O'Sensei (great teacher). Aikido was known by several different names prior to WWII but after WWII, O'Sensei renamed the art "Aikido". "Ai" means harmony, "Ki" roughly translates as universal energy or life force and "Do" translates as way or practice. So Aikido is the way to harmony with universal energy. Aikido was first introduced to the United States in Hawaii by Koichi Tohei Sensei in 1953 and has grown ever since. Today there are many styles of Aikido and the one we practice is Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido or Aikido with mind and body unified. In 1974, Tohei Sensei established Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido. What differentiates Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (also known as Ki-Aikido) from other styles or schools of Aikido is its emphasis on Ki development. Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido is actually a subset of a larger organization: Ki Society International. Ki Society was founded by Tohei Sensei in 1971 to teach Ki principles. Within Ki Society, aikido was added as one of many practices used to attain mind and body unification.

Rocky Mountain Ki Society was founded in 1977 by Koichi Kashiwaya Sensei in Boulder, Colorado and is a part of Midland Ki Federation (comprised of Ki Society dojos mainly in the Midwest, but also including Brasil, and Seattle). Kashiwaya Sensei was uchi deshi (inner disciple) to Tohei Sensei in the early 1970s and is now ambassador of Ki Society USA. Kashiwaya Sensei is currently 8th Dan (degree of black belt) and Okuden (Ki rank) in Ki development and lives in Seattle. He usually comes to Colorado twice a year to do seminars with RMKS. Russell Jones Sensei, currently 5th Dan and Joden in Ki development, began practice in 1977 in Boulder and was uchi deshi for Kashiwaya Sensei for approximately 5 years. Jones Sensei founded the Denver dojo (training hall) in 1981 and led RMKS until 1998. He now resides in Brasil, but still makes it back occasionally to teach seminars. RMKS, from its start in Boulder, now also consists of dojos in the Denver metro area, Boulder, and Fort Collins (at CSU). Our Fort Collins/CSU dojo is lead by Russell Smith Sensei, currently 3rd Dan and Chuden in Ki development. Susan Chandler, also 3rd Dan and Chuden in ki development, leads the South Denver dojo. Abel Villacorta, 3rd Dan, heads up the Boulder dojo and Kevin Eva, 3rd Dan, the Westminster dojo. Rocky Mountain Ki Society has many other highly qualified instructors who teach on a regular basis. We also have, in addition to Kashiwaya Sensei and Jones Sensei, other visiting Ki Society instructors who do seminars with RMKS. Any member current on their dues is welcome to practice at any of our dojos.

Aikido is a gentle martial art that uses no kicks, punches or blocks against an attacker. Instead Ki-Aikido focuses on the use of the momentum provided by another person to throw or pin them. It can be referred to as a non-aggressive art focused on defusing the situation and causing no harm to anyone in the process. Any pain inflicted by Aikido is brief and temporary and is used only to keep an aggressor under control. The movements of Aikido are circular and flowing and when performed by an advanced practitioner can appear to be dance like. However, within the beauty of the Ki-Aikido movements is a powerful and effective martial art.

Ki is a central topic in Aikido and other martial arts. However the English language lacks a similar expression and the meaning of Ki is difficult to define. Ki can be loosely translated to mean spirit or energy with its very essence being centered on mental and physical discipline and mind and body unification. The use of Ki is not unique to Aikido but Ki is given special emphasis in Aikido compared to other martial arts. "The very name Aikido indicates its dependence on the laws of nature which we term Ki. Aikido means the way to harmony with Ki. That is to say Aikido is a discipline to make the heart of nature our own heart..." Koichi Tohei Sensei.

With aikido training, we also train in Ki or mind and body unification. Ki training is done through a variety of exercises that can be directly applied to Aikido and everyday life, and also includes important training in meditation and breathing techniques. In addition to ranks in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, there are also specific Ki ranks one must first pass before they are eligible to test for their Ki-Aikido rank.

The following are guidelines used to preserve safety and encourage an atmosphere of respect and gratitude. Tohei Sensei once said, "Budo begins and ends with courtesy, itself an attitude of thankfulness to and reverence for nature. To be mistaken on this basic point is to make the martial arts no more than weapons of injury and death." To preserve this focus RMKS has adopted the following guidelines of etiquette and attitude:

1. Bowing is central to much of the dojo etiquette. Bowing is not a form of worship in the dojo, but is a Japanese custom used to show respect, humility, and gratitude while focusing our Ki. Bowing is performed at the following times during practice:
   • When you enter or leave the dojo-in the direction of the shomen.
   • Before you step onto or off of the mat-in the direction of the shomen.
   • When the Sensei bows at the beginning and end of class.
   • When the Sensei is finished giving instruction and asks you to practice.
   • Before and after practicing a technique or exercise with a partner.
   • After you receive help from the Sensei.
   • When you are asked to help demonstrate and after the demonstration.
   • Before and after the reading of Shokushu
2. Shoes are not to be worn on the mat at any time. Socks should also be removed. Practitioners can store their shoes in the shoe carrels beneath the benches or in the dressing rooms.
3. Jewelry of any kind must be removed prior to stepping onto the mat. Jewelry may be damaged in practice or may cause injury to others. No food or drink are allowed on the mat (this includes gum) and no drinking or eating should take place during class.
4. Please try to arrive early for practice. Try to be seated properly before the instructor steps onto the mat. If you arrive late please sit in seiza at the edge of the mat and wait for the Sensei to acknowledge you before you enter the mat. Pay close attention to the Sensei, the acknowledgement may be only a small hand gesture. This is for safety reasons and out of respect for the other students. If you must cross the mat to enter or leave during practice always go behind the other students. Please tell the Sensei before leaving the mat for any reason.
5. Always refer to the instructor (regardless of rank) as Sensei in the dojo.
6. The hakama of a Sensei should never be folded by the Sensei. If you wish to fold the Sensei's hakama ask politely after class. The proper way to ask for the privilege is to bow to the Sensei and say "Hakama o tatami shimasu ka (ha-ka-ma oh ta-ta-me she-mass caw)". Please sit seiza to the side of the Sensei and wait for them to hand the hakama to you. Thank the Sensei, "Arigato Gozaimashita", and fold the hakama. Give the hakama back to the Sensei by bowing and handing it open side facing the Sensei. If you do not know how to fold the hakama please ask a senior student to teach you. Folding the hakama is an expression of your Ki and sincerity so please learn to fold it well.
7. Do not talk while the Sensei is teaching. Sit either in Seiza or Zazen (cross legged) and have an attentive posture. Try to not let your mind wander and extend Ki while watching and listening.
8. The Sensei will indicate when you should return to a seated position by clapping their hands or asking you to stop. You should stop as quickly as possible, bow to your partner and sit attentively.
9. Try to do exactly what the Sensei has demonstrated. Clarifying and helping each other is fine but leave instruction to the Sensei.
10. Please come to the dojo with an open and positive mind. Our purpose in training is to develop positive Ki and a positive attitude. Please leave all negative thoughts and Ki outside the dojo.
11. Please do not criticize other teachers or other martial arts. All martial arts have something positive to contribute and should be given proper respect.
12. Never engage in competition at the dojo. Aikido is a martial art, not a sport.
13. Respect each partner, and his/her level of development. Do not throw anyone harder than they can fall and do not attack any faster than you feel capable of falling. We all want to practice together for a long time.
14. Please keep your gi and body clean. A clean body and clean gi will make practice much more pleasant for everyone.
15. Cleaning the dojo is everyone's responsibility. If you wish to help or see something that should be done don't hesitate to do it. If you want to help but are unsure what to do, please ask a senior student. At the very least, the mat should be swept after every class and the sweeping should be done in a direction away from the shomen. If you are unsure how to do the sweeping, please follow the lead of the senior students. Cleaning gives us all an opportunity to put a bit of our own Ki into the dojo!
16. Always treat visitors with respect and Sempai (student or teacher who began training before you did) should be ready to welcome visitors and answer their questions. Visitors are always welcome to observe or participate in a basic or Ki class, but they must first fill out a waiver form before participating. A signature is required on the back and if the participant is under the age of 18 they must have it signed by a parent or guardian.

Principles For Training

Let us have a universal spirit that loves and protects all creation and helps all things to grow and develop. To unify mind and body and become one with the universe is the ultimate purpose of my study.

1. Keep one point
2. Keep weight underside
3. Relax completely
4. Extend Ki

1. Have a mind like a mirror
2. Persevere
3. Practice in daily life
4. Change the subconscious mind
5. Teach what you have learned

1. Extend Ki
2. Know your opponent's mind
3. Respect your opponent's Ki
4. Put yourself in the opponent's place
5. Perform with confidence