This is the Chinese symbol for Ki.

One is which shows the spirit.

The second is and represents the whole rice plant (roots, stem, and rice) before it is pulled from the ground; in it's natural form. It symbolizes the physical body.

“Ki as it relates to ”

“Ki” is a somewhat mystical force that is encountered in many forms of Chinese, Korean and including: Jujitsu, , some forms of , Some forms of Kung Fu, sword play, some forms of and Silat. In my system of Japanese Jujitsu, taught by O Sensei Matthew Cugola, Ki is one of our main principles. Ki can be likened to life force or energy. Ki is inside every atom. Ki can also be spelt ‘Chi’ or ‘’. The physical manifestation of Ki in our body is Adrenaline. Adrenaline is the hormone giving us that burst of energy enabling us to react faster and not to feel pain.

The majority of traditional martial arts systems have a spiritual aspect to them. Similar concepts of Ki can be found in many cultures, for example, Prana and Cit in Hindu Religion, Mana in Hawaiian culture, Rauh in Hebrew, Lung in Tibetan or “Vital Energy” in Western philosophy. In popular culture we also see the concept such as “The Force” in the Star Wars movie franchise.

Ki (or Qi as it is known in Chinese) is the central principle of and Traditional Chinese Medicine. They believe that Qi flows through the body and that illness can arise due to a blockage of the flow of Qi. Traditional medicine practitioners will often use Acupuncture, Herbs, Food therapy, Exercise and Martial Arts as a way of ‘unblocking’ the Qi. In Acupuncture they insert a needle into the bundle of nerves at a ‘pressure’ point. The needle causes minor pain that stimulates the release of oxytocin and other hormones that trigger pain relief and begin the healing process.

As the mind and body are inextricably linked and the mind controls the body there is an obvious benefit in not only mastering the physical aspects of Jujitsu but to also attempt a degree of understanding of the mental and spiritual aspects of Jujitsu. For me, Ki is like the spirit that is separate from but linked to the body and mind.

Some experts believe that a person’s level of “Ki” will vary throughout the day. This concept also applies to “Biorhythms”. A mans “Ki” or energy levels are supposed to be highest in the morning and early evening (sunrise and sunset). Whilst a woman’s “Ki” is supposed to be highest in the afternoon and in the middle of the night.

Some physical practices can lead to a heightened awareness of Ki. For example by ‘dropping your weight’ or lowering your stance you are able to achieve improved balance by being closer to the earth you feel more grounded and this gives you increased strength and greater ability to ‘take’ the balance from an attacker or Uke.

Another physical exercise that is known to heighten a person’s awareness and connectedness to Ki is to practice correct breathing techniques. These breathing techniques are best practiced both before and after training. Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth in slow rhythmic breaths, filling the diaphragm with air and slowly exhaling is the basis of the method. This breathing mimics the type of breathing we practice when sleeping. This results in a giving us a mini rest that delivers a greater store of energy. This method of breathing results in greater oxygenation of the blood vessels resulting in more available energy to respond to an attack and to give more blood to the brain to allow quicker reaction time and improved decision making. The mind and body can react more quickly and more appropriately when in a relaxed state. This allows our movements to flow (like Water) and this is one of the other main principles of Jujitsu.

The correct breathing method also has the benefit of creating an increase in metabolism. This allows for the efficient burning of fats and elimination of toxic wastes from the body. This leads to a healthier, leaner and more muscular body that is better able to respond to an attack and better able to cope with being hit and recovering more quickly.

A concentration on breathing is a form of . Meditation has been used for thousands of years by many religious people as a way of attaining a higher state of consciousness and calmer state of mind. Most religions and health practitioners have known that the practice of meditation has far reaching benefits, including stress relief by greater serenity. This can result in increased well-being that has health benefits. Personally I use the time immediately before training to relax by breathing and focusing my mind on the components of good technique including: Speed, Power, Focus, Reaction time, Accuracy, Balance, Dynamic Balance, Distancing and Timing. I visualise myself performing a technique and concentrate on how I will apply each of the components of good technique to that motion. I.e. I picture myself dropping my weight (lowering my stance) and feeling rooted to the ground, then I picture myself being alert but calm and thinking clearly, I then see the attack coming and move my feet into a better position and react with an evasive, soft, controlling or hard technique depending upon the nature of the threat. By relaxing and letting things flow the reaction time is improved and the and timing is better. The speed and power is applied and a Kiai helps to focus the Ki and this can stun and disorient an attacker.

I have found that it has been helpful before moments of anticipated stress (like the ‘Circle drill’) to take a few slow deep breaths with the diaphragm. This will help to relax your physical and mental state and should result in a better flow of “Ki” and therefore better performance.

Some say that to ‘achieve’ Ki is when the spirit controls the body and not the mind. Training in martial arts is really training of the spirit. The concept of ‘muscle memory’ is supported by this theory of Ki where the reaction time is faster than the mind can think and act. A healthy and fit person is more alert mentally and therefore has sharper reflexes and can make quicker decisions. Training by defending unknown attacks such as the “Circle drill” can assist in preparing a Martial Artist for the dynamic and unpredictable nature of physical confrontations. As many fights are usually over in a matter of seconds the mind (brain) often does not usually have time to process the situation and develop a planned response. A Martial Artist’s reaction time is reduced through years of repetitive training so that the body reacts without thinking.

The martial arts training involving sit ups and other exercises helps to develop a strong core from which the power is generated. Strikes and throws etc are always more powerful when the torso and hips are engaged in the movement. Therefore with better technique we can engage biomechanics to deliver speed and power.

Ki in martial arts is sometimes demonstrated through acts known as ‘the unbendable arm’, ‘the immovable body’, ‘the unraiseable body’. Examples of these can be found on You Tube. Modern science including conditioning, biomechanics and psychics can offer an alternative explanation for these amazing feats. Shaolin Monks from are particularly famous for performing these techniques.

Recently in class I experimented with using Ki. My Sensei asked us to partner up with someone our own size and take turns using a push type of front across the tatami. Sensei then asked the person receiving the kick to resist moving as much as possible. When it was my turn I kicked higher on the chest and focussed my energy flow, I also exhaled sharply “Oss”. Using the components of good technique and application of Ki I was able to easily move my partner across the tatami. Then it was my turn to offer resistance. I lowered my stance and then imagined that my feet were rooted to the floor and that I was made of stone. When the kick met my body I moved forward very slightly to meet the kick. The kick had little effect. My partner tried his hardest and was puffing and sweating. After a few that did not move me, I decided to step back one pace after I had fully absorbed the kick so that I could still practice application of Ki and to show respect to my training partner.

Another personal experience in the application Ki is the Kiai. I have found that through experimentation with the type and volume of Kiai together with the simultaneous exhalation of breath is beneficial in a number of ways: Andrew Mackie-Smith 25/7/14 9:18 PM 1. Generating more power in a or kick, Comment [1]: 2. Taking the mental balance of my Uke or attacker and therefore making my defence more effective. 3. Helps to release feelings of fear or tension. 4. Tenses midsection allowing better protection against a strike to that area.

In conclusion I believe that a deeper understanding of Ki and the other main principles of Jujitsu is beneficial to the seasoned Martial Artist who is seeking a higher level of physical performance and personal growth through the training of mind and spirit. The development of Ki has other benefits that flow into other areas of a persons life including work, family and friendships as they have greater vitality, confidence, strength, discipline and stamina.

Andrew Mackie-Smith Defence Student Brown Belt Third Degree Martial Arts Queensland

25th July 2014