The Essence of the Aikite for health is:
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- To develop good health
- To distill to the very essence the Internal Martial Arts with no frills.
- To develop strong Martial Skills
Aikite is a unique style developed to stress the importance of the “Will” or Mind Intent (and energy) (ki) and to “re-establish the original sense and quality of internal martial arts”.
The essence of Aikite is to break away from rigid structures imposed in the other internal martial arts, always of course adhering to essential concepts of posture i.e. “connecting and rooting the body”. The belief is that no form is the strongest form.
Aikite rejected the traditional methods of detailed and “set forms” as a training method and emphasized the simplicity of the essence of natural energy by raising “mind-intent” (Ki) to a high level in internal martial arts training. Mind intent (Ki) is something employed in all internal arts and with Aikite is elevated to a level at least equal or more important than just body movement. Aikite is neither a training of the mind nor a physical practice alone, the two must be harmonized. The essence of Aikite can only be cultivated by harmony and integration of both the mind and body. Visualization of various images ( e.g. a tree growing with roots spreading into the ground and branches waiving in the air) should be used in relaxed standing meditation to direct neuromuscular coordination that results in whole-body harmony and mind-body synthesis.
We also work to set off one muscle group against another in a relaxed way to provide a dynamic tension in the body , a kind of isometric exercise in order to find, sense, feel, understand, explore inside the body, experience, and finally cultivate, and master the whole-body “balanced force”. An example would be where we feel the arms lifting up and yet at the same time being pulled down by giant elastic bands. This kind of stuff is subtle and can be used in legs, torso, neck, and arms, everywhere really.
The effect of training is to produce a strong, lively, independent and individual mind, free from petty prejudice, capable of deep insight into humanity, along with a strong and healthy body. Needless to say, very powerful Martial Art skills, for defense or attack are also produced which tend to become stronger with age and practice.
The Aikite Style comprises the following elements:
1. Standing Practice:
A series of standing meditations, many of which are only used in this style, e.g. Ready Stance, utilized to build energy or “mind energy” in the body and promote a strong connection or “root” with the universal energy. The practice is basic standing, and some advanced postures, examining in detail the correct use of body weight, and feet, hand, leg, arm, waist, shoulder, and back position. This standing alone is a powerful mind energy and health exercise, and is recognized by most masters as the most direct method of building a root and internal strength. It is not easy though! Even in the beginning, guys with bulging muscles are unable to stand for more than 5 minutes. However, as with all things, practice makes it much easier.
2. Trial of Strength:
These are a series of slow smooth movements, performed standing still, walking or stepping quickly, with repetition to test or “trial” how the energy is moving in and outside the body. Training includes, amongst others, the following “Basics”: pushing, lifting, crushing, wrapping, pulling, extracting, spiraling, coiling, etc. This is advanced for students to grasp and feel. The idea is to move from a standing posture, where the energy inside the body is totally alive, and add a little exterior movement to where you are now starting to put the body in motion and feel the live interior energy connect with the exterior energy.
3. Footwork:
These are stepping movements to practice advancing and retreating in small and large steps and further build energy. Aikite prefers to advance as opposed to retreat.
Stepping includes, closed step, open step and circle step, in fixed stepping and free stepping patterns. It also includes deceptively simple steps, which are extremely useful in combat.
4. Trial of Breath (Kiai)
We use the vocal cords with a resonance down to the stomach or diaphragm to shout or grunt at a deep level to vitalize the whole body and manifest the maximum amount of energy discharge. We also use it in different ways to “smooth” the energy in the body to ensure it reaches all parts.
5. Power/Energy Release:
This is practiced in varying forms to discharge energy in a focused manner, once it has built up in the body. We practice in various directions and different body movements, discharging to the front, sides, up and down.
6. Pushing Hands:
Aikite pushing hands is similar to other internal martial arts, but with unique movements, to assist both players to test discharging, rooting, balance, sensitivity, etc. Trained with one and two hands, either standing still, in fixed movement patterns or completely free movement, forward, back and all sides. Typically done more actively and often more aggressively than other pushing hands. At a more advanced level, we mix in Kiai, to give the student the feeling of discharging and also being on the receiving end of that energy!
7. Sparring and Fighting:
Here we have a lot of fun with actual freestyle sparring with a partner. We also do the Free Form Dance done solely with no fixed form, and sole shadow boxing. We believe that pushing hands is great up to a point, but after that you need to spar to really understand combat.
Some Important Aspects of Aikite
To become proficient in Aikite, you must master the key principles; understand the theories and concepts; cultivate and make strong your Aiki, Mind Intent. Many students struggle with the whole concept of Aiki or Mind Intent, but it’s simply the focus of the mind and what it wants to achieve at that particular movement. It is however incredibly powerful in this art, and produces some strange effects.
**Training and conditioning has to be based on the laws of physics and physiology, and you should try and understand and question every movement you’re doing, don’t just blindly copy others when you have a good understanding of the art.
** Try and see what works for you and it is better to have a few excellent techniques than a whole host of watered down copies of what someone else is doing.
** With Aikite we get rid of useless techniques/principles, especially unnecessary and flowery movements and unnecessary mental distractions.
** Perform the actions with a comfortable natural ease with proper body mechanics and a natural harmony with nothing forced, in this way natural energy will rise and become strong.
** Use your mind-intent (Aiki) to lead your relaxed actions and try to remain formless with no obvious external form
Remember that repetition is the essential key to training the body, mind and energy. Repetition ensures that the central nervous system and your energy and physical body become thoroughly drilled in the movements, so that when your mind directs a movement, it happens effortlessly and very effectively.
** Beware, however, the generated and cultivated energy can be used for healing and health to yourself and others but has tremendous destructive force if used aggressively.
Mind-Intent & Visualization
As we have said, we use visualization of various types both passive and active, for example feeling you are standing in a river anchored to the river bed with water up to your neck and stream rushing past you. How does that feel? How will you move? How can you direct your force?
** The visualizations (and there are many) we employ help us to direct out Mind Intent and use it effectively.
** Whole-body harmony – The body must work as one, and be fully coordinated. i.e. one part moves all parts move, and coming as Aikite
** Spiral-winding movement – We utilize natural coiling, winding and spiraling in all our movements. This creates the silk reeling movement, going through your whole body making your hits and strikes more powerful, and deflecting incoming energy, grips and strikes away from your body. The spiraling starts at the feet, comes through the legs and the waist, which must be flexible (we always encourage students to practice dancing to loosen the waist up) It then follows through the back and out along the arms and hands. This is also a very healthy set of movements.
Essentially the art of Aikite is very difficult to put into words, as so much of it is feeling and experience. Some students just like to practice at home with a book, and no doubt these days You Tube, but the only way is with a competent teacher or guide to take you through the steps. Even then it’s not easy.