Aikido Zhen-Qi Shu

Congratulations to all...

2011-09-29T08:06:00.007+08:00

Congratulations to the following trainees for successfully attaining the Dan levels in Zhen-Qi Shu Aikido.

Sho Dan

Daniel Kerson Kenneth Ang

Andre Pang Karen Goh

NiDan

Gary Fua Aziz

Sandy Leong

photo credits: Kenneth Ang / Dan Kerson / Awyong Yongxin

ZQS Annual Gathering 2011

2011-09-04T20:58:00.004+08:00

Hi All,

It's time for ZQS's annual gathering again. Here are the details:

Date & Time: 17th September 2011, from 630pm onwards

Venue: 104 Pasir Ris Road Pasir Ris Park Singapore 519109

Price: S$15/pax (includes food and drinks)

Come join us for a night of food and fun. Please confirm your attendance with us by 11th September 2011.

See ya then :)

Aikido Seminar with Horii Shihan

2011-03-21T17:49:00.003+08:00

Hi All,

As you may have heard by now, our club is organising an Aikido seminar with Etsuji Horii Shihan, 7th Dan Aikikai. There will be two training sessions altogether. This will be a very good opportunity for everyone to experience Aikido teachings under a Japanese Shihan, hence everyone should try their best to attend. Do not miss this opportunity.

Following are the details of the seminar:

Date: 3rd May 2011

Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm (weapon training) & 8.00pm - 9.30pm (normal training)

Venue: Kolam Ayer Community Club, 3188 Geylang Bahru, Singapore 339717

Seminar Fee: SGD$50 (for those registered by 21st Apr 2011), SGD$65 (for those registered after 21st Apr 2011)

Closing Date for Registration: 30th April 2011

Please register with us (Sandy/Yong Xin) as soon as possible to confirm your attendance. Do not hesitate and wait until the last minute :)

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Horii Shihan, here's a bit of background information on him:

Horii Shihan is the head of Sanda Dojo in Kobe. Horii Shihan entered Hombu Dojo in Tokyo in 1985, initially as an uchi-deshi, eventually becoming a full-time instructor. He moved back to his native Kansai region in 1996 and established the Aikido Kobe Sanda Dojo of Aikikai Foundation. He has taught at many international seminars and remains very close to Doshu and to Hombu Dojo. The Sanda Dojo website can be found at http://www.lares.dti.ne.jp/~horii/index_e.html.

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the seminar. Thank you.

2010-09-26T21:09:00.014+08:00

Congratulations to the following trainees for successfully attaining the Dan levels in Zhen-Qi Shu Aikido.

Shodan (1st Dan): Ang Yew Jun Norman, Frederic Faugeroux, Heng Yong Jin Perry, Syed Alwee, Nonis Matthew Yuan Han, Goh Wai Chien Jackie, Tan Rui Lin, Imran Fahim B. Fahmy, Chew Kar Kian Abel, Lee Ee Siong Shawn & Tung Siau Tian.

Nidan (2nd Dan): Neo Ai Chye, Tham Kin Wai, AwYong Yong Xin, Ong Sin Yen, M. Qairawani B. Ismail

ZhenQiShu Aikido 8th Anniversary Celebration

2010-09-02T09:54:00.002+08:00

Zhen-Qi Shu Aikido 8th Anniversary Celebration

正氣塾合氣道八週年慶典

Date: 5th September 2010

Time: Registrations starts at 10.50

Venue: Kolam Ayer CC

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

2010-08-29T19:10:00.007+08:00

A big congratulations to the following that have successfully graded for Shodans and Nidans...

Sho Dan

Abel Chew

Tan Rui Lin

Shawn Lee

Alwee

Perry Heng

Matthew

Norman Ang

Imran

Jackie Goh

Siau Tian

Frederic

Ni Dan

Mr. Neo AC

Mr. Tham KW

Awyong Yongxin

Qai

Ong Sin Yen

CHINESE NEW YEAR BREAK

2010-02-02T23:18:00.002+08:00

Chinese New Year break will be from 12th FEBRUARY till 25th FEBRUARY 2010.

Classes will resume on 26th FEBRUARY （Friday）.

Here's wishing all a prosperous Chinese Lunar New Year

Christmas Break

2009-11-29T01:22:00.000+08:00

PLEASE TAKE NOTE...

Hi All...Christmas Break will be from 23rd DEC 2009 to 2nd JAN 2010.

Classes will resume on the 3rd JAN 2010 (Sunday) (Kolam Ayer CC).

Here's wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

Zhen-Qi Shu 7th Anniversary Family Day and Combine Training

2009-08-17T22:54:00.006+08:00

Hi all,

The family day combine training will be held on the 5th and 6th of September at Pasir Ris Park. There'll be training under the beautiful sun, fun and food... Attendance compulsory... Families are welcome.

Date: 5th and 6th of September 2009 (Saturday and Sunday)
Venue: Pasir Ris Park
104 Pasir Ris Road Singapore 519109
( The bus service connecting Pasir Ris bus interchange/MRTstation to the
Pasir Ris Park is SBS service no. 403 )
Cost: $20
Registration starts at 2 pm
PLEASE BRING WEAPONS...

Look forward to seeing all of you at the combine training...

JAPAN HOMBU SHO DAN PRESENTATION CEREMONY

2009-07-26T22:47:00.005+08:00

IMPORTANT NOTICE...

2009-06-29T14:28:00.001+08:00

According to reports, there have been a rapid increase of H1N1 cases in Singapore. Therefore, ZHENQISHU Aikido Club would like its following members to adhere to the following regulations:

1) Should you feel unwell, please consult a doctor immediately. Do NOT come to the dojo for trainings.

2) If you have been in contact with friends or families who have been told to be on home quarantine, please do not attend trainings within the first 7 days.

3) If you are confirmed to be infected with the H1N1 virus, please ensure that you have made a full recovery before you attend trainings again.

4) Please keep us informed if you are truly infected with the virus.

This is a very serious matter. Therefore, let's all practise SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY with regards to it. Members who are found to experience discomfort or are unwell will be sent home immediately.

Black Belt Grading @ Pek Kio CC 14th March 2009

2009-03-29T18:45:00.006+08:00

Black Belt Grading @ Pek Kio CC 14th March 2009

photo credits: AwYong YX

Combine Training with NUS AIKIDO CLUB

2009-03-06T20:08:00.002+08:00

DATE: 24TH MARCH 2009
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: NUS SPORTS COMPLEX

more photos coming....

photo credits: AwYong YX

HORII SENSEI VISIT TO SINGAPORE - TRAINING @ NUS

2009-03-06T19:52:00.009+08:00

DATE: 24TH FEB 2009

TIME: 7:00PM

PLACE: NUS SPORTS COMPLEX

photo credits: AwYong YX

2009 Zhen-Qi Shu Family Day Combine Training

2009-01-17T22:07:00.003+08:00

Hi all, The family day combine training will be held on the 7th of FEB 2009 at PEK KIO CC. There'll be training, fun and food...
Families are welcome.

Date: 7th FEB 2009, SATURDAY
Venue: PEK KIO CC
Time: 12 noon

Look forward to seeing all of you at the combine training...

CHINESE NEW YEAR BREAK

2009-01-16T14:13:00.003+08:00

Chinese New Year break will be from 24th JANUARY till 5th FEBRUARY 2009.

Classes will resume on 6th FEBRUARY （Friday）.

Here's wishing all a prosperous Chinese Lunar New Year

JAPAN HOMBU SHODAN PRESENTATION CEREMONY

2008-10-31T00:41:00.004+08:00

Zhen-Qi Shu 6th Anniversary Celebration and Combine Training

2008-09-03T22:41:00.003+08:00

Photo Credits: Mr. Chua Jin Jie

Hori Sensei visit to Singapore - Training @ NUS

2008-08-20T22:29:00.005+08:00

Combine Training @ Kolam Ayer CC 7th September 2008

2008-06-21T00:18:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

The family day combine training for Zhen-Qi Shu 6th Anniversary Celebration and Combine Training will be held
7th of September 2008
@ Kolam Ayer CC
Registration starts at 11am
Please pay $10 to your dojo reps... thank you...

There'll be training, fun and food... Families are welcome... Look forward to seeing all of you at the combine training... Thank you...

P/S: Remember to bring your aikido yellow booklet for registration...

Zhenqishu Combine Training... 24th Feb 2008

2008-02-24T23:15:00.001+08:00

Kolam Ayer Martial Art Showcase 2008

2008-02-24T10:48:00.000+08:00

NEWS (September)

2008-01-16T23:58:00.000+08:00

16th January 2008

News:

Chinese New Year break will be from 5th till 17th February.
Classes will resume on 18th.

Kolam Ayer Martial Art Showcase 2008
cum Zhen-Qi Shu Aikido Family Day Combine Training

ZQS and the Kolam Ayer CC are jointly holding the family day combine training with a martial art showcase on 24 Feb 2008. Other than the combine training which allows you to interact with members from other ZQS dojos, you would be guaranteed an eye-opening demonstration of various martial arts.

Families are welcome and dinner would be provided. Participation is free, but ZQS members who do not show up would be levied a $5 charge. Please see below for further details:

Date 24 Feb 2008, Sunday
Time 12 noon to 7pm
Venue Kolam Ayer CC and Blk 69A Kallang Bahru Amphitheatre

Programme

Part I (Kolam Ayer CC)
12.00noon Registration at Kolam Ayer CC
12.30pm Warm-up
12.55pm Belt Presentation
1.00pm Combined Training
3.00pm Photo-taking, Break and Keeping of mats

Part II (Amphitheatre)
4.30pm Kolam Ayer Multi-Cultural Dance
?? Kyokushin Karate
?? Silat
?? Taiji
?? Taekwondo
?? Wushu
?? ZQS Aikido
• The Young Ones
• Ladies’ Self Defence and Free Exercise
• Men’s Free Exercise
• 31 Kata
• Demonstration by Awyong Sensei
6.40pm End of Show at Amphitheatre
6.50pm Dinner (Halal) at Kolam Ayer CC
7.00pm Karaoke

Please refrain from bringing any expensive items along. Bags will be locked up in the CC’s 2nd floor room. However, should anything go missing, Zhen-Qi Shu will not be liable for it.

NEW GRADING SYLLABUS (right click to save excel file)

Events:

SP Aikido CCA Drive will be held on 26 - 30 Mar 07 (Mon - Fri) @ SP concourse (above Foodcourt 2 where there's Mac). Event is held daily from 8.30am - 5.30pm. The purpose of this drive is to raise awareness of Aikido and to get more students, especially freshies, to join our big family in ZQS Aikido.

Past Events:

Aikido Seminar & Tour In Myanmar

Aikido Yoshinkan Shodukan Malaysia Presents International Gasshuku 2006

Zhen Qi Shu Aikido Camp (9-10 September)

Archery Course. Tampines SAFRA

Aikido Open House. Saturday, 11 February 2006

China Trip Photos

Please contribute any news to Mr AMD (aikido@usetheforce.co.uk)

Weapons Training

2007-12-31T22:15:00.000+08:00

WEAPONS TRAINING ON THE FIRST WEEK OF EVERY MONTH...

Aikido Seminar & Tour In Myanmar

2007-03-25T10:56:00.001+08:00

(March school holiday 2007 [11-17th March])

The Land That Time Forgot

Land at Yangon in the evening, check-in and visit Chinatown.

Monday morning visit the Taukkyan War Cemetry. The British Embassy employ locals to look after the cemetry.

Pass by a funeral precession on the way Kyaiktiyo

Start the rough ride 3/4 of the way up to Golden rock on the back of a lorry.

Then a 30 min walk up the rest of the way

At the Top!

Sunset

Sunrise

Sart the walk and truck ride back down

Bago. Shwemawdaw Pagoda

Kanbawza Thadi Palace

Kyalik Pun Pagoda

Labhamuni Pagoda which contains the biggest marble Buddha image.

Sule Pagoda

Visit Thanlyin via Myanmar's longest bridge (270 metres).

Thanlyin market and seller of Beetle

Ferry across to islet shrine, Ye-le Paya

Shwedagon Pagoda

A Bodhi Tree, which is a sapling from the Sacred Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya (Bihar State, India).

Yangon. Bogyok Market. (Johhny, Jimmy and Mr Jade)

Myanmar Aikido Association

View of Shwedagon Pagoda from Hotel room

2007 ZhenQiShu Family Day Combine Training

2007-01-08T23:55:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

The family day combine training will be held on the 4th of March at Kolam Ayer CC. There'll be training, fun and food... Families are welcome.

Date: 4th MARCH, Sunday
Venue: KOLAM AYER CC
Registration starts at 11.30am

Look forward to seeing all of you at the combine training...

Port Dickson Trip

2006-09-20T22:24:00.001+08:00

AIKIDO SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY:
AIKIDO SHUDOKAN MALAYSIA - 16th to 18th September 2006

Group Photo with Joe Sensei of
Aikido Shudokan Australia

more to come....

ZHEN-QI SHU AIKIDO CAMP 2006

2006-09-10T11:44:00.001+08:00

Venue: Pasir Ris Park

Thought For The Day

2006-05-01T23:56:00.000+08:00

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm.

(click image for larger version)
The Art of Self Defence for everyone (Aged 4 to 900)

Archery at SAFRA

2006-04-09T18:00:00.000+08:00

China Trip

2006-01-01T23:58:00.000+08:00

Itinerary

Day 1: Singapore to Shanghai
Day 2: Shanghai to Hangzhou
Day 3: Hangzhou to Suzhou
Day 4: Suzhou to WuXi
Day 5: WuXi to Nanjing
Day 6: Nanjing to Shanghai
Day 7: Shanghai
Day 8: Shanghai
Day 9: Shanghai to Singapore

Photos by:

Day 9: Shanghai to Singapore

2006-01-01T23:00:00.000+08:00

[Day 8][Itinerary]

Day 8: Shanghai

2005-12-31T23:00:00.001+08:00

[Day 7][Itinerary] [Day 9]

Day 7: Shanghai

2005-12-30T23:00:00.001+08:00

[Day 6][Itinerary] [Day 8]

Yu Garden

[Day 6][Itinerary] [Day 8]

Day 6: Nanjing to Shanghai

2005-12-29T23:00:00.000+08:00

[Day 5][Itinerary] [Day 7]

Nanjing Massacre Mausoleum

Shanghai. Boat trip

View from Pearl tower

[Day 5][Itinerary] [Day 7]

Day 5: WuXi to Nanjing

2005-12-28T23:00:00.001+08:00

[Day 4][Itinerary] [Day 6]

Dr Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum. Nanjing.

Japanese fired into this during WWII.

Please advise what the first two charactors are? Last two being Zhen Qi!

[Day 4][Itinerary] [Day 6]

Day 4: Suzhou to WuXi

2005-12-27T23:00:00.000+08:00

[Day 3][Itinerary] [Day 5]

Singapore Industrial Park, lah!

HDB's :)

Monk on his mobile!

3 times only!

Silk factory

Li Garden (Lotus Pavilion). WuXi

Tea Pot factory

[Day 3][Itinerary] [Day 5]

Day 3: Hangzhou to Suzhou

2005-12-26T23:00:00.001+08:00

[Day 2][Itinerary] [Day 4]

Boat ride on West Lake

Huagang Park

Hangzhou Teahouse

Suzhou.

[Day 2][Itinerary] [Day 4]

Day 2: Shanghai to Hangzhou

2005-12-25T23:00:00.000+08:00

[Day 1] [Itinerary] [Day 3]

Our hotel in Shanghai.
Travel to Hangzhou.

Visit Xihu Xintiandi

[Day 1] [Itinerary] [Day 3]

Day 1: Singapore to Shanghai

2005-12-24T23:00:00.000+08:00

[Itinerary] [Day 2]

Changi Airport waiting to check-in

Take the Maglve Train to the city

Walk around the business district

Late supper

[Itinerary] [Day 2]

NEWS (December)

2005-12-23T23:00:00.000+08:00

16th December 2005

Re-vamp Home page uploaded (got some vid clips)
Slam Medley
Pek Kio C.C. Gallery
Yan Palace Restaurant

Please be advised there will be no training from 24th December to 2nd January.

Weapons Training

9th, 10th, 12th (SP), 13th, 15th December

8 days Shanghai Trip:

Airline: Singapore Airline
Price: $1100 (tour + tax + miscellaneous)

24 December 2005 (Meet up Friday 23rd late evening 11:30pm)
Departure: Sin 0155
Arrival: Shanghai 0600

Day 1:
Singapore – Shanghai – Hangzhou: West Lake, Huagang Park, Xihu Xintiandi
Day 2:
Hangzhou: Hangzhou teahouse, Wansong academy – Suzhou: Singapore industrial park, silk factory
Day 3:
Suzhou: Suzhou Lotus garden, Hanshan Temple – Nanjing: Nanjing Massacre Mausdeum
Day 4:
Nanjing: Changjiang Bridge – Wuxi: Taihu Lake, Yuantouzhu, Xihui Park, and Three-kingdom movie & TV studio
Day 5:
Wuxi – Shanghai: Chenghuangmiao commercial district, Nanjing Road, Xiangyang Road, Huaihai Road
Day 6:
Shanghai: Zhujiajiao, Shanghai Xintiandi, Training
Day 7:
Shanghai: Free & Easy, Training.
Day 8:
Shanghai: Free & Easy, Countdown to 2006 in Shanghai.
Day 9:
Shanghai – Singapore

1 January 2006
Departure: Shanghai (Afternoon Flight)
Arrival: Sin (1st Jan 2006, 16:00 hours)

Please let Sandy know if you’re going as soon as possible and inform her of your name, passport number and expiry date for the passport… tingyleong@yahoo.com

Deposit for the trip ($500) to be handed in to sensei by 30th October 2005

Please contribute any news to Mr AMD (aikido@usetheforce.co.uk)

Slam Medley

2005-12-03T14:00:00.000+08:00

These series of techniques are usually executed after many months of training in Aikido. It may look a little shocking but in fact both Uke (Person receiving a technique) and Nage (Person executing technique) are enjoying the experience.

(1.2Mbyte Flash movie)
Brown gold and Blue gold Grading
Pek Kio C.C
3/12/2005

Try not. Do or do not, there is no try. -Yoda-

One who practices Aikido attempts to become one with the mat by being thrown into it repeatedly in the hope that s/he will merge with the mat. This usually doesn't happen, so the process must be repeated. Frequently.

NEWS (November)

2005-12-01T13:00:00.000+08:00

Scroll to bottom of page for group picture taken from 3rd Anniversary

3rd Anniversary Celebration Photo Series:

2nd Installment of pictures from 3^rd Anniversary Celebrations
ZQS-Kids Demonstration

Childrens' Grading. 22nd October. Pek Kio C.C.

My First Time

Sensei thinks it would be a nice idea for members to share their 'first time' at Zhen-Qi Shu.
Please contribute and send to aikido@usetheforce.co.uk

3rd Anniversary Celebration Photo Series:

1st Installment of pictures from 3^rd Anniversary Celebrations
Ladies Group Jo - 31 Kata

Trouble viewing the Syllabus on Official site:
This is usually due to JavaScript security level of your web browser (IE)
Try the following:
1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu
2. In Internet Options dialog box select the Security tab.
3. Click Custom level button at bottom. The Security settings dialog box will pop up.
4. Under Scripting category enable Active Scripting, Allow paste options via script and Scripting of Java applets
5. Click OK twice to close out.
6. Hit Refresh
If that doesn't work: Try these! (From the official Zhen-Qi Shu website)
Adult Syllabus
Child Syllabus

Childrens Grading: Pek Kio C.C

2005-10-22T14:00:00.000+08:00

(6Mbyte Flash movie)

Yan Palace Restaurant

2005-10-09T23:59:00.001+08:00

In Celebration of; Yingzhen, Ruby, Zi Jing, Mr. Neo, Mr. Lim, Henry and KC being awarded a Black Belt in Aikido.

3rd Anniversary Celebration

2005-09-11T23:55:00.000+08:00

Schedule

4:45 ZQS - Kids Demonstration
5:00 Ladies Group Jo - 31 Kata
Men's Group Bokken 4 Directions
5:30 ZQS Chief Instructor - Awyong Sensei
6:00 Aikikai Singapore Chief Instructor - Harry Ng Sensei

Aikikai Singapore Chief Instructor - Harry Ng Sensei

2005-09-11T19:00:00.000+08:00

ZQS Chief Instructor - Awyong Sensei

2005-09-11T18:30:00.000+08:00

Ladies Group Jo - 31 Kata

2005-09-11T17:00:00.000+08:00

The Jo (staff) was developed by the Samurai during Japan's feudal period. The Kata is a series of programmed movements and is normally practiced in a slow stylistically controlled manner.

Aikido call the Kata a movement of nature and peace. Aikidokas in China practice the Kata as a salutation to the four holy creatures; Sieryu (Dragon), Suzaku (Phoenix), Genbu (Turtle and Snake) and Byakko (White Tiger). The four holy creatures represent each direction; north, south, east, west.

*Pictures will remain for 2 weeks. A new set will be posted there after.

ZQS - Kids Demonstration

2005-09-11T16:45:00.000+08:00

*Pictures will remain for 2 weeks. A new set will be posted there after.

911 Dress Rehearsal + Ruby & Ai Lian's Birthday

2005-09-10T23:00:00.001+08:00

Martial Arts Night (Aikido demo) / Awyong Sensei’s Birthday

2005-09-04T23:00:00.000+08:00

A demonstration at Bouna Vista Community Centre in aid of the Martial Arts Night.

The demo at Bouna Vista involved the Men’s group Bokken (4 directions) in which we will be performing next week at the 911 Zhen-Qi Shu anniversary. Also the ladies group Jo (31 Kata)

My First Time

2005-08-02T09:00:00.000+08:00

My FIRST TIME in Aikido
by Ruby Tan

Aikido was introduced to me in early 2003, when i was fifteen. The reason why I joined aikido was my dad. He had introduced aikido as a programme in his club and I just joined in. I knew nuts about aikido at first, but the sound of the martial art got me immensely interested.

My first lesson was memorable. (I believe everyone else's is.) I got to know Sensei, who was not the least menacing as I thought he should be. As usual for newcomers, I learned the basics of basic. Rolling was the highlight for me during my first time. I felt it is the most difficult, yet the most beautiful movement in Aikido.

The people in Aikido also made my first time colourful. (You know who you are! =P) Without their pleasant company and encouraging nature, my first time could never have been such a pleasure.

______________________________________________________

My FIRST TIME in Aikido
by Dan Kerson

My friend Jesmine introduced me to Aikido, along with Mr Yeo. In fact Mr Yeo performed a wrist lock on me at a business breakfast meeting for which sparked an interest. On Thursday 2 September 2004 I arrive at Kolam Ayer CC for my first taste of Aikido.

I was quite blur, and entered the reception and asked “Where is the Aikido club please?” Ah? Was the reply from the receptionist! Before I could repeat my question, Mr Tham enters and I’m whisked outside and told to wait outside the badminton court.

Training on that day was on the stage. I was introduced to Sensei, who on first impression came across as a great master with his Hakima, although at the same time had a very compassionate persona. This first impression still remains!

I had no Gi, and was allowed to train in shorts and t-shirt! Not normal, but we were out of sight on the stage. I was quite apprehensive and my muscles were very stiff. My mind was blur and legs and arms were too stressed! We went through warm-up exercises and a few techniques.

The Knee walk. Hmm. Yes, I did this in shorts. This was highly comical for the others when I stood up to reveal red raw knees! Not too bad though, except in the morning when I had blisters.

The following morning every muscle in my body was aching! This can only be a good thing I thought. And so I continued to train.

Please be advised Aikido is addictive!

Cheers
Dan

Thought for the day

2005-08-01T23:00:00.000+08:00

"Twice the ego means double the fall."

2005-07-01T23:00:00.000+08:00

In mental terms aikido means "letting go", not relying on physical strength, not depending on the intellectual part of the brain to think of solutions to the problems we face. These are not little things to let go. The thinking part of the brain always wants to tell us that the intellect matters most. It will use that sense of the body that uses out muscles to stay in control.

The thinking brain and the body-in-the-brain both seem to have an ego. They're used to having their own way and they'll try and stop us seeing anything more than their version of ourselves. To get beyond them we have to find ways to change our bodies and change our minds. Good aikido training is meant to help us to do just that and over time, it does.

Good aikido training is pure movement. It is universal movement. To quote Uyeshiba himself: "The secret of aikido is to harmonize ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself. He who has gained the secret of aikido has the universe in himself and can say, 'I am the universe'".
The feeling of pure movement is hard to catch because our mental and physical egos get in the way. The experienced practitioner says: "relax". He or she says: "Let the feeling of the movement flow so you can catch it for yourself; so it can catch you". He or she says: "Follow the feeling and aikido will teach itself. It is natural movement. Let it come to you. Let it come through you. Let movement itself show you what to do".

But what is: "relax"? The more you try to "relax" the tighter your body becomes. So then you go to the other extreme and become floppy and useless. What is this feeling of flow you are supposed to feel? How can you feel it unless you know what it is already? And if you know what it is already, then you hardly need to feel for it, do you?

It's like a Zen koan. Zen koans are mental riddles used in particular Buddhist training schools to baffle the brain and bring it to the point where it lets go and takes the leap to larger awareness. In the same way learning to "relax" means learning to feel more centred and extended. It means more than copying the relaxed movements of an instructor. It means finding these feelings inside yourself, that is, knowing what a moving centre and relaxed strength actually feels like.

FIRST 911 Committee Meeting

2005-06-26T23:00:00.000+08:00

First committee meeting held at Hans, Great Eastern Building!

A nice turnout indeed, very impressive. We had a fruitful meeting over lunch and I believe that was a good start to our planning effort. We had the key items identified and respective roles assigned.

2nd Anniversary Celebration

2004-09-04T22:00:00.001+08:00