Shinshin Toitsu Aikido (Aikido with Mind and Body Coordinated), founded in 1974 by Soshu Koichi Tohei Sensei, 10th Dan in Aikido, integrates the essential Ki principle that "Mind moves Body." This art is not just a martial discipline but a way of life, teaching us how to maximize our natural abilities while respecting and leading others. These principles transcend the dojo and can be applied to all aspects of daily life, from sports and the arts to management, education, and beyond.
At the core of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido lies the principle that the mind directly influences the body. While the body has a tangible shape, the mind is intangible, often leading people to underestimate its influence. However, the mind exerts a powerful effect on the body, and through the coordination of mind and body, we can perform at our best in all areas of life.
Shinshin Toitsu Aikido teaches four major Ki principles for unifying mind and body. These principles are interconnected; mastering one leads to mastering all, and losing one means losing all.
- Keep One Point
- Relax Completely
- Keep Weight Underside
- Ki is Extending
In Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, it is crucial to move beyond forceful or selfish attempts to control others. When we act with selfish intent, others resist. Instead, we must learn to respect and merge with others by following these five principles:
- Ki is Extending
- Know the others Mind
- Respect the other's Ki
- Put Yourself in the other's Place
- Perform with Confidence
The principles of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido are not limited to the practice of martial arts; they are valuable tools for everyday life. Ki Aikido, when understood and practiced with the coordination of mind and body, becomes a profound path of personal and interpersonal harmony.
Message from Soshu Koichi Tohei (1920-2011) c1982
The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, was my Master. He was born in 1885 and practiced many martial arts from the time of his boyhood. Finally he learned Daitoryu-jujitsu from Master Sokaku Takeda. Later he became a believer in Omotokyo which was a newly-risen Shinto religion of that time. He often told us that he arrived at realization during the practice of Omotokyo. At this time he founded Aiki-Budo. After World War I1, he changed the name to Aikido since the word "Bu" could mistakenly be considered as martial or invading.
Aikido literally means the way to unify with Ki. Ki means the absolute universe. So Aikido means to become one with the universe.
Before becoming one with the universe, one must unify his mind and body which were given from the universe. If the mind and the body are separated, it is impossible to become one with the universe.
Master Ueshiba often used phrases such as "KI NO NAGARE" (the flow of Ki) and "KI MUSUBI" (the harmony of Ki) but he lectured only on the text of Omotokyo or used the names of gods.
He never explained what Ki was or how to understand Ki. He only expressed the workings of Ki through his beautiful and powerful techniques.
After he passed away in 1969, his followers only concentrated on the Aikido techniques forgetting the Ki principles or workings of KI which cannot be seen. I always taught "Ki training" meaning a way to unify mind and body to become one with the Ki of the universe and from this basis taught techniques. However other instructors could not understand Ki. So I established Shin-Shin Toitsu Aikido (Aikido with mind and body unified) in 1975."
Aikido literally means the way to unify with Ki. Ki means the absolute universe. So Aikido means to become one with the universe.
Before becoming one with the universe, one must unify his mind and body which were given from the universe. If the mind and the body are separated, it is impossible to become one with the universe.
Master Ueshiba often used phrases such as "KI NO NAGARE" (the flow of Ki) and "KI MUSUBI" (the harmony of Ki) but he lectured only on the text of Omotokyo or used the names of gods.
He never explained what Ki was or how to understand Ki. He only expressed the workings of Ki through his beautiful and powerful techniques.
After he passed away in 1969, his followers only concentrated on the Aikido techniques forgetting the Ki principles or workings of KI which cannot be seen. I always taught "Ki training" meaning a way to unify mind and body to become one with the Ki of the universe and from this basis taught techniques. However other instructors could not understand Ki. So I established Shin-Shin Toitsu Aikido (Aikido with mind and body unified) in 1975."
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