Shin Shin Tōitsu Aikidō, a.k.a. Ki-Aikidō in the West, is a Japanese budō, an art which developed from classical Japanese battlefield arts. Shin Shin Tōitsu Aikidō means “Aikidō with Mind and Body Unified.”

We coordinate our mind and body and use them efficiently and correctly. The curriculum includes empty-handed arts, sword, spear/staff and other weapons arts, and a unique form of training called Taigi. To progress in this curriculum, students train simultaneously in Ki-Aikidō and in Ki Development.

This art is not a modern sport form. It has no rules, competitions, or weight/size/gender categories, nor does it require the use of brute force. It is an efficient, effective, realistic, and powerful art. It developed from the classical Japanese battlefield arts, yet it is adapted to the modern world.

Mental/Emotional: awareness, calmness, relaxation, stress reduction, positive self-image, sharpness and clarity of mind, memory improvement.

Physical: coordination, flexibility, agility, higher energy, stamina, cardiovascular health, efficient metabolism.

Martial: highly effective, practical, yet ethically mature and legally safe skills to protect oneself and others. Also provides a good foundation for the study of other arts, martial or otherwise.

General: an in-depth improvement of quality of life through the integration of human abilities. Suitable for all ages and body types and requires no special background or skill — only perseverance.

Shin Shin Tō Itsu Dō, or “the Way of Mind and Body as One,” has roots in Indian yoga and in Japanese spiritual training. It is an integrated training method which helps one to put to good use the unity of mind and body. It is not a religion or a philosophy, but a training method for mind and body together. Kiatsu Ryōhō, a self-healing method similar to acupressure, is also taught in this context.

Taigi involve the expression of Ki movement through a series of techniques performed with one or more partners. The 31 Taigi are unique to Shin Shin Tōitsu Aikidō.

In our dōjō, there is significant emphasis on the sword, staff and other weapons arts. We use weapons training to deepen our coordination of mind and body, sharpen our technique, and learn how to barehandedly disarm armed opponents. Taigi and Weapons training are physically and mentally intense, and develop endurance, aerobic capacity, relaxation, coordination, good posture, efficient movement, and heightened awareness.

*Though using live blades is not part of Ki Society’s training curriculum, here are some clips of Kashiwaya Sensei applying the principles of Mind and Body Coordination to cutting straw targets with a live blade. Advanced students of Kashiwaya Sensei are able to study live sword arts, or Ki Kenpō, with him.