Breathing exercise for developing immovable Aikido principle.
How is it done?
The teacher asks students to come forward and stand down with both feet shoulder-width apart. Students are told to stand as strong as possible, with their body tightened and stiff, pretending to be a statue!! Now the teacher places a fist on the hip of the student and pushes. Of course the student is pushed over easily because of their stiff body.
Now all students follow the instructions from the teacher and learn to stand strong with power:
- Step one: Stand feet apart, shoulder width, knees slightly bent.
- Step two: Start breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
- Step three: Focus your mind on the centre, middle of the body 5 cm behind the belly button (you may place your hands on the belly button).
- Step four: Feel the floor underneath your feet, make connection with the floor, and pretend you are a tree which has roots growing deep into the earth.
- Step five: Imagine the lower side of your body is a tree trunk, which is firm and strong. Your upper body is flexible like small branches with leaves that can move around with the wind. Keep breathing in and out and focus on your centre!!
- Step six: The teacher or teachers will now start testing you and other students by pushing your body. You should continue to close your eyes. Keep focusing on your centre and breathing. Absorb the energy from the push and let it flow down to the earth.
What is it good for?
This exercise will help students to discover the power of ki. They will increase their ability to keep focused on their centre and learn how a calm mind and body can help in conflict and dealing with physical pressure, using the SOFA tool and kokyo.