South Carolina Ki Aikido

A big thank you to everyone who joined Saturday’s training. Your energy and dedication make these sessions truly meaningful.

A special thanks to David Shaner Sensei and Mathew Attarian Sensei for sharing their insight and experience with us. The theme “Ki moves first” gave us powerful lessons—on the mat and in everyday life. As always, it was a rich, educational, and inspiring training.

For anyone in the Greenville area who’s curious about Aikido, you’re warmly invited to come experience a class for yourself. It’s not just physical training—it’s a deeper way of learning that supports all of life’s situations.

Looking forward to seeing you on the mat.

Several photographs of a training session at South Carolina Ki-Aikido.

Congratulations on successfully passing the Shokyu and 5th Kyu test! Well done!

We all feel inspired after an amazing training session today! We focused on the basics of ki testing and keeping one point—it was incredible to revisit these foundational principles and truly connect with the essence of the art.
Thank you Sensei!

🌟 Happy New Year! 🌟

As we step into 2025, we're thrilled to continue our journey together in the dojo. Our training has been a source of strength, discipline, and community, and we're excited to embrace the new year with renewed energy and dedication. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting, let's make this year one of growth, learning, and harmony. Here's to another year of mastering techniques and building lasting friendships!

Seasonal Greetings!
As we gather at the dojo during this special time of year, we reflect on the joy, connection, and harmony that the holiday season brings. While it encompasses various religious and cultural festivities, the essence of the holiday season transcends boundaries, embodying universal themes of love, peace, and goodwill. For us, as practitioners of Ki-Aikido, and for followers of various religions, this time offers a unique opportunity to reflect on these values and integrate them into our practice and daily lives.

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Ki Testing in Ki-Aikido

Ki testing in Ki-Aikido is an integral practice aimed at assessing and enhancing the practitioner's ability to project and maintain their life energy, or ki. This process involves various exercises designed to cultivate a calm, focused mind and a relaxed, yet powerful body posture. During ki testing, the practitioner performs techniques or maintains stances while an instructor or partner applies pressure or challenges their balance. The goal is to remain stable, relaxed, and connected, effectively leading the person's energy without force or resistance. Ki testing helps practitioners develop greater awareness, improve their internal energy flow, and achieve harmony between mind and body, which are essential aspects of mastering Ki-Aikido.

Kote Oroshi is a technique in Aikido that involves a downward wrist twist to subdue an opponent. This move starts with capturing the opponent's wrist and then applying a spiraling, downward pressure to bring them to the ground. The essence of Kote Oroshi lies in blending with the opponent's energy and using a controlled, continuous motion to neutralize their attack. It exemplifies Aikido's principles of harmony, balance, and non-aggression, showcasing the art's ability to turn an opponent's force against them and maintain control with minimal effort and maximum effectiveness.

Sankyo is a fundamental technique in Aikido that embodies the philosophy of harmony, balance, and control.

- Harmony: Sankyo blends with the opponent's energy, redirecting their force to create a cooperative movement.

- Balance: It requires maintaining personal stability while disrupting the opponent's balance.

- Non-Aggression: The technique neutralizes the opponent without causing harm, relying on skill and finesse.

- Extension of Ki: Involves projecting life energy calmly and purposefully.

- Control and Compassion: Provides control while minimizing injury, reflecting Aikido's compassionate approach.

Sankyo teaches practitioners to harmonize with their opponents, maintain balance, and practice non-violence, embodying Aikido's core principles.