AIKIDO – applications in the usual life

I have often heard from Aikido practitioners the phrase "this is my way of life". But what
does this actually mean?
The application of martial arts in our ordinary life (study, work, entertainment, friendships,
etc.) consists in applying the relevant principles in real time with appropriate adequacy
(what, when, where and how to use it), a reasonable approach, an attitude. Each person has
his own philosophy of life, based on his experience, knowledge, interests. Of course, the
question refers more to the difficult moments (such as exams, job interviews), not so much
to the easy ones, although there are situations that require a quick and accurate reaction
(for example, changing vacation or travel plans at the last minute). How to connect this
philosophy of ours with the ideas of Aikido practice is the essence of the application of this
martial art in a real-life situation.
I will try to briefly present the connection between the principles of Aikido, as formulated by
Koichi Tohei Sensei, and the relationship and solving of our daily tasks and problems.
The 4 basic principles of Aikido are known – low stable position, relaxation of the body,
concentration on the single point (TANDEN), and projection of KI.
What does it mean to be woven into our daily lives? Here I will describe my own view on the
matter, without pretending that I am mature enough to adhere 100% of the things in my life,
but at least I am taking serious steps in this direction.
To have a low, stable position literally means to weigh in your place – to be solid in your
work, in your relationships with people, to do everything with enough energy and thought.
When you are arguing, to be unshakable with your arguments, when you are having fun to
break away from all the difficulties in everyday life, etc. In general, whatever you have taken
up – you should put your best 100% there. With No half-heartedness! And most importantly,
people can rely on you both in terms of knowledge and skills. Because in society we are not
impersonal. Each of us has our strengths and weaknesses and we need to give those around
us our best performance. Otherwise, what good is it if we keep everything we have learned?
Relaxation – this is difficult both to explain and to achieve. How to relax a person with a
whole composition of problems, thoughts, ideas, buzzing in his head. To relax means not to
focus on anything extraneous. To work only on what you are struggling with now. And at the
same time to be adequate to any change in the situation. And to be able to react instantly –
without thinking, without haste, with precise actions and on time. In my opinion, it is rather
a state of the soul that is transferred to the body. Therefore, this ability is achieved mainly
with breathing exercises, meditation. Rather, it is a philosophical setting to everything
around us, which gives us time and opportunities to react adequately. People often rush, act
reckless. This never leads to a good result. Being relaxed means not getting too attached to
the situation. Then you can think and evaluate things soberly and come to a better and more
adequate decision. I often give an example in training when someone is so focused on
providing a strong grip that they leave no other option for action. Which makes it easily
manageable and controllable. The grip is needed for good contact, not for losing
opportunities. Contact is needed for the hand between us to do something together. This is
the meaning of partnership, of building relationships and working together – of teamwork.
To concentrate on a single point means that you yourself are the center of events, not to
gravitate around them. You should organize things, you should direct them, control them as
much as possible and your opinion should be decisive, and not be guided by others. Of
course, this is achieved by building a reputation – experience, knowledge, ideas are
important there. Other people rely on them and build their attitude towards us. And when
we have something to offer, they will have something to rely on and will be attracted to us
for a common activity (work or entertainment). To have a strong center is to attract others
to accept your ideas, your views, your philosophy. This is important because we build
ourselves as individuals in the dojo and we need to help everyone else follow a good path.
This is how a quality society is built and civilization can move forward.
Collecting and disseminating KI – this is not a spoon for every mouth, and here you need a
lot of practice and a lot of work on your own thinking, consciousness, behavior. Something
that many modern people fail to do for the simple reason that for them martial arts are far
from being a way of self-improvement, rather for entertainment, maintaining some physical
condition, and so on. To broadcast KI – well, to create ideas, to be a source, not just a user.
To see the center of the problem and to look for and give a solution (IRIMI), and not just
wonder how to get around or avoid it (TENKAN). Of course, in order to have ideas, you need
a lot of practice, training, thinking, following. We have teachers, we have students, we have
a Path (Do). This is the way! We adopt a certain philosophy, a way of thinking, a vision of the
world, of processes, of reality. And then we pass them on to the next ones. We accept and
transmit, learn and develop as individuals, as authorities. Society needs good and reasonable
leaders, especially at a time when values are being put to the test. We must give away what
we have learned, to help, to teach. Then we will be useful and needed, which is the meaning
of our existence!