Aikiphysics

A lot of Aikido is about Ki and learning to understand Ki. One major problem is that even the Japanese don't understand Ki all that well. So how are we to get a grip on it? One way is to look for ways that we understand things. 

These pages look at basic physics and biomechanics in order to help us understand some of the simple things about Ki. Thus we present Aikiphysics. (Some thoughts are more mature than others... feedback is welcome.)

Unfortunately Aikiphysics still leaves a lot of unexplored territory to explain and ultimately - even for a reductionist scientist - it is often easier to teach and understand it as simply Ki.

Science is often a benchmark that we routinely apply to our lives. We use science to decide what the truth is, or whether one method is better than another. The scientific method is a process of trial and error that improves knowledge. The martial arts are also sometimes referred to as science. Many arts have evolved from the battlefield where skeptical warriors tested claims of superior art in life and death contests, producing better techniques and systems. Indeed today many modern schools claim to apply 'science' or 'the scientific method' to their training, though arguably this is true of traditional schools as well. 

NOTE: Well I wrote most of this some time ago (10yrs ago), now that i know a bit more about biomechanics i have started on Aikiphysics - Exploring Internal Strength  its a bit mislabeled but maybe of interest. It explores toppling, base of support and centre of mass - there might be something of interest.

UPDATE: See How to Throw Someone for videos of this  and other concepts in action