Blog
Tonglen and Antiracism Practice
 For several weeks now, we have been coming together to apply our training to the changes required in creating justice and cultural transformation. In this class, we study the Buddhist practice of tonglen, exploring it as both a meditation practice and an ethic we can bring to our antiracism efforts. As we grow together in awareness and capacity, we learn how to apply this practice in our intentions, relationships, and daily actions. In a very simplified approach, the tonglen practice of sending-and-receiving can be felt as a heart-level version of the improv technique of “Yes. And...” When we allow the “Yes” to be a complete inhale of everything that is so in this moment, inclusive of every aspect of suffering as it exists, we practice the abiding compassion at the heart of tonglen. We practice really letting that in, without rushing to fix or rejecting any part of it. Then, letting this rest at center, we are free to offer what's next: “And...” Exhale. This “And” rides on the out-breath, an offering of lovingkindness & generosity, a gift freely given that can help build what is to come. Practicing this in simplicity, within our class and throughout daily life, we cultivate access to fuller presence with the cultural transformations in process. We can grow our capacities for honestly engaging with what is painful, while freeing up our agency to offer something new in the next moment, from the heart. As we apply this ethic to our moment in history, we are finding increased resilience & tolerance for the work at hand. Letting the practice grow us, we gain tools for disrupting habits that have perpetuated structures of white supremacy within & without, and we find greater availability to the places where our own choices can make a difference. Here is one sample exercise from our weekly suggested practices: 11-Minute Tonglen Guided Meditation I invite you to try on this practice for a moment, a day, a week; and I would love to hear from your experience. As always, we learn together in the arts of change, and we train that we may be in Harmony with the Universe. In leading this class, my co-facilitator Welge Sensei and I offer own learning edges, trusting the growth that comes of training together. This endeavor is one layer of evolution in a many-layered conversation. Please be in touch if you'd like to join the conversation from here. |
| Attachments:
Tonglen Guided Meditation.m4a
Living the Shokushu: The Way to Union with Ki
by Kirsten Welge 3. The Way to Union with Ki The absolute Universe is One. We call this Ki. Our lives and our bodies are born of the Ki of the Universe. We study thoroughly the principles of the Universe and practice them. We are one with the universe. There is no need to despond, no need to fear. The way we follow is the way of the Universe which no difficulty nor hardship can hinder. Let us have the courage to say “If I have a clear conscience and a calm spirit, I dare to face courageously any obstacle I may encounter." --Soshu Koichi Tohei Sensei ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Seen in light of our training, these events point directly to our interdependence and truth of our situation: We are one with the universe. Knowing this, there is no need to fear what happens next. We can face obstacles with a resilient heart and unshakable spirit. We can move freely, and use the great power that is naturally ours. For now, we meet outside for our regular classes. We meet online on Tuesdays for tonglen practice, focused on applying Ki principles to antiracism in daily life. We offer Community Ed classes online, including Falling Safely and Oneness Rhythm Exercise. Our dojo members continue to explore new opportunities for sharing these principles to support our neighbors and our cities. And, we will celebrate the completion of 14 years in this space, and begin to look ahead to what we wish to create next, with a community gathering later this month. Although the shape and form of our training has shifted dramatically, I see our commitment as individuals to our training and the dojo community is strong. Through all these changes, I see trust growing in our training, and in each other. We are part of the dynamic universe, part of great Nature. When we have a clear conscience and calm spirit, we notice what is important, and respond naturally and appropriately. As we train together, we are connected to each other, and can support each other well in keiko and shugyo. And, we trust that in time, another dojo space will arise that meets the needs of our growing community. In the meantime, we'll keep training together. |
Creating our Next Chapter
 July 14, 2020, marks the 14th Anniversary of The Center for Mind-Body Oneness--our "Golden Birthday." Since we opened our doors in 2006, hundreds of people have taken classes with us, dozens have trained for many years and earned rank in Ki-Aikido, and several have earned black belts and begun leading their own classes and programs. In addition to the roughly 10,000 hours of classes we have had over the past 14 years, our studio has been host to birthday celebrations, game nights, movie screenings, dinner parties, and even sleep overs. It has been a good home to us as we have grown and developed together. We often refer to the space we practice in as the dojo. But it has always been the community that makes the dojo, not the space. Since we suspended our use of the studio in mid-March, we have continued to connect and practice Ki Principles together as a community even as we make dramatic adjustments to many aspects of our daily lives.  Meanwhile, it is unclear when we will be able to resume indoor, in-person classes again. We expect that it will still be some months, and perhaps as much as a year before normal contact indoor Aikido practice is wise. Meanwhile, the new owners of 550 Vandalia St. have been taking advantage of reduced traffic in the building to move ahead with significant renovations and updates. While we have gotten no official word, it appears likely that rent will increase significantly in the near future—which would be a burden to us even under normal circumstances. Given all this, the core community of the dojo has decided to start creating the next chapter for Minnesota Ki-Aikido. Over the past 27 years, the school has had three different long-term homes—with just over half of that time in our current studio. It's been a good run. During the last two weeks of June, our community came together at the studio for a final time to carefully disassemble the dojo and place it in storage. The mats, sprung sub-floor, dressing room shelves, Nafudakake (name board), and shomen were packed to await their next home.  To all of you who offer financial support to the dojo, thank you. Your donations are what kept our doors open for the past 14 years and enabled us to reach so many people. The dojo not only has been able to cover operating expenses, but has also built up some savings. All the donations that we receive in this time that we are not paying rent will go to building that savings—and creating the next home for Minnesota Ki-Aikido. warm regards, Jon  |
Practice in the Park
 Here are the details: What: Gatherings will focus on movement, beginning with joint mobility and proceeding to Jo and Bokken practice -- which naturally supports social distancing! When: Sundays 2:00 - 3:30pm; Wednesdays & Fridays 6:00 - 7:30pm (updated 9/27) Where: South St, Anthony Park, located near the dojo at
890 Cromwell Ave, St Paul, MN 55114 What to Bring: I encourage you to dress in workout pants and a
t-shirt, what we call "Training Clothes" at
Ki Society HQ. Gi and hakama are not ideally suited to practice on
grass or to commuting, and there is nowhere to change. Please wear
whatever you feel are appropriate foot coverings for moving
about on grass in a public park where people walk their dogs and where the lighting is poor. Please bring a Jo & Bokken if you have them. We will have weapons available for you to borrow for class or to take home on long-term loan. Finally,
please wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth. Changes due to Weather: With a shift to outdoor gatherings, we may move a class back online in the event of rain or other inclement weather. We will send out email and text notifications using RainedOut.com by 4:00pm (at least two hours before practice). Notifications will also appear on the Minnesota Ki Society Facebook page. To sign up for notifications, either:
Here are more details about signing up for notifications:
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Spring Seminar with Shaner Sensei: April 24-26
 In this 100th Anniversary year of Soshu Koichi Tohei Sensei's birth, Shaner Sensei will draw on his lifetime of training to share with us about the legacy of our founder. Please join us for this very special weekend of training. Dr. David Shaner is a direct student and former uchideshi of Tohei Sensei with over 50 years of experience in Aikido and Ki Development. He is also professor emeritus of Philosophy and Asian Studies at Furman University in Greenville, SC, and is a former World Class downhill skier. Shaner Sensei has a deep understanding of Tohei Sensei’s teachings and is superb at presenting these teachings to Westerners. He is the Chief Instructor of the Eastern Ki Federation, holds Hachidan (8th degree black belt) in Ki-Aikido and Okuden rank in Shinshin Toitsu Do (Ki Development). Seminar Schedule: Friday, April 24 6:00 – 8:00 Ki & Aikido Class 8:00 – 10:00 Social at the dojo Saturday, April 25 9:00 – 12:00 Ki & Aikido Class Lunch Break 1:30 – 4:00 Ki & Aikido Class 6:00 – 9:00 Dinner & Social Sunday, April 26 9:00 – 12:00 Ki & Aikido Class Download the seminar flyer and registration form here. |
| Attachments:
Shaner Sensei Seminar April 2020 v2.pdf
Edgework & Somatic Regulation
 Saturday, February 1,12:00 - 3:00p Saturday, March 14, 2:00 - 5:00p In tracking my own somatic regulation on & off the mat, I've come to understand some of my own patterns that arise in response to conflict, and how it relates to trauma resolution. Resolving trauma happens on individual & collective levels all the time, and is part of what is going on in our systems regularly, even without direct acknowledgment of the process. If you think back to the last time you stubbed a toe, you'll probably notice a subtle shift in embodied awareness at the recalled feeling. And yet, it's likely that that injury was resolved without a great deal of internal story or conscious processing. Nevertheless, since healing, the body has new subtle wiring that comes into play to avoid the same injury in the same place again. When we look at the ways our patterns around what we perceive as conflict arise, they are likely to show a complex web of interrelated subtle wiring, mapping our embodied healing processes throughout our lives. When we show up at the dojo, we of course encounter all of these patterns. And we follow the insightful training methods of Ki-Aikido as we witness those patterns untangling & rewiring, in alignment with our balanced center & freedom of movement.  What I've noticed is that I greatly benefit from the classes when, from time to time, all my "stuff" comes up and it is able to be met & regulated in the moment. Not something I'm trying to "get through" and then take home to unpack & process later. Knowing y'all through the years, it's likely that training includes a mix of both for everybody. What I've also noticed is when someone else is having a breakthrough in their own patterning, I learn something parallel that benefits my own healing.So I'm offering a special class, specifically to look at the places where we meet our edges on the mat and to unpack the underlying patterns of trauma & resolution that are naturally occurring therein. I'd like to ask everyone to bring an awareness of where you commonly feel stuck/triggered/frustrated when training, and if applicable, to come with an art in mind that specifically calls up this reaction. I want to start with small-group and full-circle conversations in which to examine & establish the safety of the container. This can be edgy work, so I want to ensure we create a listening space in which our individual senses of safety are humming with ki flow. I want to witness & work with our edges together, as the nervous system's ability to self-regulate can be greatly supported by co-regulation among others. While this is all very much included in Tohei Sensei's methodology, my hope in setting aside this class time is to slow things down, to allow extra space for working through the underlying processes in ways that may open insight into individual & group patterns as they find resolution through our training. -Phlaurel |
2020 New Year's Seminar with Nonaka Sensei
 This
year, we were honored to experience Eric Nonaka Sensei teaching our
annual EKF New Year's Seminar. Nonaka Sensei is Assistant Chief
Instructor of the Hawai'i Ki Federation, Head Instructor of Mililani
Hongwanji Ki-Aikido - and has been training for nearly 60 years. Nonaka
Sensei began by demonstrating the power of the mind with a simple
shokyu ki test, which tests physical posture. When the student tried not
to get nervous, the physical posture was not stable. However, this
changed dramatically when Sensei advised the student to "Be OK with
everything. Say, 'I am keeping one point.' 'This is so good.' 'I am
perfect.'" As Sensei noted, it was easy to see how easily mind works for
you - or against you. "Words are so powerful."  Throughout
the seminar, when called to demonstrate arts or practicing with a
partner, these themes continued. If I was thinking about doing the
technique correctly, concerned about moving my partner, or worried about
my ability, my stability and connection with my partner suffered. When I
remembered his phrases -- "It doesn't really matter." "It's already
good." "I can do anything you want me to." -- there was ease, lightness,
and connection.  These same points of mind
connected directly to bokken practice on Sunday morning. If I did
something to resist a ki test on the bokken blade, I was not stable. As
Sensei offered, when we feel pressure, don't resist -- "Feel yourself
getting more relaxed!" Likewise, when I made raising the ken a separate
act, preparing to "do" something, I was not stable. Instead, Nonaka Sensei reminded us of Curtis Sensei's teaching, "The sword is always cutting." Don't
interrupt that act, and don't make it a big deal. Nonaka Sensei also
reminded us of Suzuki Sensei’s "Four
Points": 1. So what? 2. Be natural. 3. Do nothing. 4. Don’t worry, be happy. I
was amazed by the power and fluidity of Nonaka Sensei's weapons forms,
as well as his tremendous kindness and humility in teaching. Towards the
end of the seminar, he shared his response when someone once asked him
about his swordwork, "When did you get it?" His reply: "Still trying.
Never ends. Lucky me." Lucky us, to know such a teacher. Mahalo nui loa, Sensei! We are grateful for your presence and support. Our friend Nakita Federov captured the weekend of training and Ohana in photographs, which you can find here. |
Foundations of Ki-Aikido: A 5th Kyu Intensive
Participants who keep the agreements for Advanced Completion can expect to be ready to test for Shokyu and 5th Kyu by the end of the program. The full list of program agreements are available here. Schedule
Registration This program is open to all dojo members, and is focused on supporting new members in preparing for Shokyu & 5th Kyu. There is an application for this program. An online application is
available here, and a printed application is available here. Applications are due by
Wednesday, January 22. |
New Year's Training: January 1, 2020
 We'll gather around 7:35 AM at the dojo for tea and light breakfast,
followed by a very special morning of training. We will travel to the
Mississippi for Senshin no Gyo (river misogi), then return to the dojo
for Sokushin no Gyu (bell misogi) and weapons training. If you have never practiced river misogi before, please read Poppele Sensei's brief blog post. We will break around 11:30 AM for a
potluck lunch and conversation featuring "Renewal of Creative Path"
questions 4-8. These questions invite personal exploration into the
particular gifts, talents, and vision each of us carry, and lead into
releasing expectations and crafting a vibrant, joyful vision for the
coming year. These questions are available here to give you an opportunity to reflect on them before we gather. We look forward to practicing with you as part of our community, and hearing your insights and inspiration for action in 2020. RSVP is encouraged. Please contact Kirsten Welge to let her know your plans. We look forward to kicking off the New Year together with you. |
| Attachments:
Renewal of Creative Path JP 2015.pdf
Quotes & Reflections from National Instructor's Seminar
 "Experience.
Feel. Master. Sometimes we think too much, explain too much. All we
have to do is experience. Feel with the whole body, and learn from
this." - Shinichi Tohei Sensei
"Let me know the state of my mind. You don't have to get some result first!" - Tohei Sensei "What is my basic concept? Push? Or keep one point and touch?" - Tohei Sensei
"Keep one point and test." - Tohei Sensei This is very simple, but can be very difficult to practice. What can help us with this?
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