Ki To The Universe

Author: Bret Gordon

“If only you knew the magnificence of 3,6 and 9, then you would have a key to the universe.” – Nikola Tesla
 
While the study of internal power is hardly a key to the universe, the numbers three, six, and nine have important symbolism in American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu. Three, a sacred number in numerous cultures, in our system is a reference to the Sangen 三元 (Three Principles) of Aiki, otherwise known as Tenchijin 天地人 (Heaven, Earth, Man). This triad symbolizes the harmonious integration of cosmic forces, terrestrial elements, and human essence, reflecting the unified interplay of In (Yin) and Yo (Yang) energies. Far from being separate or conflicting, these dual forces exist in a constant state of dynamic balance, each giving rise to the other in an endless cycle of movement and transformation.
 
Together, Inyo is represented by dual opposing spirals, intertwined for a singular purpose greater than the sum of its parts. These spirals mirror the natural flow of energy within the body, in martial movement, and throughout the universe itself. Just as galaxies swirl, ocean currents flow, and breath cycles in and out, Inyo expresses itself through continuous, circular motion. It is never static, never linear, but always evolving and adapting.

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Within the practice of Aiki Jujutsu, this principle manifests as the blending of rising and sinking forces, the interplay between structure and fluidity, and the seamless transitions between tension and release. A technique is never simply up or down, strong or weak, but rather a carefully orchestrated wave of energy that spirals through the body and into the opponent. By internalizing this duality, the practitioner moves beyond mechanical application and into a state of natural, effortless power, where action and response become one.
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Six and nine, on the other hand, represent the fundamental movement patterns underlying every technique in our syllabus. These numbers are not arbitrary; they serve as visual guides to the natural spirals, rotations, and directional flows that define Aiki Jujutsu. Whether expressed through footwork, the path of energy through the body, or the rotation of the tanden, the interplay of six and nine provides a technical roadmap for the execution of technique.
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​The number six represents an upward-expanding spiral energy that rises, unfurls, and extends outward. This corresponds to Aiki Age, where force lifts, expands, and uproots, creating an effortless wave of motion that disrupts the opponent’s center. It is the uncoiling motion, the lifting breath, the outward spiral that projects and destabilizes.

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​The number nine symbolizes a downward, grounding spiral energy that sinks, compresses, and coils inward. This reflects the principle of Aiki Sage, where force is directed downward, drawing the opponent into a compromised state and rooting the practitioner’s own structure for stability and control. It is the sinking breath, the folding wave, the inward spiral that absorbs and neutralizes. 

When the numbers are placed together, we also have a visual representation of the Taiji, itself a symbol of dual opposing forces.

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​In this way, techniques in Aiki Jujutsu are powered by an invisible crankshaft, an internal mechanism that converts linear movement into rotational energy. Just as the crankshaft serves as the backbone of an internal combustion engine, synchronizing its moving parts and ensuring efficient power transfer, the body’s internal structure must function in a similar manner to generate and redirect force effortlessly.
 
The crankshaft transforms the straight-line motion of pistons into smooth, continuous rotation, just as Aiki principles convert direct force into spiraling, wave-like motion. When properly engaged, the body does not resist or collide with an opponent’s force; instead, it absorbs, redirects, and amplifies it through rotational mechanics.
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​Through the use of the DFL, SBL, and other interconnected fascial pathways, the tanden and meimon rotate like a gyroscope, projecting energy outward in a controlled and efficient manner. This internal rotation is not merely a conceptual idea but a tangible, biomechanical process that allows the body to generate force without relying on muscular strength alone.
 
Like a gyroscope, which maintains its stability through continuous spinning motion, the tanden serves as the central axis around which energy flows. The coordinated engagement of the DFL and SBL creates a balanced tension, allowing the meimon to act as a secondary point of rotation. This relationship between front and back, expansion and contraction, ensures that force is never stagnant but instead cycles dynamically through the body in waves and spirals. By harnessing this gyroscopic effect, techniques in Aiki Jujutsu gain an added dimension of power. Rather than pushing or pulling in a linear fashion, the practitioner creates rotational energy that projects force outward in all directions. This omnidirectional movement allows for effortless control over an opponent’s balance, as their center is continuously drawn into the spiraling motion. 

By internalizing these principles, Aiki Jujutsu becomes more than a collection of techniques. It evolves into an expression of natural law, where movement is fluid, force is redirected rather than resisted, and power is generated through structure rather than brute strength. Just as a gyroscope maintains its balance through continuous motion, so too does the martial artist achieve effortless control through dynamic, wave-like energy. In the end, the study of three, six, and nine is not about mysticism. It is about efficiency, structure, and mastery of motion. Those who embrace these principles will find that their practice transcends mere mechanics, opening the door to a deeper, more profound understanding of Aiki and its limitless potential.

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