The Secrets Guard Themselves

Author: Bret Gordon

"Aiki requires an enormous amount of solo training. Only amateurs think that techniques are enough. They understand nothing." - Yukiyoshi Sagawa.

​A common idiom in the internal arts is that the secrets guard themselves. Essentially, you can openly share high level internal martial arts with the masses without fear of it being learned unintentionally for two major reasons.

​First, the body mechanics of internal martial arts are foreign to the general public (especially other martial artists) and so while some may be able to regurgitate and copy specific partner drills, they won't come close to understanding the underlying principles in how to actually make it work outside of those drills.

​Secondly, the work to actually integrate the body to develop any measure of connectivity is boring and hard. These exercises, collectively known as Tanren 鍛錬 (forging), condition the body by strengthening the connective tissue (fascia, tendons, and ligaments). They also create neural pathways to consciously access lesser used muscle groups to generate movement and force without exerting conventional muscular strength.

In our system of American Yoshinkan, we have several categories of Tanren, including Aiki Taiso, Suburi, Kiko, and Naiko. Some of these come directly from our Daito Ryu origins, while some were adopted from my cross-training in other internal arts, such as Baguazhang. Collectively, they are the boring work that the casual observer has no interest in. Tanren is the "secret" that they continually chase, and consistently fall short of. So for those who are serious about developing Aiki 合気and Nairyoku 内力, here are those secrets...

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Aiki Taiso ​合気体操

Aiki Taiso are exercises to improve posture, movement, and body awareness. While they also include things like ukemi (breakfalling) and ashi sabaki (foot work), there are several aiki specific movements we practice. 

1. Tekubi Kosa 手首交差​

2. Ryote Mizu Age ​兩手水上げ

3. Funakogi Undo ​取り船運動

4. Enkei Nage Undo ​円形投げ運動

5. Ude Furi Undo ​腕振り運動

6. Kaihei Undo ​開閉運動

7. Shiburi ​絞り

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Suburi 素振り

Suburi is practice swinging with a weighted bokken, called suburito or furibo. Sword work is the basis of aiki, so it is only natural that it should be included in Tanren. We have two fundamental suburi exercises, designed to develop either coiling power as well as Aiki Age and Sage. 

1. Uke Nagashi ​受け流し

2. Kiri Oroshi ​斬り降ろし

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Kiko ​気功

The Japanese equivalent of Qigong, Kiko serve numerous purposes. While there is definitely an overlap in application, there are both martial and healing kiko patterns. Kiko are movement and breathing exercises that from a healing perspective help to pressurize and oxygenate the body by increasing blood flow, flushing out stagnation and inflammation while dispersing fresh nutrients. From a martial perspective, Kiko helps to strengthen the mind-body connection, as well as the connective tissue that holds it together. 

1. Tenchijin Dai Ichi ​天地人第一

2. Tenchijin Dai Ni ​天地人第二

3. Cho Kiko ​蝶気功

4. Yunomi Undo ​湯飲み運動

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Naiko 内功

The Japanese equivalent of Neigong, Naiko are isometric postures to assist in strengthening the connective tissue (fascia, tendons, and ligaments). There are numerous isometric postures we use, so in addition to Jin Sho Dachi 湛庄立 shown at the top of the article, here are 9 of the most common that I incorporate in my personal practice. 

Ondori Dachi 雄鶏立

Yama Dachi 山立

Ryu Dachi 龍立

Shishi Dachi 獅子立

Hebi Dachi 蛇立

Ho-o Dachi 鳳凰立

Saru Dachi 猿立

Kuma Dachi 熊立

Ikkakuju Dachi 一角獣立

Of course, in this article I haven't even started to touch on how these exercises accomplish what they're designed for, how to do them properly to achieve the desired results, or the various perceptual models used to create those neural pathways I mentioned. That is where jikiden (direct transmission) comes in, or did you think you could learn internal power without a legitimate teacher? The secrets continue to guard themselves...