At the New Jersey Ki Society Real Dojo we practice Shin Shin Toitsu (Mind and Body Coordinated) Aikido which helps the practitioner stay calm, flexible and efficient in their daily activities.  It is a martial art as soft as the wind and as powerful as a hurricane.
We also practice Toitsu Do/Ki Development which helps the practitioner stay centered, relaxed and focused; it is meditation on the move.
We learn by teaching, teach by learning and try to have fun doing it.

The Chief Instructor at NJKS is Terry Pierce (Nana Dan [7th degree Black Belt] in Ki-Aikido, Jo Den in Ki Development as well as a Ki Lecturer).  Pierce Sensei can be reached at 856-829-7323 voice and fax (note new area code!).

The Assistant/Hell Dojo Instructor at NJKS is Bill Orwat (San Dan, Chu Den).

The Outreach Program Instructor at NJKS is Bengt Lindblad (Sho Dan, Sho Den).

These arts teach Universal Principles used by successful athletes and artists, as well as ordinary folks all over the world.  The techniques can be practiced by almost anyone, from early childhood to late elderhood.  In fact, continous practice may help you age more gracefully, promote long life and sustain good health. 

Examples: a man without arms practices successfully in Virginia; a boy "destined" to remain a cripple has avoided that fate in New Jersey; a man vowing to become "strong" in 1953 is now an 8th degree black belt at age 93 in Hawaii; a high ranking instructor in Japan avoided "certain death" (doctor's verdict) after a devastating car crash which killed his wife.

Did we forget to say "halleluja, praise the Force and pass the sake?"  (Truth to be told, a few stubbed toes, sprained ankles and sore shoulders may be experienced along the way.)

AIKIDO is made up of AI = Harmony, KI = Spirit or "life force" and DO = the Way.  So we can say that Aikido literally means "The Way to Harmony with the Spirit."  Aikido is a martial art which uses the energy of the attacker to do what is necessary.  Thus, no attack, no defense, ergo, peace in the valley.  In essence, by attacking, the attacker defeats him-(or her)-self.  It was developed as an aid to personal development - not a form of religion - although the Founder of Aikido, O'Sensei Morihei Uyeshiba, was a deeply religious man.  One could say that Uyeshiba translated Newton's principles of gravity, centrifugal force, and kinetic energy into a graceful dance.  Everything in Aikido is done in big circles - the motion that requires the least amount of energy expenditure.  In no other martial art is it such a weakness to be strong, in no other martial art is it such a big advantage to be small, and in no other martial art does the mind rule over muscle so completely.  The old saying, "The harder they come, the harder they fall" summarizes Aikido in a nutshell.

Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (Aikido with Mind and Body Coordinated) or Ki-Aikido was created by Koichi Tohei Sensei after Uyeshiba's death.  Through his studies, Tohei had realized that the mind leads the body and that this is what made Uyeshiba's techniques so powerful.  Ki-Aikido teaches us to lead with the mind so that the body will follow more easily.  Ki-Aikido teaches the practitioner to perform with confidence, even when under extreme pressure.  Ki-Aikido helps develop spacial and environmental awareness, which is 90% of practical self-defense, as well as stress management, relaxation, balance, flexibility, coordination and cooperation.

Shin Shin Toitsu Do (Ki Development/Coordination of Mind and Body) is not a martial art, yet Aikido and other martial arts are built upon its principles.  It literally means the Way to Coordinate the Mind and Body.  Toitsu Do teaches us to be powerful without using strength.  Toitsu Do teaches stress management, relaxation, balance, flexibility, focus, posture, coordination and confidence.  Toitsu Do is taught to many leading figures in sport and industry in Japan and is acknowledged by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.  Golf, baseball and shooting scores (to mention but a few) can thus be improved.  It is essentially an aerobic exercise program for both mind and body.  (Tai Chi can be thought of as a Chinese cousin.)

Ki (or Chi) means energy or life force or Universal Spirit.  The (Japanese) Ki symbol in the upper left corner of this page is literally a boiling pot of rice.  By definition, without Ki there can be no life.  The "Force," central issue in the Star Wars movies, was derived from the concept of Ki.  A good expose' on Ki from a non-Ki Society site.

Ki Breathing is part of Shin Shin Toitsu Do.  The premise of Ki Breathing is to not only exchange air and replenish oxygen but also circulation of energy, or Ki.

Kiatsu Ho means pressing with Ki, a way to heal, similar to Shiatsu, but involves sending energy to the recipient rather than just physical pressure.

Misogi means spiritual cleansing.  There are many way to do this; among others, River Misogi, Misogi Breathing and the ever popular New Jersey Doll House Misogi :-)

Koichi Tohei Sensei is the Founder of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido.  He is the person responsible for bringing Ki and Aikido to the United States in 1953.  Tohei obtained a 10th degree black belt in Aikido, and become Chief Instructor of Aikikai Hombu in Tokyo, directly under the founder of Aikido, Master Morihei Uyeshiba.  Tohei founded Ki Society/Ki No Kenkyukai in 1971.

Sensei means "instructor" or "teacher."  O'Sensei - as in Morihei Uyeshiba - means "great teacher."  In Aikido, the premise is that we learn by teaching and teach by learning.