1  INTRODUCTION

    The "Secrets of Aikido" are all those things you hear and see everyday of study that run off of you like water off of a goose.  Then one day, when you are ready for them, pieces fall into place like a giant puzzle.  You ask yourself, "Why didn't anybody tell me sooner?"  This document contains a few of those everyday Aikido secrets.  Are you ready for them?  [May we, at this point, suggest you pick up a copy of "Secrets of Aikido, Volume One", also known as "S.O.A."?  That way we won't need to repeat ourselves so much.  What follows is a severely abbreviated introduction.]

    Aikido is a modern synthesis of ancient samurai fighting techniques, as well as a philosophy of peace, harmony and self-improvement.  While Aikido can be used effectively as self-defense, the purpose of Aikido training is not to prepare fighters for combat, but to develop calmness, mental focus, physical health, and harmonious social relationships.  The word Aikido can be translated as "the way of harmony with the powers of nature."

    Because Aikido techniques depend upon balance, precision, and timing rather than speed or strength, they can be practiced by nearly everyone, regardless of sex, age, or size.  There is something for everyone in Aikido, whether you want a physical workout, to learn self-defense and self-confidence, or to become One with the Ki of Universe.  There are no competitions, because you study Aikido by helping others, and thereby helping yourself.  In fact, what you learn today, you can teach someone else tomorrow.

    ...has been covered in "Secrets of Aikido, Volume One" and in other excellent texts.  Please procure them and study further.

    Aikido With Ki (Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido) is a self defense that utilizes Ki Development so that even under attack, you will keep your mind and body coordinated, blend with the attack and return the attacker's power back to him.  This is as O'Sensei wanted: a strictly defensive art where competition is forbidden.  To compete means you have to be offensive, which is against the philosophy of Aikido.

    Most self-defense techniques have destruction as the ultimate goal.  However, by utilizing Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, it is possible to move attackers without even touching them, thus allowing you to teach an attacker a lesson without doing harm.  You could, for example, be helping an over-fortified friend.  Also, keep in mind that any weapon you might use can be turned against you.  So, instead of staring down the barrel of your own gun, or facing a major lawsuit because you had the audacity to defend your life, you might instead walk away in control of a nasty situation.

    The throws of Ki-Aikido are fluid, the movements are like a dance.  Although an effective system of self-defense which uses the principles of Ki in the execution of its techniques, the purpose of the training is not to beat an opponent but to learn how to control oneself.  The study of Ki-Aikido promotes self-confidence and self-discipline.

    O'Sensei often said, "The best technique is to avoid combat."  It was his vision that Aikido would be the ultimate tool to create a brotherhood of man and protect all life.  Christianity teaches us that when struck, we should turn the other cheek.  Aikido teaches us that we should turn the cheek before we are struck.  This way, no-one commits a sin.  Therefore, Aikido is active non-violence.

    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.

    The New Jersey Ki Society, run by Terry Pierce, is the N.J. Headquarters for Ki Society, and reports directly to Master Koichi Tohei of Ki No Kenkyukai, H.Q. Tokyo, Japan.  It is the requirement of Ki Society International that the Chief Instructors of each State or Federation meet once a year with the Chief Instructor of Ki Society International.  This is to monitor the teaching and update the techniques of each, so we are always uniform with Ki No Kenkyukai H.Q. in Japan.

    The Chief Instructor of New Jersey is Terrence (Terry) Pierce.  He started studying Aikido in 1960 under Air Force Sergeant Robert Danza.  In 1963, Pierce studied under Master Yoshimitsu Yamada of N.Y. Aikikai.  In 1965, Pierce co-founded the N.J. Aikikai in Merchantville, N.J.  In 1968, he became the Chief Instructor of the South Jersey Aikikai on Long Beach Island, N.J.  In 1975, he founded the N.J. Ki Society in Riverton, N.J. (officially recognized in 1976 by certification).  In 1978, he was appointed Chief Instructor of N.J. by Master Shizuo Imaizumi, 7th degree black belt (DAN), then Chief Instructor of the United States for Ki Society International.  In 1983, while studying at Ki Society H.Q. in Japan, Pierce was appointed a Leader in the Ki No Genri Jissen Kai.  Upon return from Japan, Sensei Pierce received his 4th DAN in Aikido from the Ki Society under Shizuo Imaizumi.  Pierce holds an Assistant and an Associate Lectureship Certificate for instructing Ki as well as a Chuden rank in Ki Development.  In January 1991, Pierce received his 5th DAN in Aikido from the Ki Society under the current Chief Instructor of the United States, Koichi Kashiwaya, 6th DAN.

    Sensei Pierce has been featured in Who's Who in Karate and other Martial Arts 1982/83 (first edition), Who's Who in American Martial Arts 1984/85 (second edition), and Who's Who in American Martial Arts 1986/87 (third edition).

    For information on how to get classes for your organization, into your school system, or how to join an established class, please contact the New Jersey Ki Society.  We will also lecture and/or hold workshops in Ki Development and/or Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido for any group, school or organization.

    Classes for the N.J. Ki Society are (subject to change):

    The answers to these questions can be found somewhere in this document.

1. Did you buy a copy of Secrets of Aikido, Volume 1?  If not, why don't you!!!
2. ...