| In quantum physics, one of the foremost theories | | | | on the knowledge of ch'i through actual and |
| that promises to revolutionize how we see the | | | | practical instruction. |
| world is the theory of strings. The main premise | | | | One school that may be successful in being able |
| of this particular theory is that strings are the | | | | to teach what the ch'i is and how to be able to |
| most basic structure that makes up everything | | | | use it for one's own benefit is Aikido. At the heart |
| we can and cannot see within the physical world. | | | | of the spirituality and philosophy or Aikido is the ki, |
| Strings of course is just a word to label this most | | | | which is similar or perhaps, one and the same with |
| profound substance that theoretical physicists say | | | | what is otherwise known as the ch'i or qi. |
| dictate everything we see, perceive and have in | | | | Aikido's ki is the heart of the principle of this |
| and around us in this physical world. | | | | particular martial art. While technically, martial arts |
| Although no direct correlation has ever been | | | | are means for combat and war, Aikido is often |
| claimed between string theory and that of the | | | | known as the art of peace because it espouses a |
| principles of ch'i prevalent in the East, they share | | | | peaceful means towards aggression. Aikido ki, like |
| the same premise in the most basic sense that it | | | | in other concepts of ch'i teaches that there is a |
| is said that there is a basic energy substance that | | | | fundamental energy that can be harnessed. Aikido |
| underlie everything. In understanding the nature of | | | | ki being energy means that its substance is |
| this substance we are able to harness its power | | | | something that flows. |
| and utilize it. | | | | The principle of peace and relaxation taught by |
| The concept of ch'i or qi in Chinese and ki in | | | | Aikido presupposes the fact that the ki flows |
| Japanese, is very much relative to the type of | | | | more smoothly and strongly when it is |
| school that teaches it. Some say that ch'i is a | | | | uninterrupted. A better illustration might be |
| force separate from matter as we know it. | | | | something like, if water is ki, then to harness its |
| Some say that ch'i arises from matter. Still some | | | | power, it must be allowed to flow to produce |
| say that matter arises from ch'i. | | | | hydroelectric force. |
| What all schools have in common however is the | | | | This is why in Aikido, ki energy comes from being |
| fact that they all more or less say that ch'i is a | | | | relaxed. It is said that in the relaxed state, the |
| fundamental energy that can be harnessed to | | | | flow of ki is better aided. Aikido as a martial art is |
| bring power to oneself wither physically, mentally | | | | not about muscle strength or superior physical |
| or spiritually. With all the different premises that | | | | attributes. It is really about relaxation, flexibility |
| try to explain ch'i, it is clear that mere instructions | | | | and stamina. This allows a smaller person to be |
| in words will not be able to fully expound on what | | | | able to topple and throw a larger opponent during |
| ch'i is. Perhaps because of this, it is better to pass | | | | practice. |