In our daily training the Kihon Happo is an important component for the study of Budo Taijutsu and its importance is constantly referred.
How does the Kihon Happo behave, however, if we add other aspects e.g. those of the Yin and Yang? One of the two characters (kanji) of which the Kihon Happo consists is the KI , and one of his meanings in this connection is „basic". In addition, KI means also „energy, spirit, soul". The human life energy which is also known as QI. In the universal existence there is the positive QI and naturally that negative QI as well. The Yin Yang QI. The energy state in the body is called by Japanese physiotherapist as Kyo and Jitsu (what for a coincidence may you wonder!) and is to the Yin and Yang very similar, whereby the Kyo - Yin and the Jitsu - Yang is. A balanced energy state meant also a balanced Yin and Yang and this leads to the fact that body and spirit are in a condition of unity. If the energy state is disturbed, then the physician looks for the causes around these, to eliminate them. In the study of the Budo Taijutsu it behaves similarly. If one attend the training with joy and with positive attitude, then also the spirit and body will be develop continuously further and thereby one will be in a balanced stage of the training. If the training is attended, however, without joy and if this is unbalanced, then one must look for the cause at his roots. Thus one turns back to the basics (Sanshin and Kihon Happo) to strengthen and to „cure" these again, in order to bring the own Yin and Yang back in the equilibrium. By the flow of the universal QI through the 12 main Meridians the entire body is filled out with the life energy, which holds the human in an existential balance. Also in the Budo Taijutsu, by the flow of the Sanshin no Kata and Kihon Happo from one into another, will be obtained a unity which represents a evenly balance for our training. The Yin and Yang of Budo Taijutsu. If we would classify e.g. the forms of the Sanshin no Kata and Kihon Happo as energy centres, then we could assign a form to each main Meridian. 12 for the Yin meridian and 12 for the Yang meridian. Are all energy centres (Sanshin no Kata and Kihon Happo) in balance, so the development in the Essence of the BudoTaijutsu will be also harmoniously, balanced and flexible. The Yin Yang QI behaves in the whole like a magnet with its two poles, whereby one cannot be exist without the other one. If we now transfer this aspect to our training and we take e.g. the Jiryoku (the magnetic repelling and attracting) as starting point in such a way, we can (like a magnet) attract or repel. We must put, however, these two contrasts in balance, so that the rhythm will remain. In a technique e.g. we can implement the attack and the counter attack in the same rhythm so that both will flow from one to into another. Evenly like the Yin and Yang. By the study of the Yin and Yang we penetrate into ranges, beyond the contrasts. Thank you Hatsumi Sensei, for your lessons!! |
Kihôn Happô and Ying Yang
by Kostas Kanakis - Bujinkan Shihan