Shintaido, a Japanese word translated as ‘New Body Way’, is a unique system of movement that uses the body as a means of expression and communication. Incorporating both physical and artistic elements, it was created in Japan in the 1960s. Its roots lay in the traditional Japanese martial arts, Chinese medicine and Buddhist meditation techniques, while its creator Hiroyuki Aoki was also influenced by modern Western art and Christianity.
As well as being a practical martial art Shintaido is also a form of artistic expression, a healthy exercise, and a path of self-discovery and transformation. Shintaido is a unique combination of martial arts and body movement that cultivates the spirit along with the mind and body. It has been called a moving meditation.
Shintaido assumes that the challenges facing modern people are more rooted in emotional and psychological matters than physical. Shintaido offers body movements that aim to build the resources that to live better and develop a new 'way of being' that is more intuitive, aware and with less tension, this stems from the belif that the freer the body, the more effective its movements can be.
The hope of founder Hiroyuki Aoki was to create a martial art that could reach the level of great art, so beauty and fluidity are essential aspects. The practice of Shintaido brings with it a bodily awareness and receptivity to the many messages the body transmits so that it can be used as a tool to explore the individuals’ inner state of being, evolution, limitations and resources. The partner exercises aim to provide an opportunity to discover and develop the ability to communicate and affirm oneself.
Shintaido is practised with bare hands, but its very broad curriculum also includes bojutsu), involving the use of the long staff, and kenjutsu , using a wooden sword.
The first objective of Shintaido is to make the body and mind completely relaxed, fluid and flexible. Next it develops large movements through which we can express our vital energy and talents. Many exercises to open the body, especially the hips, the stomach, chest and hands. Practitioners aim to develop an open spirit with which they hope to approach life at large, and other people. Kumite, partner practices, allow us to test the effectiveness of the techniques we have learned: an open body, large movements and clear intention make the techniques effective. There is no competition. Each participant is encouraged to express him or herself freely and to discover his or her potential in a spirit of cooperation with, respect for and confidence in one another. A kumite may begin with a formal movement but is transformed progressively into a kind of free dance between two partners.
The Shintaido philosophy is grounded in body movement. It takes us to the core of our beings to express our highest aspirations:
· to find our true selves,
· to communicate with others,
· to become unified with nature,
· and to contribute to the struggle for world peace through the practice of Taimyo kata and the development of the worldwide Taimyo network.
No comments:
Post a Comment