Ki Dialogue – Richard Sarco-Thomas
The T&P Spectrum for this workshop is: Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Red
Research interest
My own interest and engagement in this experiment is to have the opportunity to share that which calls me to the jam. My questions include:
What is happening energetically when we are in a state of physical consensual communion with another/others? Where do the barriers naturally come in and where they dissipate? What defines awake: immediate, constant, surrender, compassion, powerful, vulnerable, aggressive, undetectable, undeniable, integral and paradoxical?
Research Proposal – Ki Dialogue
Just as contact improvisation can be perceived as a series of dance moves, tricks and learnt acrobatics, Aikido can also be seen as a sequence of martial techniques likened when performed well, to a dance. The reality for me however, is that the essence of these two art forms could not be further from this understandable misconception. It lies somewhere in the intimacy of a graceful oblivion which, when I try to think through, conceptualise or anticipate often becomes mechanical, uninspirational and cumbersome instead of vital, frank and breathtaking.
In this class/lab we will explore:
- unilateral/multi-directional Ki extension
- directional awareness/clarification
- a touch based sense of bodily articulation
- injury prevention
- awareness of muscle tension/relaxation and its clear links with mental tension and or projection
- principles of traditional Ki Aikido in order that we might then bring them with us to the jam
- surrender to the naturally occurring oscillations of contrasting forces that arise from the act of two bodies moving together
As well as Koichi Tohei’s principals of non-hierarchy and universal love, in my experience trickery, disappearance, play and seduction are all woven into the art of peace.
This class/lab will be held similar to a traditional Aikido dojo class, consisting of the formal exploration of martial techniques including immobilization.
Read Richard Sarco-Thomas’ biography