Shintaido

1. Shintaido A New Art of Movement and Life Expression

2. What is Shintaido? Expression throughbody movement goesdirectly to the coreof our being. - Hiroyuki Aoki, Founder of Shintaido

3. About Shintaido is a unique combination of martial arts and body movement. It has been called a moving meditation. In Japanese, Shintaido means "new body way." Shintaido's forms exemplify openness and freedom. The movements of Shintaido provide a new way of experiencing our relationship with ourselves, others and nature. Shintaido is also a healing art, and a form of artistic expression.

4. About Shintaido was started in Japan in the 1960's under the leadership of Mr Hiroyuki Aoki, with a group of martial artists, musicians, actors, visual artists, and others who wished to combine traditional wisdom with aspirations for peace, freedom and equality. 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

5. Shintaido has been described as a “cosmic martial art” Shintaido is a way of learning that comes out of the rich tradition of Eastern arts* that could be called ‘action-learning’ or ’integral education’. *Mudra or kata that hold the Tao or truths of the Universe that allow us to experience Beingness – to experience Life directly.

6. How is Shintaido different from other martial arts? • Offers practical applications for everyday life • Puts emphasis on continuous development and learning (in addition to a study of form) • Includes arrangements of individual, partner, small and large group movement • Uses improvisation and expression • Can be a creative outlet for expressing emotions • Thinks that "The body is a message of the universe" • Offers no coloured belts or competitive events • Approaches the martial arts from a spiritual and artistic perspective, rather than as fighting arts • Offers outdoor practice into which natural elements like wind and water are incorporated • Fosters a strong sense of community within classes

7. How is Shintaido similar to other martial arts? • Builds confidence and develops energetic awareness • Draws on fundamental physical forms and movements (kata) • Offers a body-mind discipline and path of personal development • Relies upon strong teacher-­student and senior-­junior student relationships for teaching and learning • Includes both hard and soft forms, "empty hand" techniques as well as practice with traditional weapons • Has cultural influences from its country of origin, Japan, creating a bicultural context for learning • Offers examinations to assess practitioners’ abilities • Uses certain forms and etiquette to encourage respect, responsibility and safety during practice

8. “It’s intelligent movement” – David Franklin, Shintaido Instructor

9. “Just as a map can show us a previously unknown road, Shintaido can be a guide in solving problems of the mind and human relationships. In a larger sense, by showing us how to move our bodies according to natural law, it can be a guide in our cosmic relationships as well. Thus, Shintaido can be considered a text book for self-education and self-training in our lives.”Hiroyuki Aoki Shintaido: A New Art of Movement and Life Expression (1982) p.20

10. Who is Shintaido for? • Shintaido attracts people who are interested in change, self-development, and re-connecting with their bodies, their community, their inner world.   • Amongst those who practice around the world, there are musicians, writers, actors, dancers, artists and professionals. • Practitioners range from children to seniors, from the extremely athletic to those physically challenged. • Shintaido is open to everyone. • Students are encouraged to expand their range of movement and explore their own physical and mental limits. “You don’t need to play sport to move.” Shane Gould, Australian Olympian (Q&A, ABC TV, July 2012) “Keep fit and healthy so everyday life is easier.” Louise Sauvage, Paralympian (Q&A, ABC TV, July 2012)

11. How it can benefit “..traditional kata show us how to survive a critical situation, and at the same time, teach us breathing techniques which enable us to acquire the highest level of concentration.” Hiroyuki Aoki Shintaido: A New Art of Movementand LifeExpression(1982) p.25 “Shintaido allows me to come home into my body.”~ David Cooper “An essential part of Shintaido is about learning to leave behind our hindrances, and our experiences, to become our natural selves and live life to the full. What I do know is that Shintaido offers a framework to support our lives, and to explore these fundamental issues. Or just to be.”~ Deborah Evans “During keiko (practice)/meditation we play, we learn how to play.”~ Gianni Rossi, Senior Instructor, Shintaido Italy “The alchemy of heart and mind working together and daring each one of us to expand and be more and more fully who, in fact, we actually are.  I am who I am.”~ Alyson Hallett

12. What it actually is “Shintaido is first and foremost a body movement and must be experienced with your body. In this way you will discover a wealth of untapped talent and will begin to develop the full range of your potential and ability.”

13. What it actually is (cont) “When we start Shintaido, we must begin by first softening the hardened and distorted parts of our body to return our body to its natural condition. …we must rediscover what is natural for us through our bodies…little by little, by removing muscular stiffness through various exercises, you will find that your feelings will become calm and gentle…an original power which was asleep in the deepest part of your being will awaken, and you will discover a new expanding sense of yourself and your life in the three-dimensional world which characterizes the Shintaido program.” Hiroyuki Aoki Shintaido: A New Art of Movementand LifeExpression(1982) p.20

14. What it actually is (cont) The class format consists of warm-ups, more vigorous exercises, fundamental movements, partner practice and sometimes kata, or traditional movement forms. You will probably hear some Japanese terms used for counting and to announce the beginning and ending of class and certain activities. It is standard form to bow to one’s partner before and after a partner exercise, to recognize the practice relationship and your mutual responsibility for safety.

15. Other features • Movement with our whole body without straining any one part • Open hands used a lot • Uses voice at times - vowels A, E, I, O, Um • Stretching and warm ups • Following partner - learning mastery of self, space, timing • Kumite or pair work that energises, challenges and sensitises • You’re often asked to use your imagination or look far • Soft and still to dynamic forms

16. “To obtain the greatest effect with the least amount of energy, we should not depend on the power which originates from a single part of the body, such as our arms or legs. Instead we must use our holistic power which can only be found by removing all the tension from our body. By making our whole body soft and fluid, our movement will naturally proceed in the direction of our aim, carrying with it our hands and feet, our arms and legs and all the parts of our body in exactly the right balance and motion.” Hiroyuki Aoki Shintaido: A New Art of Movementand LifeExpression(1982) p.41

17. Tenso – stretching to the sky

18. Kumite – partner exercise

19. How can I start? • Contact Michael and Vera info@shintaido-australia.com • Arrange for an Introductory Session or series of sessions with a group of 6-12 people. • Invite your members to look at this powerpoint and other resources on the website. • Be respectful of the space and each other during the session. • Come with an open mind and try the forms without preconceived ideas. For current classes in Katoomba please email Michael or Vera info@shintaido-australia.com Wear loose comfortable clothing and light shoes.

20. Links British ShintaidoEuropean Shintaido includes:France• Italy• Germany• Switzerland• Czech RepublicShintaido-Shiatsu Centre FranceJapanese ShintaidoPacific ShintaidoClear introduction about Shintaido Shintaido North East AmericaShintaido FarmPhoto gallery of FarmShintaido of AmericaBooks, booklets, videos Photo gallery Shintaido in BC Canada Life Exercise HF ItoTaimyo for World Peace network Shintaido Rio de Janeiro Shintaido Australia