Aikido and Psychology
It may seem paradoxical to include martial arts practice as an important aspect to being a therapist. When we think of the martial arts, words such as, "opponent" "defeat", and "against" often come to mind. However, Aikido differs from disciplines such as karate, tai chi, and even yoga because it emphasizes the importance of blending with your partner. In Aikido, as in therapy, it is necessary to read body language and understand the intention of the person with whom you are working. These are some of the fundamental reasons that ITP requires the study of Aikido in our Residential Programs.
The Founder of Aikido, its first sensei, or teacher, forbade competition. The relationship between therapist and client is unlike any other; it is important for the therapist to create a safe space for the client and to be aware of his or her own emotional state before the session starts.
Sue Ann McKean, an Aikido teacher at ITP, says that, "Aikido helps bridge the body and the brain. It gives you experience with the physical connection necessary in transpersonal psychology, while teaching you to be grounded and centered. Aikido helps with knowing where the boundaries are, with containing and setting aside your own feelings and with knowing how and when to blend with the energy of your partner."
McKean goes on to state that in Aikido classes, "The partner shows where it is that we need to grow. The successful practice of Aikido requires the ability to shift, and when that shift cannot occur, a blockage is often the reason" that the shift is prevented. In transpersonal psychology, as with virtually any therapeutic practice, it is important that the therapist be able to modify his or her responsiveness to a client’s behavior. If the client is projecting; that is, externalizing his or her own emotional state onto the therapist, then the therapist would need to have a different reaction to that situation than if the client had had a moment of insight and needed heartfelt, empathic connection.
Robert Frager, one of the founders of ITP and a longtime aikido practitioner, says, "The principles of transpersonal psychology must be embodied to become real. Otherwise, they are merely idealistic philosophy. Aikido and the other body aspects of the six areas of study at ITP make it possible for us to embody transpersonal principles."
Frager elaborates on the mind-body connection between aikido and transpersonal psychology by adding, "Aikido teaches us to center ourselves and to deal with our own aggression and control of power. It is important to be comfortable with power, and aikido shows physical power in a concrete way, on the mat. It teaches how to control your own power in response to someone else’s."
Frager points out that practicing aikido is gratifying because, due to its physical nature, it provides instant feedback.
Aikido at ITP
Students at ITP learn Aikido practices that are focused on developing therapeutic presence, staying centered when challenged by clients, and blending empathically with clients. The competent psychologist needs to deal effectively, powerfully, and caringly with his or her clients, often in potentially volatile and highly charged emotional situations. Because Aikido deals specifically with conflict and its peaceful resolution, the study of Aikido, complete with its philosophy and practice methods, therapists report that it is helpful in keeping them grounded, centered, and connected within themselves while simultaneously being more sensitive and aware of the client. Aikido practice powerfully affects the therapist’s ability to be present and effective in therapy. For more on this, read Aikido and Psychotherapy: A Study of Psychotherapists who are Aikido Practitioners (PDF file, 131 kb).
The objective in Aikido is to join one’s personal ki (energy) with universal ki to achieve ultimate harmony (ai). Aikido emphasizes working with a partner, rather than grappling or fighting against an opponent as in competitive tournaments. The essence of the practice is the blending of movements and breathing (waza) which physically creates harmony in conflictual encounters. Aikido is fundamentally a practice that develops mind-body-spirit connection. It has been described as moving meditation. The essence of spirituality is experiencing a sense of connection to something larger, something that transcends our everyday mental chatter or egos. Aikido as a practice develops a connection to the sacred, to ourselves, with other humans, and also to nature.
As a mind-body-spirit discipline, Aikido cultivates the development of the whole person of the therapist, not just their intellect. Mind and body must be coordinated in Aikido. This trains the attention and brings about other changes in consciousness that are central to creating the healing presence so important in therapy. A therapist who can maintain a calm state of mind, free from fears and illusions of the past or of an imagined future, can relate to others empathically. The ability to relax and blend in the face of conflict, and to enhance sensitivity to self and clients, are attributes the psychotherapist cannot simply adopt as a philosophy. One must also train the body. As William Shakespeare wrote, "By my body’s action teach my mind" (Coriolanus, Act III. Scene II).
Aikido has a 60 year tradition of practice that is carried on by the lead instructor, Robert Frager, who was a student of O’Sensei, the founder of Aikido. The ITP dojo is a place of beauty with an original calligraphy of O’Sensei.
