On Air

Before Thanksgiving I had the opportunity to talk about Denver Ki-Aikido and Chandler Resources on the internet radio station KZKO. It was a great experience. The interviewers, Rob Richfield, station owner, and J. Todd Underhill, poet host of World Poetry Open Mic, were gracious and upbeat, with lots of great questions and insights (listen to the interview below).

Public speaking, especially extemporaneously to a large audience, can be intimidating. Fortunately for me, I get to talk about how to accomplish the very thing I need to do, that is, stay cool under pressure in order to keep my mind in gear and communicate effectively.

One of the focusing techniques from Ki-Aikido I described on the KZKO Report involves bringing awareness to one’s center of balance (in the abdomen, just below the belly button). The technique helps settle jitters and focus the mind, as well as enhance the functioning of the instrument of communication – the voice. When I’m centered I have better posture, which means better breath support, and I relax, which means all of the muscles involved in speaking remain agile and at my command.

As those of you who follow this blog know, the formal Japanese name for the style of aikido I practice and teach is Shin Shin Toitsu, which means “heart, mind, and body threaded together as one.” Verbal communication is a great example of shin shin toitsu, as mind, feeling, and movement thread together in a common cause. That is, communication consists of ideas and information, it’s motivated and shaped by how we feel (angry, excited, bored, fearful, etc), and it requires the coordinated movement of all of the muscles that make up the instrument of the voice.

The art of aikido itself is a great example of dialogue in movement. Aikido means “the way of harmonizing with energy” – it’s about creating connection by being at one’s best and respecting and moving with someone else. I enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to connect with Rob and J. Todd on air.

Here’s the KZKO Report interview: