To gain internal power

[John99]

I've heard you have to sacrifice quite a bit to gain internal power. Like one's family life to gain it.

Every thing has a price to pay or does it not?

[Carina Reinhardt]

I've heard you have to sacrifice quite a bit to gain internal power. Like one's family life to gain it.

Every thing has a price to pay or does it not?

There is time for everything and no gain without pain

[Cady Goldfield]

If you have a good teacher, are training because you love your art, and are dedicated to training correctly and with focus for even just an hour a day on your own, you will gain skill. Unless you're a career mercenary soldier, sacrificing a healthy and happy life is not necessary. Internal skills are not some kind of mystical magic that requires blood sacrifices. Just the same kind of focused hard work that it takes to gain skill in any discipline.

[pgsmith]

If you have a good teacher, are training because you love your art, and are dedicated to training correctly and with focus for even just an hour a day on your own, you will gain skill. Unless you're a career mercenary soldier, sacrificing a healthy and happy life is not necessary. Internal skills are not some kind of mystical magic that requires blood sacrifices. Just the same kind of focused hard work that it takes to gain skill in any discipline.

Now you tell me!

That's ok, I'm not entirely sure my donating blood actually counted as a blood sacrifice, but I figured it was worth a shot!

[Cady Goldfield]

Now you tell me!

That's ok, I'm not entirely sure my donating blood actually counted as a blood sacrifice, but I figured it was worth a shot!

Blood donations are always needed and appreciated, as long as they're at a blood-donor center and not on the tatami.

[pgsmith]

Blood donations are always needed and appreciated, as long as they're at a blood-donor center and not on the tatami.

The only ones on the floor are the occasional finger poke if I miss my noto.

[hacchimoon]

I've heard you have to sacrifice quite a bit to gain internal power. Like one's family life to gain it.

Every thing has a price to pay or does it not?

Who the heck is that cult leader who said that?!

[Gene McGloin]

I think the major sacrifice concept is accurate for people with "real life" obligations, such as a career or having more than one job, long commutes or travel for their job and children or family. The necessary, and possibly lengthy, period of time it can take to gain these skills can be seriously impinged on by one's "real life" commitments.

[Cady Goldfield]

Internal power and aiki are not that complicated, and can be developed with the same investment of time and effort as any other pursuit that one finds worthwhile. The trick is in the mindset, and the willingness to put aside lifelong conditioning and belief to accept a body method that seems counter-intuitive to what we believe to be the "natural" way to move and utilize the muscles and connective tissues of the body.