Genki Dojo
Author:
Salvatore Ligama
Genki Dojo
Hello everyone!
For who don’t know my name is Salvo and I’m Dojo-cho of Genki Dojo.
Genki Dojo’s course started in March 2018 and in this moment I’ve a little group of students.
During all last year and currently I don’t stopped my course, when it’s possible I practice buki waza sessions outdoor with my students every week two times.
The principal focus of my message at my students is to feel their body during the practice and relaxing into the movements using the ki only when it’s necessary.
In this short article I will describe the meaning of my Dojo name.
Meaning of Genki
元気 = Genki 元 = Gen 気 = Ki
元 = lively, full of spirit, energetic, vigorous, vital, spiritual
気 = wellness, beautiful, fit body, healthy body
Genki is a Japanese word that doesn’t have a direct translation from English, it somehow means to have energy, vigor and health.
The kanji 元 気 means original spirit or good health and high vigor, the term Genki was used in ancient China, to refer to the primordial energy that composes all things (original spirit).
In choosing the name of my Dojo it was important not to do it casually!
In fact, the word Genki in its substance expresses a state of good health and high vigor.
Furthermore, Genki as mentioned above, expresses the original spirit (the primordial energy that generated all things) of which Aikido is also strongly intrinsic, through practice we cultivate and make this spirit alive in us.
Today this term in Japan is used in society in the form of a generic greeting:
O-Genki desu ka? How are you?
Genki desu, I’m fine.
Welcome to the Genki Dojo!
I wish everyone a good aikido practice.
Salvatore Ligama