When you were born,
the whole world was born with you
Kosho Uchiyama
About
Kitaido, founded by Ken Waight, was established with the assistance of French practitioners, notably Joël Mucci, along with instructors and students from England, France and Israel.
Drawing inspiration from various martial arts, Kitaido integrates both physical techniques and the expressive, therapeutic elements found in Western movement systems.
Seishin Kitaido serves as a pathway for individuals to explore and express themselves through movement. This adaptable system evolves with its practitioners, offering stepping stones and landmarks that guide them through the dynamic realms of movement, body awareness, breath, expression, and energy.
Its aim is to eliminate the barriers that hinder our connection to holistic mind-body awareness and the inherent power within us, empowering individuals to fully express themselves in life.
Ken Waight began his journey into the realms of movement, energy, and bodywork in 1963 as a disciple of Karate Master M. Harada. His extensive training in martial arts laid the foundation for the principles of Kitaido.
In 1971, he traveled to Japan to study under Master Shigeru Egami and later became a student of Master Aoki, a prodigy of Egami and the founder of Shintaido, further enriching his understanding of movement.
Waight's ongoing studies in Zen, influenced by Genpo Merzal Roshi, a Dharma heir to Meazumi Roshi, have also shaped his approach to the movement practices integral to Kitaido.
Throughout this journey, Waight delved into acupuncture and shiatsu, earning qualifications in both disciplines.
In the mid-1980s, he studied Western movement therapy and participated in the inaugural Diploma Course at Roehampton College, led by Professor Marcia Leventhal.
In 1992, with the help of his colleagues from France, notably fellow instructor Joël Mucci and students from England, France and Israel, he opened the Green Forest Centre in France, dedicated to research and practice. This Centre allows students to engage in intensive, traditional live-in practices, reflecting Waight’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of traditional methods while exploring innovative perspectives on body, movement, energy, and healing. He teaches in the U.K., Israel, France, and America.
“...How we move and how we express ourselves through our body has a huge effect on our life energy. Rigid, tight bodies create rigid, inflexible movement patterns. In turn the flow or connection of energy through our body will be limited and inhibited, affecting the way that we feel or perceive ourselves and the world around us.”
Ken Waight, from his book "Kitaido: Energy, Movement and Life"
Kitaido: Energy, Movement and Life
Book by Ken Waight
In 'Kitaido: Energy, Movement and Life,' founder Ken Waight discusses the concept of how practice through movement changes the way we are in our body and mind.
He emphasizes the importance of moving our bodies beyond our kinesphere and explores the landscape of the body.
The book details how a system of body practice can enhance our lives and provides insights into the evolution of Kitaido.
Waight also examines its foundational practices and its close connections to Zazen meditation and traditional martial arts.
This thought-provoking book offers a rich understanding of the interplay between energy, movement, and life.
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