August 2011
There are many thoughts on how to pass a Ki Test. Each Instructor will vary in his/her explanation; all of us do our best to get the point across to the student. It should be noted that there is ONLY one way to do the test and that is the way Headquarters has instructed us to perform the tests. They differ according to the level of the test.
Sho Kyu (the purpose of this test is to let the student understand the feeling of coordination/harmony/unity of mind and body oneness). I mention these three words because different individuals interpret/internalize the above words differently. I seem to have greater success when I talk of harmonizing mind and body.
Sho Kyu: stand to the left side of the student; look at the whole facial area. Touch their left shoulder with your right hand and then wait until you feel him relax and then push gently. (testing someone and attacking someone are two different things). Tests are ALWAYS gentle (not pushing or shoving).
Unbendable Arm: Student should have the feeling that he is in the ocean and a wave picks his arm up. It could feel like his arm is floating in the ocean. The most common mistake is that the student raises his arm with force/muscle and tries to out muscle the tester. To test, touch his wrist and elbow and apply pressure.
WEIGHT UNDERSIDE: Student keeps his arm in the same place; you touch his elbow and then push up gently. If the student resists his arm will go up. Wait until you feel him relax and then test again.
SITTING SEIZA: Teach the student to sit down from his one point. Stand to his left side and push his shoulder and then suddenly raise his arm. It is OK to do this once or to do it several times. Always ENCOURAGE the student, NEVER use negative words.
WEIGHT UNDERSIDE: Student keeps his arm in the same place; you touch his elbow and then push up gently. If the student resists his arm will go up. Wait until you feel him relax and then test again.
SITTING SEIZA: Teach the student to sit down from his one point. Stand to his left side and push his shoulder and then suddenly raise his arm. It is OK to do this once or to do it several times. Always ENCOURAGE the student, NEVER use negative words.
COMMON MISTAKES
SITTING AGURA: Have your left leg closest to your body. To pass the test you must lean forward a little bit. You can try this on yourself. Sit Agura & lean back & raise your left knee. Then lean forward & you will prove to yourself that you are stable. The same position is important when being pushed from behind. If you lean forward to much you will be pushed over.
RAISING BOTH ARMS: Swing them up naturally & let them stop naturally. If you decide where they should stop you will have great difficulty in passing the test. You should feel Ki running out your fingertips through the ceiling. If you cut your Ki by trying to pass the test (leaning forward or using muscle) it is very difficult to pass the test.
RAISING ONE ARM: Stand calmly, feel that you are in the ocean and a wave raises your arm. Feel that you are giving a gift to someone. This way your Ki is flowing and you are not trying to pass the test. KEEP GIVING DURING THE WHOLE TEST.
RISING ONE ARM AND ONE LEG: My advice is to practice this daily for at least one month prior to being tested. Stand in a natural position with your feet close together. With the same feeling of giving a gift let the ocean raise your arm & then your leg. Do NOT forget to extend Ki out of your other arm.