A financial adviser with an Edward Jones office in Greenville, SC, Michael Wolfe holds a fourth-degree black belt in aikido. Michael Wolfe also teaches the marital art at a local dojo called South Carolina Ki Aikido. More than a way of self defense, aikido seeks to build a life based on positive life principles. In its efforts to help students excel in aikido practice and life, South Carolina Ki Aikido emphasizes the four basic principles of aikido. Whether beginners or experts, all aikido students rely on these principles to help them master movements and channel power. The four principles of aikido are keep one point, relax completely, keep weight underside, and extend ki. The “one point” that aikido practitioners must keep their focus upon resides in the lower abdomen. By concentrating mental energy on this point, they can keep themselves balanced and powerful. Because stress is a waste of this power, aikido practitioners should conserve their energy by ensuring that they are completely relaxed. The principle of “keeping weight underside” refers to maintaining a low overall physical center of gravity by allowing the full weight of each body part to rest at its lowermost point. A purely mental principle, the extension of ki involves accessing the ki power and energy within all people, allowing it to flow into every aspect of life.

1. Michael Wolfe

2. Introduction
A financial adviser with an Edward Jones office in Greenville, SC, Michael Wolfe holds a fourth-
degree black belt in aikido. Michael Wolfe also teaches the marital art at a local dojo called
South Carolina Ki Aikido. More than a way of self defense, aikido seeks to build a life based on
positive life principles.
In its efforts to help students excel in aikido practice and life, South Carolina Ki Aikido
emphasizes the four basic principles of aikido. Whether beginners or experts, all aikido
students rely on these principles to help them master movements and channel power.

3. The four principles of aikido are keep one point, relax completely, keep weight underside,
and extend ki. The “one point” that aikido practitioners must keep their focus upon resides
in the lower abdomen. By concentrating mental energy on this point, they can keep
themselves balanced and powerful. Because stress is a waste of this power, aikido
practitioners should conserve their energy by ensuring that they are completely relaxed.
The principle of “keeping weight underside” refers to maintaining a low overall physical
center of gravity by allowing the full weight of each body part to rest at its lowermost
point. A purely mental principle, the extension of ki involves accessing the ki power and
energy within all people, allowing it to flow into every aspect of life.