Through every one of our bodies, a life energy flows, the primal energy that has kept on pulsating since the beginning of time. This embodied energy is relevant in all aspects of our physical, mental and emotional life.

Breathing, walking, taking a casual look around, engaging in handiwork, art, sports, meditation; feeling sorrow or joy; your way of thinking, creating, communicating - through all this, life energy flows.

Kiryuho is designed to help you touch, feel and nourish the basic rhythm of your bodymind in all these situations.

KI

KI (roughly equivalent to chi or prana) is the fundamental energy which makes all things what they are; creates, moves and accommodates all phenomena. In living creatures we can recognize it as life energy. Ki circulates in the human body and is the generating power of mental processes. Ki also becomes the activating force linking and interconnecting each being with every other, as well as the various dimensions of mind and body, internal and external, visible and invisible.

RYU

Ryu means flow, like the flow of a river. It denotes change and transformation in all things. In ∞Kiryuho it is not only the flow but also the STRUCTURE that supports it which is significant.

A river flows freely only when gaps in height exist on the land surface, providing a structure for the flow. In ∞Kiryuho we become sensitive to and manifest the hidden, enfolded Ki structure. This process of discovery is an essential element of the practice.

HO

Ho means law, dharma, or the order of things. In Kiryuho it also signifies the way in which Ki energy evolves through movement, in harmony with the essential order.

PRINCIPLES

THE MOEBIUS LOOP

At the heart of ∞Kiryuho is the Moebius loop. We can perceive in this loop the horizontal figure 8, a symbol of infinity, connection and energy. Through the Moebius loop, we can attain results for which long, arduous training was formerly thought necessary.

NO CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE EXISTS

This is tantamount to saying there are centers anywhere and everywhere. If you fix a certain point of function as THE center, you lose the flexible possibility of the moment.

HIDDEN POTENTIALS ARE SEALED WITHIN OUR BODIES

20th century physics has begun to uncover certain formidable potentialities sealed in matter. It is likewise possible to unfold seals in the human body which can activate enormous power in a human being. This is a process that must be entered into with great care.

LANGUAGE, IMAGINATION AND THE BODY ARE ALWAYS INTERCONNECTED

GRAMMAR OF THE BODY

When we look closely at our movements and behavior patterns in daily life, whether in work, play, art, sports, ritual or meditation, we notice a number of basic principles which are usually hidden from our consciousness.

We have called these principles the GRAMMAR OF THE BODY.∞Kiryuho has developed subtle and dynamic exercises based on this grammar.

There are three essential, interrelated aspects of life which determine what we are. LIFE POWER is basic energy, vitality in the bodymind. LIFE FEEL is communication with oneself, others, nature, the cosmos. LIFE DIRECTION is related to words and imagination.

The ∞Kiryuho exercises are structured so as to constantly refresh and maintain a harmonious balance of these three elements, thus helping us fully savor and realize the joy of living.

Grammar of the Body
Number 0

VITALIZING YOUR BREATH

Breathing is the basic beat of your life and all your activities. In ∞Kiryuho we attach more importance to changing the whole frame of mind that to special breathing techniques. The starting point is not to cling to techniques, but to be aware of your breathing, allowing this awareness to become your teacher.

Grammar of the Body
Number 1

RELEASING KI

When you release your eyes toward the sky o faraway mountains, with arms outstretched, you can feel whole body relax while being charged with energy. This involves releasing Ki which is, in effect, the interaction of your bodymind Ki with the Ki of the whole environment.

Grammar of the Body
Number 2

REDISCOVERING GRAVITY AS A BLESSING

Gravity is a force which enormously influences everything on earth and yet passes unnoticed most of the time. Gravity exerts pressure not only on the body but also on the mind.

There is a subtle technique in ∞Kiryuho which can sustain the tremendous energy of gravity and at the same time transform it into a blessing.

Grammar of the Body
Number 3

FEELING ALL MOVEMENTS AS FLOW

Movement and change are essentially flow. Life energy reveals its potential most fully in spiraling and figure eight movements, especially the Moebius loop.

Grammar of the Body
Number 4

CALLING, RIDING AND RELEASING THE WIND

Wind, a metaphor for Ki, blows and circulates through the body, creating a state of ecstatic consciousness. The whole body can smile with the deep joy of living. The bodymind is purified and exalted.

Effects of ∞Kiryuho

Practicing ∞Kiryuho is a process of awakening to the wonders of life and the universe. It is a dynamic artform that acts directly on the bodymind.

∞Kiryuho promotes psychological as well as physical flexibility and an innersense of well being. The release and concentration of Ki will bring about changes in your breathing and sense of rhythm, in your sensitivity and intuitive powers. You may become better at expressing yourself and your creative powers will be enhanced.

These changes will be accompanied by OBJECTIVE CHANGES IN YOUR BODY. As your Ki energy is activated, your muscle structure will change, resulting in transformation of posture and physique. Even if you are over 30 or 40 years old, your skull and the bones of your face, fingers, toes, waist, legs and chest will be transformed.

Virtually your whole framework could be changed, enabling you to change your whole life, if you wish, on a fundamental lever. Naturally, you will need to practice ∞Kiryuho for some months or years to bring about these changes.


HISTORY of KIRYUHO - KAJO Method

Founder Kajo Tsuboi

Kajo Tsuboi was born in 1939. He majored in psychology and graduated from Waseda University. While still a boy, he became interested in Japanese archery, Taoism and various forms of meditation including Ramakrishna and Vivekananda's way. He made contact with Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and practiced for many years. He also studied various dances, Seitai(ki-energy medical way), Shinto practice, etc. Gradually he began to understand the common order of the body and mind synthesis and its effect in a lot of the creative processes of the human being.

1979

Kajo Tsuboi established the Institute Kiryuho at Tama city in Tokyo, Japan.

1980

He encountered the vision of the mark, or rather the form of the moebius loop, which is the essential structure hidden in cosmic rhythms, in dances, in thinkings and in many creative communications. The moebius loop can be the hidden structure of 'Ma' which seems to be peculiar to Japanese culture, but in truth is common in all cultures.

1985

The first courses of Kiryuho were given in Paris.
Invited by Yoshi Oida Kajo taught courses for actors.
Demonstrations and some Ki energy experiments for members of Peter Brook's Theatre Company in the Mahabharata production.
Started regular courses in Germany.

1986

Establishment of the Association of Kiryuho in Paris by Francoise R. & Jacque M.
Started regular courses in Paris.

1987-91

Courses in Europe(Paris, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich, Basel) and the USA(New York).

1992

Invited as a lecture at the International symposium 'Autre Pas' in Aix-en-Province(supervisor Dominique Dupuy) where he met various artists, dancers, philosophers, psychologists, critics etc.

1993

Started teaching at several schools in France (IFEDEM, TCD, ADAGE, CANAL DANSE in Pris and CNDC in Angers).

1995

Invited for 'Autre Pas 95' in Paris. Regular courses in Europe(2-3 times a year) in Marseille, Hannover and IFEDEM in Paris.
Performance - 'UZUTAMA' - a tenth anniversary event in Paris.

1995 & 97

Workshops at Karma Ling - a Tibetan Temple in France.

Workshops at Cie CORPS-IMAGE in Chambery, France.
Workshops at Arte e Metieri in Milano, Italy.

1998

Workshops at Adelaide Univercity, Hahndorf Institute in Adelaide and Mirramu Creative Arts Centre in Canberra, Australia.

1999

Workshop & Performance at 'Festival Weereewa' in NSW, Australia.

2001

Workshop at Bruxelles in Belgium
Regular Workshops : Paris, Lyon, Chambery, Cadenet(France),
Hannover(Germany),Bungendore, Adelaide(Australia)

2002

April
  Invitation from Mirramu Creative Arts Centre for 'Festival
  Weereewa' in Bungendore, Australia
August
  Invitation from Dominique DUPUY (Dancer, Choreographer) for
  teaching at 'Le Mas de la Danse' in Arles, France
  Workshops:Paris,Karmaling (France),Hannover (Germany),Bruxelles(Belgium) November
  Invitation from The Center of Performing Arts (Belgium)

2003

September
  11-14 : Hannover (Germany)
  17-19 : Bruxelles,The Center of Performing Arts. (Belgium)
  20-21 : Bruxelles (Belgium)

December
  6-7    : 'Karmaling' (Savoi.France)
  13-14 : Chamberry (France)
  20-24 :  'Le Mas de la Danse' (Arles,France)

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2004

October
8-11: Hannover (Germany)
15-17: Chambery (France)
22-24: Paris (France)
29-31: Paris (France)

2005

March~April: Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide (Australia)