Neko Ryu General Principles: Positive Thinking (“Yes!”)

Virtually all martial arts and hand-to-hand fighting systems use a “spirit yell” or kiai. Some instructors want their students to utter a specific sound at appropriate moments.

Most instructors teach the kiai as a general aid for use in high intensity moments. They allow their students to use any sound they want as long as it produces an explosive and loud exhalation.

The kiai is said to generate more power by unbinding the core during the explosive exhalation. Weight lifters find exhalation helpful even without an accompanying yell.

The kiai is also said to discomfort the opponent by inducing surprise or fear through the suddenness and shear volume of sound as exemplified by the “Rebel yell” of Civil War fame.

Some say the kiai channels a mysterious, universal, and elemental force called ki into the practitioner’s technique.

These are all good. The first two benefits of the kiai are provable even if the third is not.
But the kiai can accomplish more. There is a psychological energy correlated with the positive or negative mind set of the practitioner.

I have participated in demonstrations of this energy. Although I don’t know its source I know its effect. If, during the execution of your technique, you speak the word “yes” you will generate more power than if you remain silent. If, during the execution of your technique, you speak the word “no” you will generate less power than if you remain silent.

Merely speaking “yes” or “no” adds to or subtracts from your power. So, incorporate the word “yes” as your kiai and add “the power of positive thinking” to unbinding your core, channeling ki, and confusing your opponent.

Links to the Special Report: Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu