a play in connective awareness
Freeforming focuses on connective awareness.
It uses sensation and imagination in movement with a partner to discover connection and to free expression.
The practice was developed from Aikido, Gestalt and Zen by Peri Mackintosh and the members of Konjiki Dojo.
This physically orientated discipline promotes
- here and now presence
- sensitivity
- keen observation
- expressive versatility
- physical agility
The practice has proved of particular interest to actors, contact improvisors, dancers, designers, artists, psychotherapists, musicians, healers and all those interested in presence, contact and creativity in the here and now.
A ‘heart & mind opener’, Else Hartmann-Johnsen
Practice today was wonderful. Yes, exactly, “wonder” “full”… it is magic, it is peaceful to be so open. Krysia Mansfield
I really enjoyed it …the emphasis on expression, intuition, sensitivity and presence was refreshing. Paradoxically, this dance-like way of training is also of great benefit from martial perspective as it teaches aiki in its purest form, and is a great workout to boot. Mark Walsh
Join us – you are welcome!
We practice at
Edmund Waller Primary School, Waller Road, LONDON SE14 5LY Click for MAP
Practice times are
Tuesdays 7pm, Saturdays 10.30am
Fees are
£44 per calender month payable by standing order or £54 per month cash or cheque which includes insurance with AMA.
Clothing is a loose long trousers and long sleeved tops and bare feet.
Our training ethos is distinctly egalitarian, co-operative, experimental and based on learning-through-discovery.
Founded in 1976 by John Ferris and named by Sekiya Sensei “Golden Place of the Way”, Konjiki Dojo offers training and practice in Freeform Aikido in New Cross southeast London.
Beginners and experienced aikidoka are always welcome.
For further information please call Peri on 07947 369990
June 18, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Beautiful flow, bodies hypnotised a strange posession, giving into gravity tangling and untangling. Lovely to watch, Thank you!
June 19, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Its very flowing and everything seems to just link into one another, I really love the shapes that are formed through the connection of two people.
August 4, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Practice today was wonderful. Yes, exactly, ”wonder” ”full”.
With a focus on listening. Being active in hearing ”feelingly”, we were able to absorb eachother, and tune in. And for me, a whole world would open in each new moment. Finding form and space TOGETHER is so interesting for me. I like the letting go, the surrender to what’s happening ”now” rather than me trying to make something up or rush on to a new moment before the one we’re in has reached it’s full bloom. It can be frightening to be still, to slow down, breath and be honestly present. But when we do, it is magic, it is peaceful to be so open. Ah yes – as you said Peri – ”It is grace”
July 11, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I love what I have seen here! Beautiful, beautiful, and so much of what I love about aikido. Budo is love! We work the same way but sometimes with hard static grabs, for instance…: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey9x-mh8-jg&feature=related
Thanks for publishing your exciting evolution!
November 3, 2008 at 4:34 pm
So often our human poetics are overlooked. And , even sometimes, they are criticized or ridiculed as ineffective. But it takes an amazing sense of structure to compose the most fluid of poems. Poetics are what connects our spirits and reminds us of our true nature; living vessels of god’s grace.
Freeform aikido looks to be an amazing amalgam of structure and fluidity. And if the 100th monkey theory has any weight, Kimusubi is the direction my dojo’s have been moving in too!
Someday we’ll dance together in the same room. For now, let’s dance together in spirit.