Hachiriki

WARAKU makes it possible to a person to master Budo. The meaning and mission of WARAKU are to create and keep a pleasant harmony. We form the people who can accomplish the achievement of peace according to the principles of Waraku by performing the three following basic exercises. Hachiriki: The skills of Waraku are based on the basic movements of Hachiriki ("Eight Energies"). Hachiriki is the first practice everyone learns when introduced to Waraku. Hachiriki consists of horizontal and vertical movements passing through the four points of heavens, earth, water and fire. The movements are done in a spiral shape that keeps the energy continuous and flowing. Hachiriki shows the body the feeling of the movements and positions of Waraku by practicing bare handed.

Hachiken

Hachiken ("Eight Swords") is similar to Hachiriki, except that you practice using a bokken, or wooden sword. The bokken is used, like the hands in Hachiriki, as a guide to how the body should be moving, and if it is taken away the hands should still be in the same position as Hachiriki. The bokken is also a visual representation of the energy movement, and the extension of that energy from the body. It is also used when practicing with a partner so there is no bodily contact. When practicing with a partner, even if there are no bad intentions, sometimes hard physical contact can produce bad feelings between the two people. With a bokken, the energy that is passed between is goes through an outside object that is connected to the body, so there are no bad feelings.

Chinkon

Chinkon is a calm, relaxed, yet engaged and alert state. Awareness is inside and outside of the body at the same time. Inside the body the heartbeat slows, body temperature is neutral, and the feeling of the physical body is magnified. At the same time, because the mind is calm, outside energies are felt more as well. Especially if the eyes are closed, the other senses become more acute, for example hearing and smell become more sensitive. If other people are around, their presence can be felt more and air movement can be felt more. Also, Chinkon is a state that makes it easier for communication with the supernatural, because of the inside and outside awareness and calm yet engaged state.

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