A Principle of Circular Motion

The spiritual circle is the foundation of all Aikido techniques. Circular movement synthesizes everything and can freely resolve all problems.

The innermost study of the circular motion is to develop new techniques from the center of the circle. Aikido techniques are combinations of circular movements. Regardless of the ways the opponent attacks, linear or angular, a circular motion centered at your lower abdomen, hara, will naturally blend with the attack so that you can execute a controlling art with efficiency. The centripetal force will draw the opponent into your range of effectiveness so that the centrifugal force can eject him effectively. All circular motions are preceded by a spiritual circle.

The spiritual circle is the circle drawn within one's mind before the execution of the physical circle.