Dave, I knew nothing about Aikido principles except what I'd read a while ago in the article I posted. Thanks to you, brucie, Clint etc I know a lot more by the hour - and I'm liking it more every minute!

I have been practicing basic Qigong exercises, including Ba Duan Jin for about a year now. And yes - there does seem to be far fewer "good reasons" to fight these days! I really enjoy the Qigong - it relieves tension and stress, improves breathing and flexibility, increases vitality, works well with meditation and with the Huna energetic techniques I practice (Huna uses deep breathing as well). I've never heard of Ba Gua or Xing Ti.