Introduction

I created the original of this introductory method in 1980 as an exercise within my Project 5 management of aggression system for professionals. Known as Salutation to the Universe (Tenrei) after the first movement, it remained unchanged for nearly twenty years. From the beginning, the primary function of this seemingly short and simple exercise was as a strengthening method through repeated relaxation and tensioning of the musculature of the body and to instil a sense of the fundamental hand movement directions.

During the last three months of 1999 I significantly extended and restructured the form. I began teaching the new version during January 2000, in part, in celebration of the new millennium and in part to affirm my primary area of interest and where I felt increased emphasis should be placed within the Shinseido training regimen.

I retained the original purpose of the form and at the same time included a number of stylised movements representative of specific hand gestures (mudra). The Sanskrit name 'mudra' literally means sign or token and refers primarily to symbolic hand gestures more commonly associated with Buddhism, Hindu religious ceremonies and classical Indian dance.

These hand positions, apart from their esoteric meanings however, open the door to an entire study of everyday communicative and pre-emptive gestures, a vitally important aspect of coping with conflict situations that is very much neglected within traditional martial arts.

I have also considerably extended the symbolic meaning of the form. Many students discount symbolism as being fanciful. However, should you be of a scientific or cynical turn of mind remember that some symbolic strategies are designed to enhance certain behaviours or provide an understanding that cannot be expressed in mere words alone. In this case, the exercise helps to engender feelings of empathy, understanding and love.

The additions make the form far more appropriate for use as an introductory exercise within the Shinseido system in its present form.

They also reveal the inherent truth within the saying "The ordinary is extraordinary when we pay attention" for there is a rich field of understanding within this first form if only we seek with earnestness.