1. The linking of movement and breath

This is the main and first principle of Asahi. When movement and breathing are gently synchronized, the exerciser can get a pleasant feeling of harmony in both body and mind. This is an important feeling that reduces weariness and stress, bringing forth vitality and positive attitude towards life. It is sort of a basic feeling connected to stable state and good health, both created and boosted by Asahi-movements.

2. Practising vertically erect body alignment

Vertically erect body has structural strength. This principle is in use for example when carrying heavy weight on top of one’s head. Vertically erect body can produce relatively mighty force by only a small effort. Many martial arts are based on the study and learning of this skill. In western countries the principle is known mainly in some forms of body therapy, for example the Alexander Technique. In Asahi movements the vertical line principle is constantly under study, heightening connected body structure awareness and helping to find the whole force of the body and the optimal way to perform the movements.

3. Whole body movement

In Asahi movements the idea is to keep the whole body constantly in either opening or closing motion. The whole of the body is considered to be like a giant ball that either expands or contracts during the movements. Thus whole body movement is created instead of moving only the hands, for example. This way even the slightest movement of the hands becomes a whole body movement. Thus the intensity of the movement grows and the whole body, especially the back, gets training during each move.

4. Listening to the slow motion

In Asahi the movements are slow and gentle. This makes it possible to listen to the movements and develop one’s body awareness in a very unique way. With practice the exerciser learns to become aware of subtle details of the movements. The inner senses of the body can be cultivated. In Asahi these senses are reached with slow and gentle movement. The body is actively listened to from within, thus developing balance and awareness of body structure and movement.

5. Cultivating the mind with mental images

In Asahi movements different mental images are often being used: lifting a ball, moving in water, listening to the rain etc. Using mental images with movements has many effects. They can be used to find the proper way to perform the movements; they make it easier to concentrate on the movements, to bring the mind present into the exercise. By changing the mental image the intensity of the movement can also be altered; if we imagine lifting an iron ball instead of a paper ball, the strain increases.

6. The exercise as a continual, flowing experience