Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on February 14, 2003.
Both in Aikido and Iaido practice, we must think about ikioi (勢い) - a Japanese word meaning "spirited energy.” Another meaning is "to be full of ki.” This word is really very difficult to translate into English. We should always think about making our movements, techniques and practice very energetic and spiritual - not lackluster, limp or lazy. This does not mean to be harsh, stiff or brutal nor does it mean to apply more strength in the technique against our partner. More than anything, I think, it is a mental state of being in the moment, energetic and "lively." In Iaido, it is the same. Be decisive, spirited and full of energy!
This does not only apply to practicing on the mats but off the mats as well. Of course, everyone is tired from work, family and daily life's trials so we like to drag our feet into the Dojo as an "escape" from all of this. No, Aikido is not an escape. Quite on the contrary, more than our family, work, and everything in this environment, Aikido training requires more, very much more, energy, effort, attention and awareness! Many of us do Aikido like relaxing in front of a television after a hard day. We only think of it as a recreation or distraction from real life. We think our practice is a time to just space-out. NO, it is not!
What is amazing about Aikido is that we will always feel more energized after practice no matter how tired we are when we enter the dojo. Before you come into the dojo, change your attitude and mind, and become like a sharp sword - this is ikioi.