karate?

[fanman]

Greetings to all.

I have been doing Karate for just under three years. It has become an important part of my life. I read "Ki in daily life" by Koichi Tohei, and have recently started ki training and hoping to start Aikido.
Since Karate teaches to use tension, and is therefore against the ki principle of "relax completely", I was wondering if it would be better if I give up Karate. This would be VERY hard to do, but I am willing to do it if that's what's best. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[Saint Louis Ki Society]

The Ki Society principle of relaxation means only use the necessary muscle to do what you intend to do. In all martial arts, in sports, in work that requires physical labor, even typing on a keyboard, it is not unusual for people to over-tense when they "try" hard to do something. This is especially true when attempting something new. Mind and body coordination means that mind clearly perceives where it wants to go and what it wants to do, and the body follows this lead in the simplest and most straightforward manner possible.

Though there are some teachers who seem to teach otherwise, the principle of  “relax completely” is not incompatible with Karate. Most of the advanced Karate practitioners I have seen do follow this principle, at least in demonstrations. Most professional athletes also do this much of the time, especially when they are performing at their best.

Ki Society training seeks to help people understand and use the basic principles in daily life, and to extend them into all activities, both practiced ones and new ones. Correctly understanding the principle of “relax completely” will improve progress in Karate training as well as Aikido. Of course, the more calm and clear the mind is, the more a person can make use of the principle of relaxation.

[kironin]

an example of a Karate master who does not see a conflict with the ki principle "relax completely"

http://www.aikidojournal.com/expo/?instructor=4