Our History
Our organization has a rich history of innovation and excellence. We continually strive to improve ourselves and our teaching methods.
Founder, Koichi Tohei (1920 - 2011)
Master Koichi Tohei was the founder of the Ki Society. He developed Ki Training, Kiatsu® and Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido over a lifetime devoted to personal development. Beginning with Hawaii in 1953, he traveled the world to teach Ki Principles and Mind & Body Coordination. His extraordinary performance of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido arts and his masterful teaching inspired students for over 60 years.
President, Shinichi Tohei (1973 -)
Shinichi Tohei is the president and chief instructor of the Ki Society. He is a dedicated, life-long student of his father, Ki Society founder Koichi Tohei. He presides at Ki Society HQ in Japan, in charge of teaching, training and the organization in Japan and internationally.
Under his dynamic leadership, the Ki Society has grown dramatically. In addition to over 400 dojos in Japan, there are Ki Society branches in 24 countries.
The Oregon Ki Society
The Oregon Ki Society was founded by Calvin Tabata. He began his training in Hawaii and is a life-long direct student of Ki Society founder Koichi Tohei sensei. Tabata sensei has been teaching in the Northwest since 1970. He established the Oregon Ki Society in 1974 and the Personal Kiatsu School in 1993.
The organization has dedicated training facilities in the major cities in Oregon. In addition, satellite programs in community centers, grade schools and universities provide training throughout the state.
To find out more about the Oregon Ki Society you can visit their web site by clicking here.
The Personal Kiatsu School
The Northwest Ki Federation's Personal Kiatsu School was established in 1993. It was, and remains, the only Kiatsu school outside of Japan. The mission of the school is to increase one's ability to extend Ki, and to improve one's mental and physical health by practicing Universal principles and Kiatsu in daily life.
Originally, students attended classes two classes a week: Sunday afternoons and a weeknight.
In 2006, a system of quarterly weekend seminars was put into place for all students. Following the seminar, attendees returned to mid-week Kiatsu classes at their location and passed on what had just been taught. This plan allowed students from western Canada and the West Coast of the United States to visit the school as well. Branch schools now operate in Salem and Eugene in Oregon, Orange County in California, and Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.
Kiatsu training is continually maintained at the most up-to-date level so that students may learn the latest and most effective methods.