Universal Principles
Human Behavior 
Studies in human behavior have concluded that human beings tend to react adversely to stress — mentally, emotionally and physically. Hans Selye, MD, the “father” of modern stress theory, observed that when a person is subjected to prolonged stress, the body's energy reserves become exhausted and breakdown occurs. However, it is not the stressors themselves that cause the damage, but rather the body’s reaction to those stressors, which is reflected in chronic changes in the feedback loop between the nervous system and the endocrine system of the body.
It is hypothesized that because pre–civilized humans utilized a "fight or flight" response in order to protect themselves in a dangerous world, humans of today harbor the remnants of this response and inappropriately apply it to conflict or challenging situations which are not ultimately matters of life or death. The good news is that we can train ourselves to modify our reactions to challenging situations and events to avoid producing harmful and ineffective responses or actions when confronted with the chaos of today’s world of work.
Science
Entrainment is the tendency for two oscillating bodies to lock into phase so that they vibrate in harmony, or the synchronization of two or more rhythmic cycles. The principle of entrainment is evident in the fields of biology, chemistry, medicine, pharmacology, psychology, sociology, astronomy, music, and in the martial arts. This synchronization occurs spontaneously when there is no outside interference to the natural process.
In microbiology, the growth cycle of a cell is punctuated by a phase in which it experiences an almost complete breakdown of its ability to organize its own functioning. As the need to produce new parts to handle more complex functions is addressed, the cell becomes discombobulated and confused. Eventually, though, through learning, stress and challenge, the cell harnesses the lessons of its quest of growth and achieves the next highest level of organization and along with it, a relative state of equilibrium. Humans and human organizations can also learn to harness this simple and amazing growth pattern.
Nature
Dozens of studies have shown that reconciliation has been found in every non– human primate species that has been examined. Studies have also been done with hyenas, goats and dolphins and have shown that these species are highly sociable, don't hold a grudge and resolve conflict quickly among members of their own species. Conflict and confrontation are a necessary part of life, and appear to assist with the establishment of social systems and territories. Human, on the other hand, in spite of our highly developed frontal brain regions, appear to be out of touch with the natural rhythms of conflict, and therefore, benefit greatly from reconnecting with these rhythms.
Open Ki Solutions Approach
Open Ki Solutions approach is based on principles found in human behavior, science, and nature. These principles are universal and timeless. They are simple, practical, and yet profound and backed by centuries of research and application.
Open Ki Solutions products and services utilize highly experiential methods and systems based on a combination of an innovative management behavioral system and Aikido, a defensive martial art with high-impact interpersonal and team application. Open Ki Solutions uses proven, hands-on techniques to restore balance and harmony to organizational relationships and systems.
In the Open Ki Management model, organizations rediscover strengths and regain excitement about the unique contributions they are making in the world, which translates into success in the marketplace. Ki in Japanese means energy or spirit. Open Ki as a management style therefore refers to the harnessing of innately valuable individual, team, and systems energy and spirit, applied without interference or resistance.
The Human Factor
Open Ki Solutions addresses transitional challenges by focusing on the human factor at the executive, team, and systems levels. According to a leading U.S. consulting firm, 80% of merger/acquisitions fail due to "human and cultural factors", resulting in an average 50% lost of the company’s market value. Organizational transitions such as mergers, restructuring, downsizing, leadership crises, and others transitions and organizational perturbations are often dealt with solely with a mechanistic approach. We tend to think that if we can just design and implement the right systems configuration, that everything else will fall into place. We know that there will be human fallout, and that the fallout will be unavoidable. Therefore, we blindly launch our redesign without factoring in human elements and needs.
The human factors, which we minimize in importance, can constitute the elements which make or break the success of a significant organizational transition. Issues such as leadership personality infringement, team functioning, departmental interrelations, employee reactions to radical organizational change, and lack of collective inspiration can constitute major blocks to achieving success in transitional growth and survival.
Nothing short of an immersion consulting approach can address and reverse the downward trend that the human factor has on the success of organizational change. Open Ki Solutions emphasizes organizational healing and wholeness through integration of innovative, humanistic principles and practices into organizational culture. We achieve that by implementing a proprietary management system known as Open Ki Management.
Aikido
Aikido & Self-Defense
Developed by Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido is a unique, contemporary martial art which emphasizes blending with and neutralizing an attack, while protecting yourself and your attacker from harm. Aikido teaches defensive tactics only against unprovoked attacks. It combines blending movements with powerful throws and joint locks to disable an attacker before the point of impact.
The Japanese word Aikido can be translated as "the way of harmony with spirit". Aikido is a true budo (martial way), evolving in the historic tradition of Japanese warrior arts. Budo is actually more than a science of self-defense tactics; it is an artistic discipline for perfecting the spirit.
Aikido & Self-Discovery
Aikido strives to create harmony out of conflict. It teaches skills in mediation, leadership, conflict resolution, empathy, and spirituality. Aikido can be applied to learning how to center the body and mind in challenging situations or chaotic settings, as well as learning how to resolve conflicts peacefully and promote win-win strategies.
Aikido is unique among the martial arts in that it advocates harmonizing with an attack rather than retaliating in order to resolve the situation. This involves embracing a number of principles and tenets that are largely foreign to most of us, particularly in western civilization.
