What the heck is Ki anyway?

What the heck is Ki anyway?
I have to admit the more difficult aspects that I have had to focus on within in Karate training is understanding and applying the concept of Ki. Ki is an indefinable force, but it is generally described as the energy of life itself. It may be relatively easy to give an explanation of Ki , but requires a lifetime of practice and training in order to master.
To render KI into a single word in English is almost impossible. It binds all living things together and gives each person his or her spiritual, physical and mental power. This concept may sound like science fiction, but in reality it explains how human beings can perform amazing feats of strength and skill by will or determination alone.
We may hear students say that "It is a feeling of some kind of energy coming forth from mind and body in harmony." Or "It is a strange, vital power which appears unexpectedly at times from an unknown source." Or "It is the sense of perfect timing and matched breathing experienced in practicing." Or "It is a spontaneous, unconscious movement which refreshes mind and body after a good workout," and so forth.
The Spirit of Aikido -Kisshomaru Ueshiba
Ki can be thought of as positive thinking, belief in yourself, faith, confidence, or a state of mind or body unification. You have used KI quite naturally many times in your life, at those moments when something totally captured your interest and imagination. In each case, you were totally focused and completely yourself. You seem to have a limitless supply of energy that is boundless.
The source of KI is rooted at the center of your body known as the Tan-Den. This is the point from which all energy is centered in the body. What distinguishes karate from other martial arts is that karate technique is always backed up by the entire body so that the technique will have maximum effect. If the entire body does not support the technique, it is not karate. Therefore the power of karate technique comes from the perfectly timed contraction of the entire body at the same instant of impact, which is called kime 極 (key-meh).
When the action of karate techniques is synchronized and terminated exactly at the same time, it is called kime, the intense focusing of the mind and body into a single searing moment of impact with the target. The ability to perform effective kime will result in the creation of shock into one’s opponent, which makes it impossible for the opponent to continue.
The Phonetics of Karate- Sugiyama, Shoijro
When practicing karate students need to focus on making each movement start and stop with the entire body behind the movement. Focus on a point and move through and beyond the target. Do not pause or stop during the movement. Everything should start and stop at the same time. This way all of the energy in the strike moves through the target delivering the most effective level of force possible.

In order to have "flowing Ki" the body must be in a relaxed state, allowing both negative and positive "charges" in the emotions to be released. As this occurs the mind is given a rest from its chatter. Simply recognizing or remembering the Spirit stimulates "Ki" flow".
The fundamental goal of the Martial artist is "centeredness". Ideally the very presence of such a person maintains harmony in the immediate environment. However, when conflict arises, the martial artist is trained to handle most situations. The self-defense techniques that are a basic part of the work enable the martial artist to be a positive force in containing a potential or actual violent situation.
Training involves strengthening the entire system through exercise, stretching, coordination, balance, stamina and conscious movement. Karate classes provide a "theater" of interaction where students can smooth out rough areas of their movement and psyches. The phases of ego transformation from solid through liquid to empty are encountered as students repeatedly must confront their limitations. The opportunity to "flow or grow" appears again and again both within the classes and in the larger scope of social relations.
Clearing the Way through Spiritual Martial Arts -Satnam
Essentially the best way to improve Ki development is through continual practice and an attention to focus and effort. Ki is the central source of where the power of karate comes from. Without proper Ki development a karate student cannot make full use of the energy inside them that they may need in order to defend themselves in a life threatening situation.
I hope that this has given a better understanding of where Ki comes from and ways that students can apply it to their karate training. I am still working with this concept and have a great deal to learn and understand about Ki myself. Ki is the essence of power behind karate and can be summoned through training and experience.