Aiki and Chi is the divine energy of the Universe. Our inner strength. Aiki is all around us. It is positive strength. Think of a spinning top as the centre deflecting the negative forces with itīs centrifugal forces. This then is the nucleus of our techniques in Aikido. Look at Irimi Nage. The Aiki principles are very evident in the Chinese systems and in Wing Tsun. The yielding and using the other negative forces to your advantage. Chinese principles influenced Okinawa and itīs Karate. Soft and Hard. Yin and Yang. I myself lean more to the Japanese Shinto Religion.