Ki and Breathing Technique

Why breathing is so important? We must breathe to survive. We breathe 24 hours without rest, roughly 13,500 times every day. We can go for weeks without food or water, yet we must breathe to survive. From the oriental philosophy, one of man's goals is to be in harmony with nature. This consists of cheon (sky), gee (earth) and in (human being).

Man, being in harmony with himself and nature, often takes time to learn. Through serious concentration and Dan-jun breathing, this harmony within can be acquired. What is Dan-jun breathing? Dan-jun breathing is a certain breathing technique you can learn to create more internal power, strength and control. We normally breathe through our nose and lung. Dan-jun breathing is different and takes time to practice in getting more control of our body.

Ki (inner power) is the fundamental power gained when a person is born. When a person is born, he or she receives Ki from the universe and Ki leaves when a person dies. Dan-jun means the concentrated place of Ki. The central lower area of the stomach is where power is stored. Every person has three areas of Dan-jun. They are: Shang, Jung and Ha Dan-jun. Shang Dan-jun is the place of the spirit, which is considered the head section. Jung Dan-jun is the place of heart, which is the center section. Ha Dan-jun is the place of Ki, which is located in the lower stomach.

The following are two examples of how Ki affects your body: when a person is very angry, Ki rises within the body as the face turns red from the blood rapidly moving to the head. Same when a person is scared, Ki is lower and one’s power will not be as strong.

Why do martial artists use breathing? Martial artists and Tae Kwon Do masters use Dan-jun breathing to control Ki in their body. While in training, a clean body and mind are aimed to be developed. As you practice, you will begin to feel Ki build within yourself and it is at this point when you must learn how to control it. When you are in control, your mind and body are in harmony as one. Martial artists also emphasize internal fruitiness, which is mental confidence and the controlling of Ki. When one combines inside and outside (mental and physical), he/she controls Ki and the ability to have your own superpower. You are learning to combine universal Ki and one’s own Ki.

Martial artist and Tae Kwon masters usually train all their lives to gain this super-power and control, and never give up until they reach their goal. The goal is to keep practicing long enough to build Ki from within. When one control one’s mental and physical state of mind, he/she can handle the many daily life of problems with the right healthy attitude.