|
the origins of nearly every
traditional martial art in existence today
were explored, one would find that the
theories and principles of 'ki' training are
in existence in the original teachings. Many
martial artist today who are studying these
arts do not understand exactly what 'ki'
power really is. Although some people like
to market 'ki' as some mystical power that
only they possess, 'ki' is no secret. The
word itself translates to "energy,
life- force, spirit, and/or breath." It
also represents the scientific phenomina of
physics. It is also refered to by Christians
as God's Holy Spirit which God breathed into
Adam after forming him out of the earth
(dirt).
Everyone has 'ki': If you didn't, you'd be
dead!
It is beneficial in seeking
a definition to explain 'ki', that we
understand that there is only one Chinese
calligraphy used to write the word 'ki';
and further to understand that this
particular ideogram is only descriptive of
this force, and is not used to define or
write any other idea or word. Also, we must
research the occurrence of this ideogram in
conjunction with others, and then explore
the definitions of the words made with these
conjunctions.
The calligraphy can be broken into two
parts.
One is 
which shows the spirit.
The second is 
and represents the whole rice plant (roots,
stem, and rice) before it is pulled from the
ground, in it's natural form. It symbolizes
the physical body. To achieve 'ki' means
that the mind is surpassed and the spirit
directly controls the body.
Thinking is no longer necessary (emotions do
not get involved) when it becomes reflex. We
all know that "reaction" is
"thought before action". Reflex is
absent of thought, like when you touch a hot
stove. There is no though involved, you
reflex according to your body's natural
self-defense system. The heart may be the
strongest physical muscle in the body but,
it is also the most deceptive, it leads us
by emotion. Emotion can take you farther
thatn you want to go and keep you longer
than you should stay. The tongue is the most
versital muscle in the body but it can cut
deeper than any sword. Emotion is not needed
in combat. Only training properly everyday
can ready you for that.
Training properly should be the training of
the spirit and the body will naturally be
conditioned to support the task. That is
spiritual training in the martial arts, not
religion. Religion has no place in combat,
it does effect how a warrior trains and
fights however. We don't join the military
to become a priest but, to become a warrior.
Your religious beliefs are best when
expressed through example and action.
Actions speak louder than words.
Some examples are... (in Korean)
ki-gae (spirit, high-mindedness,
moral courage, pride, self-respect)
ki-kwan (wind-pipe)
ki-kwun (atmosphere)
ki-ryuk (vigor, vital force, push,
pep, vitality, health)
ki-maek (secret mutual
understanding, communication, connection)
ki-byuk (unwillingness to admit
one's defeat)
ki-sahng (spirit, temperament,
nature, disposition, bearing)
ki-saek (looks, appearance, mood,
feeling)
ki-seung (an unyielding spirit,
strong-mindedness)
ki-shik (breathing)
ki-yum (high spirit, enthusiasm)
ki-jil (disposition, frame-of-mind)
ki-chun (asthma)
ki-poom (nobility, grace,
refinement)
ki-hap (concentration of spirit,
vigor of spirit)
As one can see, many of the
uses of the word 'ki' are within the
explanation of the defining of a frame of
mind, or an attitude, or the appearance of
one's body or expression during an emotional
"high." When Korean people feel
tired they say, "Ki-woni-obso".
Additionally, although not well represented
by the definitions listed above, 'ki' is
used in words defining "air" or
some attribute, state, form, usage, or other
regard thereof. Also, there is an, as yet,
scientifically undefined energy within the
body some refer to as the body's electrical
energy. It is part of this transportation
system referred to as the channels or
meridians. There are twelve main meridians
in the body, six Uem and six Yang, and each
relates to one of the 12 major organs. Each
meridian consists of many sensitive points
called hyul in Korean or acupoint in
English. It is on these points that an
acupuncturist (Chim Sool Sah) inserts his
needles or an acupressurist (Ji Ahp Sah)
presses with his fingers.
To better visualize the concept of Ki, and
the meridians, think of the meridians as a
river-bed, over which water flows and
irrigates the land; feeding, nourishing and
sustaining the substance through which it
flows. (In Western medicine, the concept
would be likened to the blood flowing
through the circulatory system or an
electrical system of a house.) If a dam were
placed at any point along the river, the
nourishing effect that the water had on the
whole river would stop at the point the dam
was placed.
The same is true in relation to Ki and the
meridians. When the Ki becomes blocked, the
rest of the body that was being nourished by
the continuous flow, now suffers. Illness
and disease can result if the flow is not
restored.
The stimulation created by
the insertion of needles or the pressing on
certain points, either releases built-up
'ki', or opens the pathway for 'ki' to again
flow properly. Certain numerous, physical
symptoms can be observed on the body when
there is either an obstruction, or a
build-up of 'ki' at some point on a
particular meridian. An example would be the
formation of moles at specific locations
adjacent to a meridian. Yet another would be
a particular toenail becoming thick, hard,
and discolored. There may not be an
explanation for this according to Western
medicine, but Eastern medicine can not only
explain it using 'ki' theories, but through
acupuncture or acupressure, they can help
heal it.
In the martial arts
we look at pressure points as valves. The
electrical energy travels in two directions
in the body along the nervous system, Uem
and Yang. If the two "lines" come
too close together it shorts out that
circuit and causes pain, paralysis, or
death. Much like an electrical short in a
wired system.
The practice of acupuncture
and acupressure has been around for at least
three thousand years. Nothing lasts that
long without having some sort of measurable
effect. It has been scientifically proven
that there is a greater concentration of
nerve endings at each point on the body
where the Asians originally defined the
acupoints - at least in comparison to the
surrounding areas. It can be reasoned that
stimulation of these nerves causes the
reactions within the body, that treatments
in either form produce - but nobody knows
for sure. The one thing we do know for sure
is that the human body is tremendously
resilient and able to take care of, and
repair itself, if it is kept healthy and
strong. 'Ki' training, in addition to diet,
is the best way to maintain the condition of
homeostasis required for the body to
function at it's peak.
In laymans terms, 'ki' is
the combination of such things as, the
proper frame of mind (attitude or
concentration), adrenalin and endorphins
(produced through emotional/mental
stimulation), oxygen (allowing the body to
function closer to homeostasis), knowledge
(of body mechanics), and the
"undefined" energy within the
body. Hopefully, it is becoming clearer that
'ki' is not one definable thing or idea, but
rather, 'ki' is created or exists as a
combination of many factors, both internal
and external. Hapkido, by definition seeks
to create harmony, or the coordination of
each of the factors listed above, among
others, to make the practitioner a dynamic
source of energy and control.
To define exactly what
"ki" is would take pages of
explanation... Simply put, every object,
living or otherwise, has "ki."
'Ki' is the energy inside every atom of
everything around you. You can expel from,
and accept 'ki' into your body. This is the
"energy" form of 'ki'. The
physical form inside our bodies is
adrenaline. So, in actuality, there are many
forms of 'ki' which we need to practice to
utilize. That within the atoms of our body
is our "life force," without it,
we would die. Adrenaline, is our super
hormone - at our "fingertips"
whenever we need it. You will learn
techniques through your training in Hapkido
to allow you to summon the several types of
'ki' on command.
The level of 'ki' energy
within your body relates directly to your
breathing and how much oxygen you take in
and absorb. Nearly every body function, from
muscle contraction, to the ability to focus
or concentrate, can be enhanced by an
increase in the blood oxygen levels.
Additionally, toxins which are produced as a
part of the normal functions and processes
of the body, are more rapidly expelled. A
research group in Chicago found that there
are enough toxins brought into and produced
by our lungs, in one hour to (if
concentrated) kill over 60 people. Obviously
it is easy to see that proper breathing
techniques are vital to a healthy, prolonged
existence.
Most martial artists have
heard the word "ki-hap" (Korean)
or "ki-ai" (Japanese) used to
define the yells that are so common in any
fighting art. Unfortunately, however, the
definition "to yell" is a poor
one. More accurately, the word
"ki-hap" or "ki-ai"
defines the harmony which is created during
the yell, between the energies of the mind
and body. Were you to try, you would find it
quite difficult to focus your mind on
anything other than the technique you are
performing in association with the
"ki-hap." This is good! It means
that your whole 'being' is sub-consciously
coordinating all of the activities and
thoughts necessary to generate a maximum
amount of power with that technique.
In the old days before many
of the martial arts became sports and
recreational activities, most serious
martial artists underwent 'ki' training in
addition to the physical practice of the
art. Hapkido, as was stated earlier, by it's
name and definition, involves a good deal of
training in the development of this
"internal energy." Hapkido simply
would not be the same art, minus the 'ki'
training and the power, both mental and
physical, along with the health benefits it
(ki training) promotes.
Kuk Sool Master In-Joo Suh
said, "Everyone has a maximum power
potential, exceeding their normal ability.
By developing their 'ki' energy, they can
bring out their maximum power whenever
needed. 'Ki' training is the way to develop
that power."
'Ki' isn't just something
you build-up, like a weight lifter does
muscles. The level of 'ki' related energy is
different for men and women, and varies at
different times of the day. For instance,
daily times for 'ki' "highs and
lows," are opposite for men and women
and closely follow the oriental concept of
um and yang. According to many experts, a
man's 'ki' energy is high in early in the
morning and in the evening (sun-up &
sun-down), and at it's lowest during the
afternoon and during the middle of the
night. Women's 'ki' energy is low early in
the morning and in the evening, but high in
the afternoon, and during the middle of the
night. Therefore, martial arts training will
be respectively more beneficial to men and
women during their high points of the day,
or during the time when their level of 'ki'
energy is highest. For both sexes, physical
strength and stamina are best when 'ki'
levels are at their maximum. This is not to
say, however, that martial arts training
during other times of the day will not be
greatly beneficial to the practitioner, just
that there is an optimum time for training.
Meditation is a daily must!
Since 'ki' travels more freely when both the
mind and body are relaxed, daily meditating
becomes very important to your training.
Your mind will not relax until your body is
physically relaxed and vise versa. Quiet,
calm breathing helps the body to relax.
Anytime you are engaged in the activity of
concentrating on your breathing, you are
meditating! This period of meditation allows
the body to perform many of the same
functions and processes which occur during
sleep, therefore creating more
"rest" time for the body.
Daily abdominal breathing
(dahn-juhn-ho-heup-bup) is also a must.
Hapkido training consists basic techniques
of abdominal breathing or
"dahn-juhn" breathing called
"dahn-Juhn-Ho-Heup". Typically,
these techniques are practiced before and
after a class. Breathing correctly produces
many things to happen within your body. You
get more oxygen than you normally would and
you begin to tingle and sweat. The tingle is
the oxygen dancing with your red blood
cells. The sweating comes from an increase
of body tempurature which is teh metabolism
speeding up and buring calories. Just from
breathing correctly! |
