| Whenever I teach a "Breathing in the Martial Arts" | | | | method that enables the body to process Ki |
| seminar I always have the students breathe in | | | | energy effectively. Most people understand the |
| and out through the nose. This often brings | | | | importance of breathing in through the nose. The |
| quizzical looks and invariably, at the end of the | | | | nose has a series of defense mechanisms that |
| session, the first question asked is; "Why are we | | | | prevent impurities and extremely cold air from |
| breathing in and out through the nose?" This is a | | | | entering the body. These were detailed in my |
| valid question and I'd like to address it here. | | | | previous article "Breathing Training for Martial |
| Before I do that, I need to explain a little bit | | | | Artists" (SKM Issue 72). Breathing out through the |
| about Ki energy and how it relates to breathing. | | | | nose requires a deeper understanding of the |
| Most martial arts practitioners have some idea | | | | nature of Ki energy. Practitioners of martial arts, |
| about the concept of Ki energy (also known as Qi | | | | especially karate, need to absorb and process the |
| or Chi). Ki refers to the natural energy of the | | | | Ki that they are breathing in order to generate |
| Universe, which permeates everything. All matter, | | | | the power and force for the techniques they |
| from the smallest atoms and molecules to the | | | | practice. They also need to be able to retain the |
| largest planets and stars, is made up of this | | | | Ki within the body until the moment it is needed. |
| energy. It is the vital force of life. It is the source | | | | Basically, when we inhale we are bringing fresh |
| of every existing thing. Ki has many | | | | oxygen and Ki into our body. When we exhale |
| manifestations. Different philosophies and cultures | | | | through the mouth we are expelling carbon |
| call it by different names. Metaphysical science | | | | dioxide which contains all the toxins and poisons |
| calls it "vital force." Friedrich Mesmer called it | | | | that have built up within the lungs. We are also |
| "animal magnetism." The Indian and Hindu yogis call | | | | expelling Ki from the body. But if we are |
| it "Prana." To the Kung Fu and Tai Chi practitioners | | | | continuously expelling the Ki we never give it a |
| of China it is known as "Qi or Chi." Western | | | | chance build up into the rich source of energy |
| science defines it as "biorhythm," and New Age | | | | needed to complete our techniques to their |
| thinkers simply call it "cosmic energy." Naturally, in | | | | maximum effectiveness. By exhaling through the |
| each manifestation the Ki is viewed and defined | | | | mouth the Ki energy is simply dissipated back into |
| differently, but basically it is the same thing. It is | | | | the world. Breathing out through the nose, |
| the power which enables us to think, move, | | | | however, completes a closed circuit. By exhaling |
| breathe, and live - the power that makes gravity | | | | through the nose, the Ki energy, instead of being |
| act like gravity. It is what makes electricity | | | | expelled with the carbon dioxide, is transferred to |
| electric. It is the link between our perception of | | | | the dan tien or hara, located about three finger |
| the inner and outer worlds. It is our connection to | | | | widths below the umbilicus. With each breath in, |
| the very flow of the universe and the prime | | | | more Ki enters the body and circles down to the |
| moving force within the human body. Ki is not | | | | dan tien growing stronger and stronger. During this |
| breath, it is the power that makes it possible for | | | | breathing process, the tongue is up, touching the |
| us to breathe. Ki is not simply "energy," it is what | | | | top palate of the mouth just behind the front |
| gives energy the power to be energy. Ki is the | | | | teeth and the air is expelled from the nose with a |
| power behind movement and thought...and it is | | | | slightly audible hiss. There is also a feeling of the |
| everywhere. It is in the oxygen we breathe and | | | | abdominal walls contracting down with the |
| the blood that flows through us. | | | | exhalation. |
| It is difficult to define Ki concretely. It cannot be | | | | Once sufficient Ki has been generated this way |
| seen or measured, it cannot be touched or | | | | the practitioner is able to expel the Ki with |
| captured. It is everywhere yet we have no way | | | | tremendous force. This is known as the Kiai |
| to touch it, make it tangible, or even prove its | | | | where the breath is expelled through the mouth. |
| existence. Therefore Ki is a difficult concept to | | | | This is the reason that there are usually only two |
| accept. The Western mind likes the tangible, the | | | | techniques within each Kata where we Kiai. An |
| concrete and the specific. It likes a scientific | | | | important factor of Kata training is that it teaches |
| explanation which defines, dissects, and | | | | us to build up sufficient Ki energy and then expel |
| categorizes. Ki transcends this kind of explanation. | | | | it in one strong technique. If we try to Kiai with |
| It doesn't fit easily into a strict biomedical | | | | every technique, we quickly become fatigued |
| framework. It is simply indefinable in those terms. | | | | since we are expelling Ki with every breath. |
| Ki within the body is like power in a rechargeable | | | | Remember that Ki is a subtle, invisible force that |
| battery. Occasionally it needs to be replenished. | | | | requires much patience and long years of practice |
| The Ki of the universe is inexhaustible, yet the | | | | to understand. The ability to relax and breathe |
| body needs fresh Ki to maintain its vitality. When | | | | effectively will benefit your training in building Ki. |
| you are exchanging the Ki within you with the Ki | | | | When your mind and body are working together |
| of the universe, you feel healthy and vigorous. By | | | | in a relaxed manner and you are breathing |
| energizing the body with Ki it is revitalized | | | | properly, a tremendous amount of energy is able |
| naturally, enabling it to fight off illness and maintain | | | | to flow through your being. The key is not to |
| good health. The true secret to replenishing Ki | | | | force it, just slow down, relax and breathe |
| resides in our breathing. | | | | through the nose. |
| Breathing in and out through the nose is the only | | | | |