The concept of energy systems, internal energy, its development and circulation is relatively new to the modern west. Internal energy is called Ki (Chi in Chinese) translated it means "universal breath/energy" or roughly translated "air"

The concept of Ki goes far beyond just air, It is more of an elemental force that is manifested by our bodies energies. There are many types of Ki just as there are many types of energy. The two external types of Ki concerned with Ki Gong are Chun Ki (Sky Ki) and Ji Ki (Earth Ki) similar to the energy a plant extracts from the sky/sun (Chun Ki) and the nutrients from the earth (Ji Ki) Everything has Ki, something's transmit Ki more than others. For example air gives us more ki than soil. In our bodies the Ki is taken in through eating, through our skin and mainly through breathing. When we breath the Ki is absorbed and stored in our bodies. The two basic internal types of Ki are Soo Gi (water energy), and Hwa Gi (Fire energy). The character Ki (Gi) means the steam (energy) created from cooking.

So to create energy we need two elements water and fire. When the fire is placed below the water the water heats and creates energy. Using this as an analogy for our internal energy, when one activates (Fire is symbolic of activity) the hips/Dan Jun and the upper body is relaxed energy will be produced. On its most base level think of how a baseball players upper body is relaxed and he hits wit his hips. The twisting of his hips and relaxation of his upper body creates energy which transmits through the bat.

The area which the Ki is stored is called the Dan Jun which translates to Red Sea or Sea of Ki. The Dan Jun is the area in lower abdomen under the navel. The Dan Jun draws, stores and emits Ki as the body needs it. Once Ki is absorbed and stored it is divided/used in two ways 1) Managing Ki, which is distributed through the body so it can function. 2) Protective Ki which is directed to the bodies surface to protect you from outside influences and injuries. The study and practice of developing our energy is called Ki Kong which means "energy work/achievement". Ki Kong is the way to develop and increase your energy in your body so it may be directed and transmitted through your will/intention.

THE 3 BASIC PHASES OF KI KONG

1) Accumulating / Storing the Ki

2) Circulating the Ki

3) Transmitting the Ki

STORING KI / Breathing (Ho Hup)

Proper breathing is an integral part of Moo Sa Do Kwan™, incorrect breathing is unhealthy. Consider this the first physical thing that is disturbed when a person is upset usually is the breathing. Proper breathing helps us stay calm, helps us keep our endurance and coupled with proper mental training and correct breathing we can even control pain. Just like fanning makes a flame greater because of the increase of oxygen, So to we gain additional strength with proper breathing. Ki Kong begins by breathing in your maximum capacity, The oxygen and Ki element separate in the lungs and the Ki travels to the Dan Jun and we expel waste gas Co2. Breathing should not be forced but gently brought from capacity to exhalation. The most important part of the breathing process concerning Ki is the pause between the inhale and the exhale. By pressing our breathing in a downward motion while locking the breath the optimum amount of Ki is sent to the Dan Jun. The longer the breath the more Ki is sent to the Dan Jun.

CIRCULATING KI

Ki circulates through our bodies whether we are aware of it or not. Circulating our Ki through our will (Li) or intention for our health and for self defense is a vital part of Moo Sa Do Kwan™ training. The first phase deals with gathering and storing the second with circulating the Ki through the body through the use of concentration exercises and the Moo and Moon Pal Dan Khum and thirdly the transmission of our Ki through Ki Hap (spirit unification) and Ki Ahp (Spirit pressure) to manifest it through our movements.

KI HAP

Literally Ki Hap means "energy unification" basically it means to focus the energy force together. Ki Hap is more than "Yelling" or "Vocal harassment" There are both physical and physiological parts of Ki Hap. Physically we focus on transmitting or energy through concentration, proper breathing and technique. But there is also a mental effect on our opponent. The spirited Ki Hap can actually lessen an opponents energy through fear, anxiety etc.

KI and LI

Ki is lead by the mind therefore if the mind is unbalanced so to will the Ki in the body. Negative emotions tend to use up Ki and disturb the delicate balance. For example thinking about a past experience that made you very angry can get you angry again. The relived emotion can make the blood pressure rise, the heart beat and breathing irregular etc. Just by concentrating on a past experience we can change our internal and external state. We can actually effect our bodies chemistry and physiology by concentrating. So a healthy mental attitude is beneficial to the body, too much negative emotions can have an adverse effect on the health of the body. Through Li (intention/will) the Ki can be transmitted throughout the body for offense, defense and healing as in acupuncture, massage, accupressure and keeping the body healthy.

MOO PAL DAN KHUM AND MOON PAL DAN KHUM

Moo and Moon Pal Dan Khum are very old exercises developed to maintain health internally and externally. The Moo and Moon Pal Dan Khum were created by Marshal Yei a famous Chinese military general. They were originally based on an older set called the Ship E Dan Khum (12 exercises) Marshal Yei adapted these exercises for his troops and divided them into two sets, the Moo (Military) and the Moon (Scholarly). The Moo Pal Dan Khum consists of 8 standing exercises and the Moon Pal Dan Kuhm consists of 8 sets of sitting exercises. Both are designed to help tone and keep supple the muscles, bones, organs and skin, in addition to circulating the energy (Ki) through the body.

The Moo and Moon Pal Dan Khum exercises were added to Moo Sa Do Kwan's™ curriculum by its founder Master Daniel Segarra because he believes martial arts should not only be learned for self defense but mental, physical and spiritual development. The purpose of the martial art is to prolong life not take it. Practicing Moo Sa Do Kwan's™ ancient health exercises will add a new dimension to your training and hopefully add a few more years to your life so you can train even more.