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Stress Reduction
Through
Breath Control, Meditation and
Relaxation
Beginning the inner Journey
Achieve Tranquility through the practicing of meditation
Rejuvenate yourself in a healthy and natural way
Increase your energy levels
Increase Stamina
Strengthen your body
Sharpen and improve the mind
Calm the Spirit
Reduce stress and tension
When movements are done in conjunction with deep lower abdominal breathing, one can center the breath in the lower abdomen, which will have a soothing effect on the body, mind and spirit.
Ki Training (Breath Control)
 Breathing is something that most of us take for granted because we do it automatically all of our lives without thought. Without breathing we could not live longer than a few minutes though we may go for long periods of time without food and water. If one is to live a well, healthy and active life then breathing is essential. It restores energy that has been depleted along with enhancing the circulation of nutrients within the blood and carries carbon dioxide along with other waste products out of the body. Improper breathing hampers restoration causing mental weariness and muscular fatigue very quickly. Proper training of the breath is very essential to martial art training and should be given adequate time along with being integrated into physical training.
Special emphasis is being placed on proper or correct breathing because it requires continuous mental alertness and at times may involve considerable muscular effort over extended periods of times. When we are engaging in heavy "physical endeavor/demands or frightened, the heart rate increases, blood vessels constrict, adrenaline glands are stimulated (increasing the blood sugar level), and the mouth becomes dry making swallowing difficult. Also at this time our breathing rate is either increased (hyperventilation) or slowed down (hypoventilation) until the demand or supply of carbon dioxide to oxygen ratio is reestablished. In performing or applying the various martial art techniques or movements you must be able to regulate your breathing to insure proper oxygen uptake. Too often in martial art training we unconsciously allow our breathing to become irregular which serves to hamper the body actions at the same time impairing your judgment. As you can see this is a very critical point or phase of your physical training. Your breathing could and most likely will determine your success or failure.
There is two basic types of ki; (1) prenatal or won ki which is developed before birth and is derived from both the father and mother and is considered water or um. When won ki reverses its flow or leaves the body life will soon end. (2) Postnatal ki, which is developed after birth, is easily replenished or maintained by eating nutritious food, doing proper exercises, sleep and rest. This type of ki is of the external type of power and energy that most sportsmen and martial artists spend a great deal of time developing. It is also considered fire or yang in nature. The fetus or child is developing inside the mothers' womb is attached by an umbilical cord which extends from the navel of the fetus to the mothers' placenta which is attached to her uterus. Through the umbilicus and navel (shin goul) the fetus receives oxygen and nourishment. There are six pressure points; three are above the navel (shin goul) which is: Soo boon hyel, which means water divided and separating the clear and the turbulent. Hah wahn hyel, which means lower ventricle. Kun lee hyel, which means interior strengthening. And three pressure points below the navel they are: Ki hae hyel, which means Ki Ocean, it acts as the reservoir of ki. Suk moon hyel, which means stone door, this point is the keep of strength, Shin moon hyel, which means first gate and is where original yang and original um come together (where original ki is stored or locked in). It is the last point at the bottom of the field, which forms an energy field.
 Before birth and at the time of birth this ki is fully developed. Prenatal ki is represented by the three pressure points directly below the naval (um kyo, ki hae, suk moon) in a straight vertical line (it is this area that we try and develop as martial artist as we train). It is water or um nature and is also used to cool down the fire element in the body which may be caused from too much physical training or taking in bad food and air. This type of ki training or development is what determines internal power and strength, it is developed through lower abdominal breathing and various postures designed to manipulate ki. However as the child grows up and is subjected to social and environmental pressures and stress they develop bad habits and shift their breathing from the lower (um-water) stomach to chest or thoracic (yang-fire) breathing.  Postnatal ki which is represented by three pressure points directly above the navel (soo boon, ha whan, and Kun nee). This area is developed after birth when the child inhales and takes air into his lungs; it is the source of external strength. This is the external power that most martial artists and sportsmen or athletic persons spend their time developing. This type of ki is easily replenished by eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep and rest.
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