Chi Kung

Chi Kung (Qi Gong), is the training of "conscious"
breathing ---- using the senses as guides to breathing.
Because it maximizes the efficiency of breathing and
improves the quality of respiration, it is a healthier
way to breathe than untrained breathing habits to
which we may be accustomed.

Practice of Chi Kung helps relax the joints and
increases the sensitivity of the body, promoting the
awareness and cultivation of Chi. It is central to our
training in the practice of Kung Fu because Chi is
regarded as being the fundamental vitality of the body
and the power within the Chinese Martial Arts.

What are the benefits of dantien breathing?
We can answer this from three different viewpoints:

* Western medicine

Blood capillaries are denser in the lower part of the lungs, so it is the best place for ogygen and carbon dioxide to be
exchanged. When breathing with the dantien, the diaphragm lowers and creates more space for oxygen to enter. This
increases both the efficiency and the quality of respiration.

* Chinese medicine

According to Chinese medicine, the heart and lungs have the nature of Yin, which implies stillness. Organs in the abdomen,
such as the stomach and the intestines, have the nature of Yang, which suggests activity. Breathing with the chest expands
the thorax horizontally, thus increasing the pressure to the heart and lungs. Dantien breathing involves vertical movements
of the diaphragm, which pressures the heart and lungs less and can also stimulate the stomach and intestines to improve
digestion.

* Sports science

The human body is aligned vertically, with the dantien at its center of gravity. When breathing with the chest, this center of
gravity rises, making the body a bit unstable. If we breathe with our dantien, our bodies are given greater stability, just like
daruma dolls. Also, horizontal expansion of the chest may affect the movement of the arms. However, vertical breathing
using the dantien will not interfere with the movement of the upper body.

What is the relationship between Chi Kung and Kung Fu?
Kung Fu emphasizes integrating the strength of the entire body, which requires relaxation of the joints. This is the main
reason why relaxation is so important during practice. How can one relax fully? The answer can be found through Chi Kung
training. Chi Kung trains not only the dantien, but the entire human body. Practicing Chi Kung not only helps us relax, but
also increases the sensitivity in our bodies, which in turn helps us control and integrate our strength. In conclusion, all
aspects of Kung Fu movement (including Fa Jin1 , Hua Jin2 , and Ting Jin3 ) are closely related to Chi Kung. Chi Kung is
central to our training in the practice of Kung Fu, because Chi is regarded as being the fundamental vitality of the body and
the power within the Chinese Martial Arts.

1Fa Jing - (Issuing Energy) Strikes which do not emphasize speed or muscular strength, but instead internal power,
through which an opponent can be affected even after contact has already been made.
2Hua Jing - (Transforming Energy) Defense through absorbing the strength of a punch, redirecting its force, etc.
3Ting Jing - (Listening Energy) To feel your enemy’s strength (or Chi).

What is "dantien" breathing?
Sometimes dantien breathing is called “abdominal
breathing”. The first step in learning Chi Gong is to
change the way we breathe from chest breathing to
dantien breathing. With dantien breathing, the area
that expands should be the dantien (the lower
abdomen), and not the chest. Some may find this
idea difficult to accept and argue that air is breathed
into the lungs, not into the underbelly. While it is of
course true that air can only go into the lungs, with
dantien breathing the diaphragm, between your
thorax and abdomen, moves downwards and expands
the dantien. The basic principle of dantien breathing
is that when you breathe in, the diaphragm lowers,
making your thoracic cavity bigger and thus creating
a greater intake of oxygen.