The science of Ki is generally only taught to the advanced practitioners of
Hapkido. This is because of the fact that for the martial arts student to truly
comprehend the workings of the advanced science of Ki, they must first possess a
mastery of the physical aspects of the human body
The Science of Ki.
Ki or Internal Energy was first written about in the Chinese document, Huang Ti
Nei Ching Su Wen, or The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. This
text is commonly referred to as the Nei Ching.
The Nei Ching is written in the form of a dialogue, on the subject of healing,
between the Huang-ti, The Yellow Emperor, and his minister Chi-po. Huang-ti was
a mythological ruler of China, legend to have lived from 2697 to 2599 B.C.E. He
is said to have invented most aspects of Chinese culture. Though Chinese
folklore claims the Nei Ching was written during the life of Huang-ti, the text
is historically dated at approximately 300 B.C.E. -- during the Warring States
Period of Chinese history.
In the Nei Ching, Ki is described as the Universal Energy which nourishes and
sustains all life. It flows through the universe and thus, through each
individual. An abundant, non restricted, flow of Ki in the body allows one to
remain healthy; while a diminished or impeded flow of Ki in the body lead one to
illness.
The Nei Ching describes how Ki circulation in the human body is directed by
invisible circulation channels, similar to veins, known as Meridians. In the
Korean language these Meridians are known as: Pu-dan-ui Kyung.
Understanding Ki Energy in the Human Body.
As described, Ki flows through the human body along invisible circulation
channels known as Meridians. There are a total of twelve Primary or "Constant"
Meridians in the human body. The reason these twelve Meridians are referred to
as "Constant" is because Ki energy circulates through them in a constant and
continual delineated path. Ten of these meridians are defined by, and govern
specific organs of the human body. These Meridians are: the Gall Bladder
Meridian, the Liver Meridian, the Lungs Meridian, the Large Intestine Meridian,
the Stomach Meridian, the Spleen/Pancreas Meridian, the Heart Meridian, the
Small Intestine Meridian, the Bladder Meridian, and the Kidney Meridian. The
final two "Constant" Meridians: The Heart Constrictor Meridian and the Triple
Warmer Meridian are related to the control of bodily functions. The Heart
Constrictor Meridian dominates the continual flow of blood throughout the body
and the Triple Warmer Meridian control the energy of respiration.
Each of the "Constant" Meridians possesses a location on both the right side and
the left side of the body. Ki flow along the Meridians is, therefore, exactly
directed to specific regions of the body the Meridian effects. Furthermore, when
an individual is experiencing a blockage of Ki flow along any of the "Constant"
Meridians, exacting stimulation can be applied to reinstate proper Ki
circulation.
There are two other Meridians which also aid in the control and circulation of
Ki throughout the human body; they are: the Conceptual Meridian, and the
Governing Vessel Meridian. As they do not possess a direct relationship to a
specific body organ and are not an integral element of the body's primary Ki
circulatory system, they are referred to as "Secondary" Meridians. These
"Secondary" Meridians influence highly specific Ki channels and bodily
activities.
Ki flow, through each of the body's Meridians, progresses in a constant and
unchanging direction of either "Ascending" or "Descending." Each of the
Meridians is dominated by either Um or Yang
Pressure Points.
Pressure Points or "Hyel" in Korean are precise access sites along a Meridian.
These Hyel, when properly stimulated by Acupuncture (Chim Sul) or Acupressure
(Ki-op-sul) enhances the flow of Ki along a specified Meridian. Thus, exacting
pressure to points aid the body in recovering from Ki blockage or Ki deficiency.
Ki stimulation of a specific meridian is commonly understood to aid in adding Ki
flow to a specific meridian of the body; additionally, if these Hyel are
impacted in a precise and specific manner, they can also be accessed to hamper
the flow of Ki in an individual. This is where Hapkido begins it’s understand of
Ki self defence.
The Basis of Ki Self Defence in Hapkido.
To utilize Ki in self defence, one must possess an abundance of Ki and know how
to focus its energy precisely. The ability to focalize Ki power is known in
Korean as Ki Gong. The first step in obtaining the ability to consciously
focusing your Ki energy for external use is initially accomplished by
concentration on your Centre Point or Tan Jun.
Tan Jun.
Tan Jun is the centre point of the human body. The Tan Jun is located
approximately four inches below the navel. This bodily location is the source
point of all usable Ki in the human form. The martial arts practitioner who
desires to utilize Ki energy efficiently must first define this location.
Tan Jun and Self Defence.
Once the location of the individual's Tan Jun is firmly delineated, all Ki
orientated strikes and self defence applications are accomplished by initially
focusing on this Centre Point. The Korean word "Ki Hap," the yell associated
with all punching, kicking, and throwing techniques, signals the fact that the
practitioner is pulling Ki up from this location and then releasing it as any
offensive or defensive technique he is unleashing.
Pressure Point Strikes.
As has been explained, there are numerous locations on the human body which will
directly access Ki meridian pathways. These Hyel can be employed to interrupt
the flow of Ki in an attacking opponent. In its most elemental form of Ki
orientated self defence, Hapkido teaches its students to strike precisely to a
Hyel. From this Ki science defensive application, you can effectively stop the
Ki flow of the opponent along the specific Meridian pathway you are impacting.
Thereby, Ki to the element of the body that specific Meridian effects is halted
and your opponent will be hindered in his offensive abilities.
Striking to a Hyel does not necessarily immediately knock a person out or cause
a body part to become instantly numb, as has been propagated by many martial art
charlatans. What this type of self defence does achieve, however, is the
interruption of the overall Ki force in an attacker. This type of self defence
may be understood by the analogy of a body part which has fallen asleep, when
proper circulation has been cut off from it.
When applying forced pressure to specific Hyel, your goal is not to magically
render your opponent lifeless. What you are planning to achieve, however, is
both short term and long term interruption of your attacker's Ki energy.
In Hapkido, a focused Pressure Point strike is initially accomplished by
focusing your energy in your Tan Jun. Then, as your strike travels towards its
final Hyel impact point, you expel your focused Ki, with a Ki Yap, and strike
your opponent to one of these precise locations. From this, his Ki will be
interrupted and you can continue on with additional self defence as necessary.
The Ki of an attacker is not only interrupted by forceful striking techniques.
In fact, the more advanced martial artist will not focus his defence on
offensive techniques, at all. Instead, he will choose to interrupt the Ki of his
opponent by far less obvious methods. In many cases, this may be achieved by
applying direct pressure to one of the opponent's Hyel with a holding or a
grabbing technique
Non-Forceful Ki Interruption.
When a martial artist uses Ki interruption techniques, in the midst of self
defence, he does not posses the time to exactly locate a specific Hyel. The
extended time frame such as an accupressurist would have when applying healing
touch therapy. Equally, he does not generally have the time to hold a pressure
point for more than a few seconds. It is for this reason, that a martial artist
must not only possess an exact understanding of Meridian Pressure Points, to
make Ki self defence effective, but also must possess the ability to strike or
apply debilitating pressure to them rapidly and precisely.
To maintain the ability to effective deal with any opponent, one must initially
remain free for injury. To this end, when attacked by an aggressive opponent,
the first element in all forms of Hapkido self defence is to remove your body
from the intended path of an opponent's strike.
Hyel Self Defence.
There are numerous Hyel throughout the human body. The Pressure Points you
access in Ki self defence is only dominated by your precise knowledge of their
location and your ability to effectively reach them. It is important to note
that drawings of Hyel are not a good source of reference to their precise
location. As most drawings are not exact pictures, they are deceptive in their
depictions. Therefore, it is important to receive personal training from an
individual who possess a substantial understanding of Ki Pressure Points before
you attempt to make it a common form of personal self defence.
Ki self defence is based in the understanding of bringing the non-physical world
into the realms of the physical. Just as the sound waves of music being
broadcast from a speaker can not be seen, they are, none-the-less, experienced.
Ki is similar. Though Ki can not be physically touched, the essence of its
energy has been documented for centuries.