First experience of Chi/Ki Energy Flow

[KarateKid7]

I kno chi/means breath and hence exercises are focussed around utilising power in our breath. How can we experience chi/ki for the first time? Which exercises illustrate the effect and feeling of chi/ki effectively? And how is the feeling best described? A magnetic like force...electric like force, etc...Any feedback would be much appreciated as I think my mind is thinking it is feeling chi when i might not actually be feeling it. Also the kiai...I practice karate and when we expel this, i still feel it is coming from my throat sometimes mor than the dan tien hara...is there a way of correcting this? Thanks guys.

[David]

I know nothing, especially about Karate...

 

Your throat kiai could be through incorrect emphasis in the strike. Perhaps you have a mental image of your body that is too much of an inverted triangle with shoulders broad and chest puffed out? Maximum strength comes from your centre: the dan tien and the body's core muscles of the waist. If so, shake it out, loosen up and breathe deep. Then again, this advice might ruin your Karate!

 

There're different flavours of chi experience and I'm no expert at any of them.

 

Magnetic experiences come with sensitivity work eg partner drills. Your hand sticks to the other in the sense that it effortlessly follows the other's motion.

 

Electric-shock feelings... come in striking and seizing scenarios where the almost instantaneous nature of the technique overwhelms. Don't think this qualifies as a chi-feeling but it's certainly the result of chi kung.

 

There's a form with the cool name "18 Dark Internal Power Hands" which can give me a feeling like I'm under water: my skin is super-sensitive to the air, feeling it intensely and my hearing blurs through overstimulation (I guess) of the ear-drum. Just like being under water.

 

Other common effects are tremors and localised heat eg in the palms.

 

Effects you can't feel but others can include a sandbag-like firmness and heaviness to the flesh and great power.

 

Some principles of various practices with possible explanations: -

 

Visualisation is useful in that mind leads the chi which leads the body. eg using intention to focus on the paths or major points as you move improves line and power.

 

Flicking as if to get rid of water from your skin, shakes out knots in your muscles and sinews, acts like combing your hair enabling better (uninterrupted) chi flow.

 

Stretching or openness through relaxation of muscle groups allows the chi to reach further and hence flow stronger. eg relaxing the thighs opens up the legs for chi flow, improving the strength of your root when you need it.

 

Pressure through constriction of muscle groups allows chi to accumulate and increase power. eg packing the chi into the dan tien or fingers whilst perfroming dynamic tension (do you have tensed arms in Sanchin? My related form Saam Bo Gin "3 step arrow or piercing" does).

 

Rgds,

 

David

[koryu]

I kno chi/means breath and hence exercises are focussed around utilising power in our breath. How can we experience chi/ki for the first time? Which exercises illustrate the effect and feeling of chi/ki effectively? And how is the feeling best described? A magnetic like force...electric like force, etc...Any feedback would be much appreciated as I think my mind is thinking it is feeling chi when i might not actually be feeling it. Also the kiai...I practice karate and when we expel this, i still feel it is coming from my throat sometimes mor than the dan tien hara...is there a way of correcting this? Thanks guys.

 

Chi, or Ki is obtained by correct posture and body alignment along with proper technique execution. There are several aspects to achieveing ki, although I will not get too detailed. This is a very controversial subject, and although several people do not believe it, I do believe there is such a thing. As far as the feeling, it is very hard to describe. I find it to be very cleansing. The best way that I have found for ki to be achieved is through proper kata training, specifically Sanchin (for me). After performing such kata, one feels refreshed and energized. This is the best way I can describe ki. You will know when you have achieved this.

 

As far as the kiai...

 

It should originate from the abdomen or tanden. Similar to how a person is taught to sing. It should come from deep within the body and released with a forceful breath. How a kiai sounds depends on the individual person. You should not feel a kiai in your throat. Don't worry about how loud the kiai is, until the dynamics are correct. A good kiai, along with everythig else, is achieved over time with practice.

 

Hope this helps answer your question

[KarateKid7]

David and Koryu. Both you advices to me are very useful and I will keep everything in mind. Much appreciated guys. To David, yes i do practice Sanchin with tension in the arms but I am by no means an expert - we are expected to improve our sanchin form as we progress in our training over many years i.e. it shouldnt happen overnight. A question to koryu: in which points do u feel ki/chi in sanchin? in the whole kata or just specific points? the dan tien is 3 inches below the navel and David I think you have found my problem! I have to break this mental image of myself in order to expel breath from the dan tien...Maybe I am trying too much...maybe i am not. A question, should I tense when I kiai or does this waste uncessary energy? THanks again guys.

[KarateKid7]

That 18 Dark Power Internal Hands form sounds...interesting. lol

[AnonymousOne]

This is getting into MA mysticism and parlour tricks.

 

If there were such a "special power" with all the billions of dollars riding on sports performance dont you think professional sports and Olympic athletes would have also discovered it?

 

Modern scientific research shows there is no such thing. Ki is simply focusing your mind in the same way as athlete does.

[David]

Karatekid7, I know nothing of kiai's. In my art we keep our mouths tight shut mainly for defensive purposes.

 

AnonymousOne, what special power are you on about? What mysticism? And I think ki is mental focus in the same way a human is a machine - ie it doesn't tell half the story.

 

Rgds,

 

David

[nanfeishen]

Science has proved the body carries an electric charge, there is technique called Kerlian photography which has photographed the energy surrounding the human body, (i am not a scientist, so i dont know the exact details of the technique, something about high frequencies etc,etc) anyway, it is known that certain exercise or certain physical movements "excite" or increase this natural energy and current. All living things, have this current running through them,and around them, you could call it the "essence" that is life.(This energy extends out and around the body like a large egg surrounding the body) Now, when we practice our martial arts, or our chi gong, we increase this energy in the body, this energy therefore is what we refer to as Chi or Ki. That is why we often experience an "electrical" feeling, or a feeling of "expanding", or "growing" etc, when we train. Partner work, like pushing hands, or Chi Sau, allow us to begin to sense this energy within our partners, and therefore become more sensitive to the sensation of this energy, allowing us to "feel" or anticipate our partners movements. The brain sends an "electrical" signal to the muscle to move the limb in a particular direction, our current picks up on the signal and our subconscious registers the intent of the signal, allowing our limb to intercept the incoming limb. This current runs through the body on certian meridians, and these meridians have certain intersections, or what we refer to as pressure points, the interuption of this energy at these points can be used for healing, acupuncture, massage etc. or to create pain as in striking or hitting the points in a particular way. Years and years of training and we become very, very sensitive to this energy, and that is what mastering your art is about , by perfecting your movements, techniques and forms, you increase the energy to be able to feel, sense and anticipate precisely the movements of your opponent.

 

"Mysticism today, fact tomorrow", that is a historical fact.

[koryu]

Thank you nanfeishen for the in depth explaination

[KarateKid7]

Thanks to all for their contributions