6. Kouk Sun-Do's Breathing

  The purpose of Kouk Sun-Do's breathing is to consolidate the physical and physiological breathing with the mind and to link this process into the unified, transformative movement of yin and yang - the dynamic process of opposites from which all life springs.   
   The One-Ki-Element theory and the Yin-Yang theory in oriental philosophy name the basic substance of the universe as "Ki." There are three different kinds of Ki: Chun Ki (the energy of the heaven, of the stars),  Chi Ki (the energy of the earth), and In Ki (the energy of self, of nature). One Ki exists metaphysically in the polarity of yin and yang. It denies the dualistic thought that material and spirit are separated. It is opposed to the material concept found in western science, instead embracing the oriental concept with its belief in the duality and interdependence of the material and the spiritual world. All things in the universe are created by transformations in this one Ki. The appearance of the creation comes out in the form of five primary elements: water, fire, wood, metal and earth. The human organism is also created by the yin-yang and five-primary-elements movements of Ki. The five vital organs and six viscera are established and transformed by the Ki. The road of energy (Ki) movement in the human body is called "Kyung (latitude) - Rahk (longitude)." The point where "Kyung" and "Rahk" cross is named "Hyul." Both the yin-yang and the five primary elements are considered as the variations of one Ki. Thus, all things are created by the yin-yang and five-primary-elements movements of Ki.
   By drawing the Chun Ki (which comes into one through the air) and the Chi Ki (which is acquired through foods and water) into the lower Danchun and then generating the yin-yang movement of these two Kis, Kouk Sun-Do's breathing creates the "Won Ki," the basic energy, which is one of the most crucial form of energy for our overall health. When we have sufficient energy in the lower Danchun we generally feel balanced and centered. When we have insufficient energy we feel a general physical weakness and imbalance.
  Man is a part of the Great Universe, but he is also an independent small cosmos with self-consciousness because man has a spiritual function other than that of the universe. Therefore, it is important to consolidate the physiological energy of man into both the Chun Ki and the Chi Ki. The principle of Kouk Sun-Do is to cultivate the body and mind, to awake the law of creation and evolution, and to properly participate in the law of the universe. Thus, Kouk Sun-Do's breathing methods have a powerful influence on the quantity and quality of physical, mental, and spiritual energies, and thus on the  organism of the body, our health, and our life. Through Kouk Sun-Do's breathing practice,
we not only keep our lower Danchun filled with energy, but we also achieve  absolute physical-strength, the ultimate mental-power, and  supreme noble-mind.