The Kouk Sun-Do Practice

1. The Principle of Breathing

"Use nose for breathing, inhale and exhale slowly and calmly, and make movement quietly. Breath with postures, but breath gently."

   The meaning of "use nose for breathing" is to inhale and exhale through the nose in a natural manner as in everyday life. However, for those just starting the breathing practice, those who are filled with toxins, the mouth can be used  in exhalation for two or three days. Even for those in the main practice, whose stomachs are enervated and filled with toxins from the intemperate eating styles, and who have many thoughts and agonies due to the hardships of life, the mouth can be used in exhalation for several respirations before returning to normal breathing. In addition, sometimes the mouth can be used, if needed, in  practicing an external exercise or in circulating Ki.
   The "inhale and exhale slowly and calmly" means to breathe in tenderly, uniformly, deeply, and for a long duration during inhalation, and to breath out softly, gradually, and quietly during exhalation. The meaning of "make movements quietly" is to move without distracting the  concentration of the mind, to watch or sense the flow of Ki depending on the movement being made. Making movements (Haeng Kong) helps to solve the discord among bones, skin, and muscles, to refine the flow of Ki, and to link the practice to everyday life. The "breath with posture, but breath gently" means that all postures have to be done while breathing, that breathing should not be stopped abruptly and should be done without any sound. It is unnatural to breath chokingly, with shortness of breath, or alternating between discrete and continuous intervals.
   Some people move slowly like a tortoise, with the belief that fast movements of the body found in everyday life through, for example, exercises and sports, disperse the energy (Ki) acquired from the breathing practice. Slow movements may help breathing practice or mind training with loading the consciousness, but as long as balance with centering around the Danchun is not lost, the appropriate exercises smooth the circulation of energy and blood, make the spirit clear, and help to store ki. In the practice of Chin-Ki Danbup, of course, we should move more carefully than a tortoise and be prudent in our conduct. However, in the Chung Gahk Do stage, since the labor and sports in our life help us store ki, we need not worry about them. It is important to use the body impartially, caring about the balanced development of muscles and the smoothing circulation of energy and blood.
   Moreover, sages of old teach us to raise the spiritual force with minimal thoughts, to raise internal energy with minimal words, and to raise the physical energy with minimal food. Today especially we must keep this teaching in mind and practice it diligently. Also, practitioners today need to exercise diligently and to control all desires, reminiscent of the spiritual life of our old ancestors.