Ki Kyo (or Chi Kyo)

BREATHING METHODS (KI KYO)

In Okinawa they were developed a series of breathing exercises called Ki kyo, based on the theory of the meridians, and vital points of the human body. This theory assures that the body accumulates energy, mainly through the breathing, and it circulates this energy through paths - very defined - called meridians. According this theory, a person will have excellent health and strength when the energy ("ki") circulates easily through the meridians.

Ki kyo's exercises are methods with those a person can build and to make circulate his own energy (" ki ").

The first phase of Ki kyo consists in accumulating energy in the "tan tien", mainly through different specialized forms of abdominal breathing.

Practicing these exercises, it is possible to store an enough quantity of energy in the tan tien, and to learn how to make it circulate through the two primary meridians called Governor Spleen and Concepcion Spleen.

The first step is to lift the energy toward the meridian Governor (in Japanese Tokumyaku kei).

The Governor controls the positive energy (yang) of the body and the six positive meridians corresponding to the Thick Intestine; to the Thin Intestine; to the Stomach; to the Bladder; to the Bile Vesicle, and to the Triple Thermostat (or Triple Regulator of Temperature).

The Triple Thermostat is a point located between the penis and the testicles, that in Orient it is considered so important as a main organ.

During these exercises, when the energy ascends through the Governor Spleed, are benefitted the positive meridians and its corresponding organs. Once - through this meridian - the transferred energy complete its road - and it arrives to the Governor 26 (in Japanese Jinchu) - the performer will guide this energy down, to the meridian Concepcion Spledd (in Japanese Ninmyaku).

To connect the Governor with the Concepcióo, the tongue plays an essential function; being necessary to support it in the superior palate.

The Concepcion controls the six negative meridians (yin) in the body, corresponding to the Lung; to the Spleen; to the Heart; to the Kidney; to the Pericardium and to the Liver, and, when the energy has been driven through the Concepcion, the negative meridians - and its corresponding organs - are benefitted.

Once the energy full entirely the Concepcion, joins with the Governor - in a continuous cycle - completing then what is called "Small Cycle (or circle) of the Sky" (Shoshyuten).

The following step is to begin to use a type of abdominal breathing - that Okinawan people denominates Mnun - retaining the breathing, while special muscular exercises are carried out.

This type of Ki kyo increases the circulation of blood and energy in the internal organs, and it expels the accumulated toxins, also improving the condition and flexibility of the interior organs and of the skin.

Once dominated Mnun breathing, the performer begins to train the "Great Cycle (or circle) of the Sky" (Daishyuten), charging the specific vital points with the performer's own energy, as an acupuncture form.

During the training of Daishyuten, the performer learns how to unite his energy with the Earth. This is called "ne ga tsuku" (to root or to take root). This training trusts in the ability of transferring the energy toward the feet's plants, and from there to the Earth, and then to unite the whole body in one single thing, through the exercises of the ki.

After creating a solid root, ther performer learns how to connect the ki of the low part of the body with the superior part of the same one.

Once dominated the training of the Daishyuten, the perpormer begins to trains the Transmission of Energy's exercises.

These exercises train the ability to transfer the energy toward the member that hits. This increases in great form the power of a blow; of a capture, and of any other technique. This type of power created by these exercises, in Okinawa is known as "bu no chikara".

The following exercises are the "Daruma waza" that stimulate the two primary meridians, and each one of the twelve remaining meridians, all well-known as big meridians.

The Daruma training strengthens the meridians of the muscles; skin; blood; organs and bones.

The vibrations - that take place with these exercises relax the corporal tensions - stimulate the circulation of the blood, and expel the accumulated toxins.

FIRST PHASE = Shoshyuten Ki kyo (the small circle of the sky)

To breathe correctly, it should never be filled with oxygen the high part of the chest, but the half part (false ribs height).

When inhaling it is the stomach (not the chest) the one should be filled with oxygen.

When exhaling, at the time that - to expel the air totally - the diaphragm rises, the stomach it should be relaxed.

The aspired oxygen should go right toward the low abdomen ("tan tien"). The " tan tien " is a point of the low abdomen ("hara"), that is located approximately three centimeters under the navel, and three centimeters toward inside the body that - correctly stimulated - it becomes an inexhaustible source of energy.

This breathing type - besides being correct for a good lung ventilation - it favors the mental concentration that will allow to feel the subtle energy that travel the body, and also feel how changes the same one when the relaxation takes place.

The key to be able to transfer the energy ("ki") toward where the will wants to direct it, it is to end up perceiving the same one, "visualizing" the oxygen flow, so much when entering in the body, as when leaving him. To obtain this, absolutely anything will distract the performer's mind.

The back should stay in straight line; the head high; the shoulders behind, and the pelvis lightly bowed forward, to straighten the lowest part in the back. The tip of the tongue should lean on in the palate, just behind the superior front teeth.

To facilitate that the energy flows around - and inside - the organism, the tongue will be the bridge that connects the Spleens that channel the energy of the body, allowing this energy so it moves from one to the other.

These Spleens - called "Concepcion" and "Governor" - represent the "yin" (negative energy), and the "yang" (positive energy).

This breathing type should be slow and natural - that is to say without efforts that produce fatigue - although at the beginning small logical sickness will happen, because of the habit lack of receiving so much oxygen flow in the low part of the lungs and - from these - in the blood.

The Okinawan people sustains that training these breathing exercises, it is possible to arrive to the orbit of the microcosms (small circle of the sky) called Shoshyuten Ki kyo.

The Spleen " Concepcion " travels the front of the body's center, while the " Governor " Spleen travels the behind part's center of the same one. These two Spleens provide energy (" ki ") to the fourteen meridians that in turn transfer it to the organs; muscles; tendons; etc.

The performer will inhale deeply, directing the oxygen toward the " tan tien ", and - mentally concentrated - to imagine (" to visualize ") how the energy (" ki ") flows from the Governor Spleen number 26 (above the superior lip), lowering by the language; the windpipe and the front of his body, toward the Concepcion Spleen number 1 (point between the penis and the anal hole).

When exhaling, the performer will imagine (" to visualize ") the energy (" ki ") flowing from the Concepción Spleen number 1; going by the coccyx; by the dorsal thorn; by the later part of the neck; above the head; and lowering to return toward the Governor Spleen number 26 (above the superior lip).

This cycle will be repeated one and another time, slowly and without abandoning the mental concentration.

INTERPRETATION OF THE SHOSHYUTEN KI KYO BY KENSHIN RYU STYLE

Lowering by the front of the body, and ascending by the dorsal spine, it is the correct form to feel - and to visualize - the energy (" ki "), and its transfer.

In this way the fourteen meridians will receive - and will emit - more energy, and the body will become healthier.

In the breathing system of the style Kenshin Ryu, at the beginning of all the katas, when inhaling, the stomach should be expanded naturally, and when exhaling, the diaphragm - and stomach - should not be contracted. Then, in the breathing exercise with the one all Kenshin Ryu's katas begins, the performer should be relaxed during the whole cycle of this breathing and he should not contract any abdominal muscle.

However in the techniques that are executed in tension (as in Sanchin Kata), when exhaling, all the abdominal muscles should be contracted.

The correct breathing system of Kenshin Ryu style is the following:

= First to inhale taking the oxygen toward the half area of the lungs (false ribs heigh) - and not toward the chest - and to relax-the abdominal muscles.

= Then to direct the air toward the low area of the lungs (low abdomen), tightening the lightly abdominal muscles, and making force with the anal hole - and testicles - up, and inside the body.

= Later to exhale lifting the diaphragm and - once expelled totally the air - to relax completely the abdominal muscles, and to lower the anal hole, and testicles, taking care that the sphincter doesn't leave the rectum.

--This work with the sphincter - and the anal hole - it is very important to avoid hemorrhoids.

SECOND PHASE = Daishyuten Ki kyo (the great circle of the sky).

Training these exercises (Daishyuten), the performer charges the specific vital points with his own energy, and learns how to unite it with the energy of the Earth. This is called "to root" or "to take root" (in Japanese "ne ga tsuku"), and it consists on driving the energy toward the feet's plants, and from then to the Earth, looking for - through these exercises - to unite the whole body in a single thing.

After achieving a solid root, the students trains connecting the energy (" ki ") of the low part of their body with the superior part of the same one.

These breathing exercises - and transfer of the energy toward the members (arms and legs), toward the neck and head, and toward all the organs of the body - in Okinawa are known as Daishyuten Ki kyo (big circle of the sky).

Daishyuten exercises - the same as a correct execution of the katas Sanchin and Tensho - will create a great energy flow ("ki") in the superior and inferior members, at the same time that will strengthen vastly the muscles; tendons; skin and organs.

In this stage it is also very important that the feet hold on - as roots - to the floor, so that - through the legs and the feet - the energy of our body goes down to the earth, and so that - also through the feet and the legs - the energy of the earth ascends and enter in the body.

Newly after having ended up dominating this type of breathing exercises, and transfer of the energy (Shoshyuten Ki kyo and Daishyuten Ki kyo), it is that the performer will be could transfer this energy toward those places where his will directs it, and becaue of the same thing - of achieving a good execution in the katas Sanchin and Tensho. If it was tried to do before, the Spleens " Concepción " and " Governor " would be empty of energy, and the result would be negative and alsol noxious to the health.

INTERPRETATION OF KENSHIN RYU STYLE

A correct execution of the katas Sanchin and Tensho are ideal to complete the previous cycles with the following phases of energy transmission ("bu no chikara"), and of invigoration of the meridians of the muscles; bleed; skin; organs and bones ("Daruma waza").

Well executed, these katas stimulates in excellent form each one of the biggest fourteen meridians, taking place vibrations that improve the circulation of the blood, and expel the accumulated toxins, relaxing the corporal tensions completely.