The concept of Ki

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The Taoist Cosmology, detailed in our Oriental Theory section, to which the concept of Ki belongs, arrived to Korea before the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), as also presented in our Hanbang and Han Kuk Mu Sul History sections.

Ki is most correlated to "breath" and "vitality". Ki can be resumed as "life force" or "vital energy", as it is supposedly the Universal Energy that gives and nurtures Life. this concept is not unique to Oriental Cultures, as it exist throughout the World, with different names and nuances in its characteristics.

There may be some evidences that the concept was developed in Northern India, and spread East and West, where it was adapted by different Cultures. As a reference, Hindus call it "prana" and Greeks know it as "pneuma".

The etymology of the Ki Hanja ideogram (氣) is composed by Steam (气) and Rice (米), and has an underlying alchemical meaning. In Taoist Alchemy, Ki is heated, raised and sublimated (steam) into Spiritual energy, by cooking the rice (sexual energy) through alchemical exercises. Once more, here is presented the Oriental materialistic approach to energy and Life, as matter and energy are different states of the same fundamental substance, defined by its functional condition.

To put it in a more practical way, Ki is a subtle metaphysical energy defined by its material and functional properties. Matter and function are the Um-Yang complementary sides of Life, as function needs a material substrate to work, and matter gains life through its functional activity.

Scientists study Ki by investigating biochemical reactions, and microelectric currents. And, in recent times, researchers and scholars (not the esoteric ones) have a tendency to consider Ki as a property of matter, and not as a separate subtle essence (something totally impossible to prove).

One way or another, in practical terms, you can actually feel Ki when you get an acupuncture treatment and the accupuncturist whirls the needle inducing your Ki to flow; or even through Ji Ap or by a gentle Kupso pressing technique performed by a training partner.

In Oriental traditional theory, Ki is closely related to blood and body fluids circulation and accumulation, and is divided into different types, depending on origin, distribution and function. Then, the Ki is the sum of all Ki obtained form the following different sources:

• Congenital Ki is the Ki that we are born with. It is essentially limited and the quality and amount of this Ki represents our basic constitution. It is inherited from your parents, is stored in the Kidneys and determines your basic constitution, strength and vitality. It can be conserved but not replenished.
  
  
• Acquired Ki, this kind of Ki is derived from the foods we eat and the air we breath. The quality of acquired Ki depends on our lifestyle habits such as food quality, balance of emotions, and physical exercise. It can be stored and replenished.

An introduction on how to master and control Ki flow is presented in our Ki Gong section.

Blood

The concept of Ki and its functioning cannot be understood without explaining the role of the Blood in the creation and distribution of Ki in the human body.

Following ancient traditional beliefs, when the Essence obtained from the food is taken through the Stomach and Spleen, to the Heart and Lungs, it is then transformed into blood. The Kidney stores the Essence, and its Ki promotes the function of Spleen, Lung and Heart, stimulating the formation of blood, responsible for nourishing organs and tissues.

In spite of the scientific inaccuracies of this thousand years old approach to understanding human body physiology, it is very important to grasp the idea behind it, which is a major element on Ki flow mechanics: "the formation and circulation of the blood depends on Ki availability, and the formation and distribution of Ki is related and blood flow". Ki commands Blood, and Blood is the Mother of Ki.

"Wherever the blood flows, Ki follows; if the blood flow stops, Ki stagnates". This is of utmost importance for Kupso Chirigui tactics.

Kupso Chirigui Ki manipulation

Oriental medicine seeks to balance and harmonize Um and Yang, and the flow of Ki. The dynamic interaction of the two maintains the body in a healthy state and the Ki flowing, with strong vitality and ability to resist disease.

Kupso Chirigui seeks to unbalance Um and Yang and the flow of Ki, to imobilize, induce pain, injury or even kill an opponent. Ji Ap is the opposite, healing manipulation procedure. If you learn Kupso Chirigui, you must learn Ji Ap and traditional revival techniques.

A good example of a Master of Ji Ap and Kupso Chirigui was Won Hyo, the Monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year of 686 AD. See the page Kupso chirigui: The Origins.

On the other hand, Ki Gong works on balancing, and redirecting blood and Ki flow, using your mind and breathing techniques, for specific purposes, as enhancing power, resisting blows and increasing awareness.