Moo Pal Dan Khum - Part 2

By Master Daniel Segarra and Master David Allerton

“Ji Gam” means energy awareness. These are exercises to help you better understand and experience your energy. Each exercise is designed to give you a deeper connection to each of the Moo Pal Dan Khum techniques. Although most of these exercises should allow you to connect with your energy immediately, don’t get discouraged if things don’t go exactly as planned. Energy is very subtle and if you try and force it you will miss it. Relaxed concentration is the Ki !

With Moo Pal Dan Khum exercise you can feel a strong sensation of tingling, heat or vibration in the palms, it feels almost like a magnetic repulsion getting stronger as the palms get closer. To experience this directly, hold the palms relaxed several inches apart, as though holding a ball. Close your eyes and inhale for 5 allowing the abdomen to relax and expand, then pause for 5 concentrating attention at the Dan Jun, finally exhale for 5 and feel the abdomen contract. Feel the sensation as you expand your energy drawing the palms further apart then bringing them back together. Eventually you will feel energy with just one palm then try projecting it forward and out. After several minutes practicing this exercise perform some Tai Chi and feel the energy amplified with every movement. With practice you will be able to experience it on command.

The concept of Ki goes far beyond it's literal meaning. It is a combination of elemental forces that are manifested by our bodies energies and the universe. There are many types of Ki just as there are many types of energy.

These exercises use the body’s intuitive knowledge and movement to unlock unnecessary tension (the wrong placement of energy) in the body and allow the energy to flow naturally. Without realizing it our instinctive reaction to stress known as the ‘fight or flight’ response, results in maintaining an unhealthy level of tension throughout our day. It can be subtle such as hypertonicity (tightness) in the neck and shoulders or not so subtle such as walking around with a scowl most of the day. The sad fact is that it becomes “normal” and most times we don’t even know it is there until we experience symptoms such as pain or headache.

By practicing the Moo Pal Dan Khum we learn to relax and ‘pay attention to the slightest change from full to empty’ as stated in the ancient poem the “Song of the Thirteen energies”. We can then sense the tension rise in us and take conscious control by breathing and relaxing, allowing our energy to continue to flow unimpeded, adding valuable time to our lives by breathing properly and releasing stress. The Song reinforces this point “What is the purpose of the martial arts ? To prolong life beyond the normal span”. Ponder this question carefully. Furthermore, we should also ask the question “Is there a martial benefit to the “Warrior” set “ ? As we progress in our MPDK practice and become proficient at generating energy through the kinetic chain, mind/body connection there is a direct transfer into our Tang Soo Do technique. Concentration and focus to the “one point” is enhanced resulting in a smoother and more powerful flow of useable power.

WE SHALL NOW DESCRIBE THE LAST 4 EXERCISES TO COMPLETE YOUR PRACTISE:

No 5 > Stand feet together, left hand over right. Raise the hands so that as they reach head height the eyes follow the hands and you lean back slightly. Apply low abdominal tensioning to halt the extension then lower the hands slowly towards the ground – exhale. Inhale as you slowly raise back up again and bring the palms to the waist before pushing forward exhaling once again.

No 6 > Bend one leg and extend the other to the side resting on the heel, toes up with one hand resting lightly above the outstretched knee, take an in breath, then hold and exhale. Try to relax and imagine the out breath massaging the muscle at the back of the leg and smoothing out tension. Repeat on the opposite side and keep moving from one side to the other, as you do so the stretch will gradually increase. If there is an imbalance and excess tension then do 2 or more breaths on that side.

No 7 > This exercise gives a feeling of being grounded as well as stretching the centreline at the back by arching forwards. It is variously described as looking over the shoulder and incorporating a movement from an earlier set known as "pushing the mountain". In our school we feel the looking over the shoulder is more efficiently used when pulling the fist back to the hip in MPDK4. In this version we draw both hands to the hip and inhale, continue the movement by pushing the arms forward in a wide arc maintaining low abdominal tensioning. Visualise trying to push something solid with both palms then release turning the palms to face each other forming a circle and return to the start position before once again pushing the palms forward and exhaling.

No 8 > Place both palms into the lower back for support. Inhale and extend back looking up. Halt the movement with low abdominal tension then return to the upright position breathing out. Raise up upon the toes then jolt down onto the heel. Repeat. This final exercise helps promote circulation along the “Kyung Rak” or energy pathways since it is believed that the channels flow from the Dan Jun up the spine and back down once more to the front.

According to the ancient texts the best time to practice is sunrise followed by sunset. In today’s modern times that might be challenging for most. Try to practice at a consistent time where you can find a quiet place. But any time you have a moment to yourself you can practice these exercises. The best area is outside with fresh air appreciating the beauty of nature which surrounds us. Moo Pal Dan Khum regulates energy and is useful for those with low blood pressure or lethargy. We therefore practice at the very start of class to prepare ourselves for the hard training to come then at the end of class we meditate to bring ourselves back to earth.

Because Ki Gong is a very subtle art, distractions can slow your progress. Distractions can come both externally and internally. Take a few moments to relax and clear your thoughts. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Do some dynamic stretching to prepare the body and mind correctly. Don’t eat for at least one hour before practicing. Eating before practice will cause blood flow to go toward digestion and impede your practice.

Basic Ki Gong uses what is called “diaphragmatic breathing”. That is breathing with abdominal movement just like a baby. Most people breathe with their chest, but at birth and for at least a year afterward we breathe with our abdomen (Dan Jun). We learn through stress, muscle tension and bad habits to breathe with our chest which only involves the upper portion of the lungs. Expanding and relaxing the abdomen pulls on the diaphragm allowing you to use the lungs to full capacity. The pause or holding stage is the most important for developing Ki. This is the stage when you feel the energy in your palms the most. Also remember that breathing should not be forced but controlled and as light as a feather. As you become more experienced extend the in breath as far as possible up to 10 seconds then seal the breath for a further 15-20 seconds , breathing out lightly and controlled for 10. This will result in just 2 breaths per minute and demonstrate excellent progress providing you are relaxed. Remember to take a "recovery" breath in between each exercise.

Is there any scientific evidence for the mind/body connection? According to “Zen Training” by Katsuki Sekida (page51) “The thought controlling power of the hypothalamus in the brain can be regarded as a mental or spiritual power. However, the power is sustained by the stimulation coming from the tension in the respiratory muscles of the abdomen, which do not themselves think, of course, but by their straining permit that power to be generated. So we may regard these muscles – or the Dan Jun in general – as the root of spiritual power “. This is how Zen students can meditate for long periods at a time !

If you require any further help or have additional questions then please email:
allertondavid@yahoo.com