Dan Jun breathing

Dan Jun breathing

Dan Jun breathing is widely practised by students of Korean martial arts, including Hapkido and Haedong Kumdo.

Students of Hapkido learn Dan Jun breathing exercises from the very first class, to help them locate and become aware of their centre.

As students advance, Dan Jun breathing exercises help them build inner strength and increase the effectiveness of their techniques. By harnessing their Ki power, students can create maximum results with minimum physical exertion.

In many martial arts, such as Hapkido, movements should originate from the Dan Jun area for optimum effectiveness. By focusing the energy originating from the body’s centre, techniques become fluid and synchronised.

There are a number of recognised methods for strengthening and focusing the energy of the Dan Jun, including Ki gong (Ki focusing) and Dan Jun breathing.

How the exercise is performed

Hapkido stylists practise lower abdominal breathing exercises to develop Ki flow throughout the body. The student opens the fingers as wide as possible — not with tension, but in a relaxed manner. At the same time he breathes in through the nose down to the lower abdomen, and then breathes out through the mouth. This type of exercise helps to bring Ki to the hands and fingers, or to the parts of the body that will require Ki for self defence.