Ki Breathing

Ki Breathing may be done in any position; the best position is when sitting seiza (kneeling). Ki Breathing should be done for 20 minutes at a time. You should be able to continue Ki Breathing for 30 minutes; this is a minimum goal to attain. Ki Breathing should be natural, not forced. Ki Breathing will allow you to consume more oxygen and expel more carbon dioxide than most breathing methods. Ki Breathing will energize and relax you at the same time. Ki Breathing will enhance your ability to coordinate mind and body. Ki Breathing will allow you to become more centered and positive.
Correct Ki Breathing is difficult to master because just being able to sit still for 20 minutes at a time is a task in itself; so do not force it. Breathe as long as you can until you feel the urge to stop; when this happens, it is time to stop. At first, breathing should be done at the same time every day. The next day, breathe at least as long as you did the day before. Continue this process until you can reach the 30 minute goal. Remember that slow and consistent practice will allow you to benefit the most from Ki Breathing.

I find that Ki Breathing, just before bedtime, will enable me to sleep more soundly and wake up faster, feeling totally rested. Ki Breathing is also helpful in finding solutions to problems. Concentrate on the problem at hand before you start to breathe. Start breathing but do not think about the problem; when you finish Ki Breathing, you may have a better idea of how to solve your problem. If you get nervous, before a presentation or any stressful activity, Ki Breathing will allow you to relax and complete the task at hand with confidence and relaxed control.

The following is a description of the Ki Breathing Method:


Position yourself in the correct seiza posture; sitting kneeling...lower back in...leaning slightly forward over your center. This will be referred to as the neutral postion.
Concentrate correctly; imagine your mind at your center (3 inches below your navel)... let your muscles naturally relax but do not collapse... focus your Ki (attention/energy) away from your body and your center.
Exhale first: open your mouth and begin to let your breath flow naturally out. As you exhale, create the sound "HAAAA" as softly as possible. Use your throat muscles to control the flow of your breath. If you do not control your breath, the exhalation will be done much too quickly. When you cannot exhale any longer, bend slightly forward from your center. This will compress the diaphragm and allow you to exhale a bit more. After shifting forward and exhaling completely, return to the neutral position and concentrate on your center, still imagining that you are exhaling. Remain in the neutral position for 5 seconds. The exhalation cycle should take 35 seconds in total... exhale for 30 seconds and hold for 5 seconds.
Inhale next: close your mouth and begin to let the air flow naturally through your nose. Use your throat muscles to control the flow of your breath. If you do not control your breath, the inhalation will be done much too quickly. When you cannot inhale any longer, bend slightly backward from your center. This will expand the diaphragm and allow you to inhale a bit more. After shifting backward and inhaling completely, return to the neutral position and concentrate on your center, still imagining that you are inhaling. Remain in the neutral position for 5 seconds. The inhalation cycle should take 25 seconds in total...inhale for 20 seconds and hold for 5 seconds.
Remember, do not force this exercise; if a 30 second exhalation is too much for you to do, then reduce th4e exhalation to 20 seconds or whatever feels right. But remember to also reduce the inhalation time to 2/3 of the exhalation trime. Always hold the neutral position for 5 seconds, no matter how much the inhalation or exhalation times change.
When inhaling and exhaling, imagine that your Ki is flowing along with your breath. This will allow you to maximaize the effect of Ki Breathing to your overall well-being.