KIKO & KARATE – 気功 & 空手

BREATH & ENERGY WORK IN OKINAWA GOJU-RYU KARATE

Saturday & Sunday, February 15 & 16, 2025 – 3rd kyu and up

Most traditional martial arts from China and Okinawa rely – in various levels of depth and refinement – on the experience and regulation of life force [ki], which closely relates to the way we breathe, and integrates the experience and performance of our body and mind.

In Okinawa goju-ryu karate, the concept of ‘tanden‘ – the energy field in the heart of the lower abdomen – plays a central role in the energy work or kiko of our style. In addition specific ways of integrative abdominal breathing are trained in the heishugata [closed forms; breath power forms], junbi undo [preparatory exercises] and hojo undo [supportive bodymind power training]. The practice of sanchin and tensho kata also add generating energy flow in the two central channels and various other energy pathways in the limbs. Sensitivity to energy, conscious or unconscious, also potentially plays a role in fighting drill and practices.

From the perspective of kiko in general, more commonly known as qigong, sanchin and tensho are both so-called hard-style kiko practices, and have been considered to hold the essence of our style by many masters of the lineage.

When one does not aim for understanding, experience and practice of this energetic dimension of our style one does not practice traditional goju-ryu karate-do – as this relies on the integration of internal and external power. The outcome of one’s training will be different, even though it may still look like goju-ryu on the outside.

Views and practices from adjacent or overlapping traditions such as Zen or various other types of qigong [kiko] can help to understand the innate energy work of Okinawa goju-ryu karate, and its role in body-mind integration. That, at least, has been my personal experience. In addition, views and practices from modern bodymind disciplines and recent scientific findings around physiology, anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, etc. may also elucidate, enrich and guide our practice. However, in my opinion, they can not replace it.

For me teaching traditional karate in modern times means to embrace the wisdom of ‘old school’ and integrate the wisdom of ‘new school’. As a Chief Instructor, carrier and protector of the tradition, I feel concern about the dying out of some of the ‘old school’ aspects of our style. This, and the tremendous joy and blessings I have experienced in studying and working with these internal aspects of what we do, are the main drivers behind organizing this event.

In this seminar I will give my best to share and transmit practical, experiential and conceptual essences of what I have learned about breathing and energy work, from my broad research on this topic, and in the context of Okinawa goju-ryu karate.

I will primarily use the practices that we already do, but here and there I will add some historically and practically relevant practices from adjacent disciplines – like white crane qigong, standing meditation, etc. – to clarify the principles of breath and energy work in our style.

Logistic information and an online subscription form will follow later. The max will be around 32 – 36, if we do it at Ken Kon in Wageningen. If you want to secure a place you can mail to info@kenkon.org and provide your name, grade, style, dojo, country and age.