Recollections of Ki – Past and Present

This past Saturday (8/14/10), I taught  a seminar at American College of Martial Arts in Burlington, NC on the subject of Ki/energy.  This was the first in a series of four Ki/Energy sessions.  I have instructed these seminars dozens of times, yet  it still amazes me each time I do them.  What really gets to me is observing the participants as they experience the Ki -building process for the first time and seeing the light come into their eyes as they feel the energy flow move through their bodies and begin to harness it for their own use.

Decades ago in korea when I first started training in Hapkido , my instructor had the class practice  various Ki-building exercises. since there was a language barrier, it was never really explained to me what was going on.  I didn’t realize exactly what I was doing.  It wasn’t until years later that I understood the importance of those early classes.

Of all the things I teach I honestly feel that the energy classes are my favorite. The word “Hapkido” broken down means “The Way of Coordinating Energy”. with every technique I teach or work on, I attempt to incorporate Ki elements into it.

Another  great thing about Ki is that once  you experience it and the more often you practice it, it takes less and less  effort  to bring it forth.  It still, even after all this time, astonishes me  that every time I need it , it’s always  there to make me stronger or to concentrate my efforts in a more dynamic way.

Our second ki seminar session takes place on Saturday, August 28th. I look forward to assisting the seminar participants in making ki available and adding it to their martial arts “toolbelt.” when seeing my students  get an understanding the first time of Ki, it thrills me  just as much as when I first understood and began to use  it in my martial arts practice.

-Grandmaster John Dowdy, 2010

There is still space available to join the ki/Energy

Sessions on Saturday, August 28th. Cost is $25 per session. Contact Master John Dowdy for further information at (336)266-3945.

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