Description:
Beginners focus on learning to adopt very extreme stances, built on the
principles of developing strength and tenacity from Yok Geun. This
technique is one of opening joints to their maximum range of motion and
holding them open for ever longer periods of time. Harmonized muscular
development is a primary goal in Gicheon and much attention is paid to
safe, facilitating warm-ups. Total body conditioning and strength is
required to progress.

Intermediate students move on to a variety of forms and drills (solo or
partner) for unarmed, sword, and staff skills. Progress is slow and
always routed in the gradual expansion of application of the basic
techniques. The art prides itself on efficiency and effectiveness, both
in combat and in developing health.

The most striking thing about Gicheon is the means of generating power
and the tactics for employing that power effectively.

Training:
Training involves demanding stance work, solo drills and study of forms.
Free sparring is generally not done by its potentially critical danger to both partners.
Students are expected to learn and demonstrate multiple interpretations
and applications for the basic principles in addition to discovering
their own.

The following Information was kindly Provided by:
Master, Lee Ki-Tae
Copyright © GiCheon SangMuWon. All Rights Reserved
Contact: Master, Lee Ki-Tae
Email: gicheonmaster@yahoo.com
Home Page: http://www.gicheon.org

“An ancient Korean traditional mind body discipline for the pursuit of lifelong mental and physical health”

Seolarksan mountain in Gangwon-do Korea where GiCheon is assumed to have originated

ShimBeop (mind discipline)
DahnHak (abdominal breath)
DohHak (cosmic reality or enlightenment)
HwalMyeongHak (healing or revitalization ways)
YeaHak (the art of performing virtues of GiCheon)
MuHak (martial art: hand to hand, sword, bong, fans, etc)

What is GiCheon?

Among the great truth-seekers of the past who hesitated to reduce the ultimate goal of physical and mental discipline to a word or phrase were some sages in Korea. Their path toward this nameless truth, to the studying and teaching of which they devoted their lives, has come to be known as GiCheon.

Gi, a well-known concept throughout Asia, is perhaps best translated as "life force" or "energy." This concept is central to GiCheon philosophy. It is this internal energy, this vital essence, that oriental medicine has long regarded as crucial to health and healing, and that practitioners of many martial arts have cultivated as a secret weapon in combat.

Korean ancestors had believed the Gi as the beginning (or source) of material and the universe, and the Heavens as the most extreme scale of existence (or entity). So the name of GiCheon implies that it includes every principle of ranging from the smallest to the biggest scale (of the human body or universe).

The origin
This unique training method is assumed to have been passed down secretly by nameless sages who lived amidst the mountains in Korea. However, since none have left behind their names or any other written material which is commonly founded aspects in any Korean traditional cultural heritages, the origin and history of GiCheon remain something of a mystery.

GiCheon only became known to Korean society-at-large in the late 1960’s or the early 1970's, when GiCheon practitioner Park Dae-Yang who had been taught by “WonHye SangIhn (SangIhn: the supreme title of a GiCheon practitioner)” left behind his reclusive life in mountains with the mission of teaching all humans how to achieve happiness in their aspiration for “cosmic reality,” ”self-awareness,” or “enlightenment.”

Because GiCheon has been preserved in its original form, without pandering to fads within the way of practice, today’s GiCheon trainees can learn the same techniques and forms as did the GiCheon masters thousands of years ago.

GiCheon is also systematic and scientific, so that almost everyone, from aged people with poor health, to youngsters who have an interest in the martial arts, can train both safely and enjoyably. It is a low-impact, gentle martial art that can be practiced by almost anyone, including those with most pre-existing health conditions or injuries. And for those who suffer from joint and back pain, it’s a welcome alternative to meditating for hours in the crossed-leg position.

GiCheon is not a religion, but it is a spiritual practice based on a unique traditional Korean philosophy: the harmony between Eum (negative) and Yang (positive) and the philosophy of the three elements called “SahmJae (the Heavens, the Earth, and the Human being)” in Korean. While practicing GiCheon, one can realize how this philosophy will be actualized within his body and mind.

Above all, GiCheon is a holistic approach to health - the main goal of GiCheon is to establish and maintain the natural balance and harmony of the body and mind. By restoring the flow of “Gi,” or healing energy throughout the body, GiCheon has even been known to cure physical ailments where conventional medicine failed.

The curricula

There are three basic paths of study within the GiCheon tradition: JeongBeop (static), DongBeop (moving) and ShimBeop (mind) disciplines. One of the uniqueness of GiCheon is, unlike other disciplines, these three disciplines are well united with each other. Therefore, without static, moving or mind disciplines will become meaningless or vice versa.

1) Static discipline

“Static discipline (JeongBeop – Jeong: static, Beop: discipline)” or “GiBeop (Gi discipline)” is the most basic course. In this course, students practice holding the six basic GiCheon still poses. Emphasis is put on correct form in the YeokGeun position, strength, endurance and abdomen breath.

This is the introductory course for GiCheon, but as JeongBeop forms are the foundation of other GiCheon techniques, and therefore essential for its mastery, trainees are expected to practice it continually. It is said that practitioners in the mountains would practice the six JeongBeop postures for 18 years in the mountain, devoting three years of study to each one of the poses.

2) Moving discipline

In “DongBeop,” literally “Moving discipline” or “ShinBeop (Shin: body, Beop: discipline),” motion is applied to the six basic positions of static discipline for the purpose of self-defense, sparring, or performance art. Students learn to fight with empty hand - using both the fist (Gwon) and the palm (Jang) - and with tools such as the sword (Geom), long stick (Bong), and Korean fan (BuChae).

At this stage, students learn how to tap into their internal and external forces and move their bodies effectively, like a wild animal -- with strength and power, but also suppleness and elegance.

3) Mind discipline

ShimBeop (literally “Mind discipline”) is a course designed to help students attain “enlightenment” or “cosmic reality.” Trainees learn about GiCheon meditation and philosophy, while practicing techniques that will bring about self-awareness and enlightenment.
Ultimately, mind discipline is about focusing practitioner’s mind on one. That’s how one can get the Doh (the Way or Ultimate Truth) with supreme level of concentration achieved by that. In one word, one can really realize the Way.
Therefore, if one desires to realize the Ultimate Truth, he should do NaeGa ShinJang in YeokGeun as perfectly as possible which accordingly brings the extreme hardship to himself mentally and physically. If one does NaeGa ShinJang with ease, he may get the benefit of abdomen breath but can’t achieve “IlShim (Il: one, Shim: mind - the one mind or the ultimate mental concentration)

ShimGi DahnBeop
GiCheon is “GoHaeng (Go: hardship or ascetic, Haeng: to go or practice - hardship practice)” which one must eventually overcome his innerself against the “Go (ascetic or hardship or pain)”. And GoHaeng is just “SuHaeong (Su: to train or practice, Haeng: to go or practice).
There can be no other mind or thought.

4) The purposes

l To stimulate the acupunctural points and Gi channels
l To unblock the Gi channels
l To strengthen and accelerate Gi pressure & flow
l To generate and harness Gi power
l To exercise muscles & ligaments which are commonly neglected and to develop them
l To increase flexibility & softness of muscles & ligaments
l To use force (abdominal power) properly
l To invigorate & sustain vitality, and so on

YeokGeun targets every joint of the body: wrists, waist, knees, ankles, and more. Joints are like passages to let Gi flow into all areas of the body. They are also believed to be junctions where Eum (negative) & Yang (positive) Gi channels come together.

By working the trigger points, however, and releasing the Gi, many injuries can be overcome in time.

5) Practicing YeokGeun

A Korean traditional archery called “GakGung” has unique principle in the world, and so, it flies much longer, faster, and powerfully. According to historical writing, that’s why Korean ancestors including their relatives Mongolians and Manchurians had conquered main land china with outnumbered chinese and ruled it for over 15 centuries in the periods of A.D.

The body is much like the bow before it is strung. Once in the position, a stretch is applied to the muscle much like the string to the bow. Also, as with the bow once strung, it contains much energy.

“GakGung” - a Korean traditional archery (example of YeokGeun principle)

To put your right hand into YeokGeun, first you bring your right hand in front of your face and then stretch out the right arm forward with the elbow bent a bit. Next, flex your wrist, stretching the surrounding muscles and ligaments to the utmost as the fingertips angle toward the center of your face.

Keep the tip of your middle finger at eye-height and your curved wrist inward with the palm extended flat and all the fingers stretched straight. Breathe deeply in & out, concentrating on the wrist.

4) The benefits

One of the effects of YeokGeun is greater immediate strength. When the joints are locked in this position, for example, the hand becomes elastic and flexible, and therefore much more effective against an opponent. But the long-term effects of practicing YeokGeun are even more impressive.

5) Philosophical implications

YeokGeun also has philosophical implications which embody the notion of "The Middle Path (JungDoh)," the detached or neutral state-of-mind that precedes enlightenment. The tension between the two opposing muscle groups -- the inner and outer -- embodies the notion of "The Middle Path (JungDoh)." The tension on the surrounding muscles groups represents the difficulties of life, or turmoil, imposed upon human beings from the outside, while on the inside there is stability and calm -- represented by the locking of the joints.

Without a doubt, the person who practices YeokGeun feels more composed and serene. And only when the human mind is free from all bondage can it realize the cosmic reality.

5. NaeGa ShinJang, the heart of GiCheon

At the heart of GiCheon is NaeGa ShinJang, a difficult stance that trainees lovingly and deploringly call "The Pain." It's an awkward looking position that resembles the form a phoenix assumes before hatching her eggs. We call this “the heart of GiCheon” because it tells everything about GiCheon and also has every study in it. It is assumed that this pose would be created first than any other pose in GiCheon.

1) The name

NaeGa ShinJang is a way of discipline of keeping one’s spirit inside the body or becoming spiritually independent against all odds. However, other names include “GiCheon TaeYang YeokGeun NaeGa ShinJang (TaeYang: the sun - This pose are conducted, originally facing to the rising Sun)” or “MahBeop NaeGa ShinJang" or “Mah Beop (Riding horse position).”

The latter referring to a method the ancients used to mount a horse. Many of the basic taichi, kungfu, and other martial arts positions have been traced back to NaeGa ShinJang. Through this and YeokGeun, GiCheon practitioners believe it is possible to achieve the ultimate level of spiritual development.

2) The philosophy; the truth, itself

NaeGa ShinJang is a self-contained truth -- an end within itself. In other words, it isn't necessary for students to ponder abstract questions about the nature of the cosmos or to strive for spiritual awakening while in this position. Surely enough, a trainee will reach a state of meditation in this stance, in part because it is nearly impossible not to breathe deeply from the abdomen while holding this position. All that remains is for the student to completely empty his or her mind of all prejudices and expectations -- to allow for spiritual awakening to occur spontaneously.

3) The benefits

NaeGa ShinJang has also verifiable healing powers. It stimulates all of the major acupunctural points on the body and opens the Gi channels, making it possible for many ailments and diseases to heal naturally. People suffering from serious ailments such as scoliosis or slipped discs, shoulder pain, cancer, arthritis, paralysis, apoplexy, aging problems, diabetes, chronic headaches, and even obesity have all experienced dramatic improvement after practicing GiCheon regularly for six months or more.

NaeGa ShinJang not only develops both of the Yeum and Yang muscles together but also strengthens the bones and ligaments. It means that when a strike of the weapon, for example, a stick or wooden sword can be less outstandingly damaged to an experienced practitioner (Please remind the TahTong). It also intensifies abdominal power by accumulating the Gi in the body, expands and develops three abdomens (the lower, middle and upper abdomen).

Meanwhile, NaeGa ShinJang can make the practitioner to realize the culmination (perfection or acme or extreme) of activity (movement or motion) by inactivity (a static state).

4) How to pose

In NaeGa ShinJang, the primary position of GiCheon, the legs are spread shoulder-length, feet firmly pressed flat against the floor, and the ankles (toes before) are turned inward at a sharp angle (the YeokGeun principle), creating one triangle shape, while the legs are bent down and inward, creating yet another triangle that extends from the navel to the ankles. It's believed that the triangle shape also helps generate the flow of Gi (like pyramids), and in so doing, can help practitioners progress spiritually as well as physically.

NaeGa ShinJang

The knees are then bent down and inward, as close to the floor as they can possibly go while still maintaining a space approximately the size of two fists between them. The back is arched -- buttocks pushed out and shoulders back -- so that strain is put on the long, vertical muscles that run down both sides of the spine. The arms are then stretched out in front, above shoulder-height, with palms pressed outward. The ankles, knees, waist, shoulders, and wrists are locked tight in the YeokGeun position.

In NaeGa ShinJang, students feel an extreme stretch in the ankles and outer shin muscles, and intense strain on the quads, buttocks, muscles of the back and shoulders. The muscles in the neck and shoulders are not tensed to the point of being "uptight," however. The neck remains relaxed, the eyes closed, and the breath steady. Meanwhile, the GiCheon master beats students with bamboo rods (Tah Tong) in order to stimulate the flow of Gi throughout the body.

The cumulative effect of NaeGa ShinJang is considerable, although not unbearable, physical and mental pain. And students are required to hold this position for as long as possible, five minutes being the minimum for beginners. More advanced students might hold the position for well over an hour.

Originally, the nameless GiCheon sages practiced NaeGa ShinJang from sunrise to sunset while facing the Sun on the East Sea.

5) The TahTong and its benefits

One of the reasons NaeGa ShinJang is so effective in treating illnesses is that it incorporates one of the therapies used in oriental medicine to treat patients suffering from paralysis, a treatment called Tah Tong (Tah: beat, Tong: flow). Using bamboo rods, oriental doctors of the not-so-distant past would literally beat patients suffering from paralysis or apoplexy to help stimulate the affected part of the body.

In GiCheon too, TahTong is used to treat a kind of paralysis -- paralytic or stagnant Gi. In the NaeGa ShinJang position, a GiCheon teacher will beat students on the back, arms, and legs with a set of thin bamboo sticks, or for more power, one large bamboo rod, wooden stick, wooden sword, and even iron stick.

To the uninitiated, it sounds masochistic, but the pain of TahTong is really quite mild, especially when compared to its benefits. The stimulation on the skin and muscles breaks through the blocked Gi channels, causing a tingling sensation throughout the body. And in areas where there is a pre-existing injury, TahTong creates a greater feeling of strength and stability -- less pain, in effect, than before the treatment.

This is also one of the few instances in which the GiCheon master comes into physical contact with trainees during practice and it's believed that the master passes

on some portion of his power, some of his Gi, to his students through TahTong. It is said that TahTong would have been performed to only a selected student when GiCheon passed down in the mountains because of its enormous outcome.

NaeGa ShinJang is one of the greatest contributions of GiCheon, offering trainees extraordinary benefits. Through it, students learn the virtues of patience and perseverance, and can experience mental catharsis and unimaginable physical and mental empowerment -- something that cannot be expressed in words alone.

An Online Resource:

http://www.gicheon.org

"GiCheon (http://www.gicheon.org)" - An ancient Korean traditional mind body discipline for the pursuit of lifelong mental and physical health.

GiCheon DVD titled "Ki(Gi):The Science of Internal Energy
(http://www.turtlepress.com/Ki_DVD_p/dvd-ki.htm)" - If you are seeking a unique ki(Gi) training method or are new to the concepts of internal energy, this DVD will open your eyes to the possibilities within you.