Basic Danjon Breathing – Physical Meditation

Danjon breathing is one of the most important exercises in Sinmoo Hapkido. It is designed to connect the heart and mind to the body through the use of the breath and ki. It is considered a moving meditation and a breathing exercise that practices taking the breath, consolidating it as ki in the lower abdomen, and then moving it to the hands for physical use.

Body Position

• Standing, neutral, feet pointing forward, hip width apart
• Back straight with a tightened core
• Head straight and eyes looking forward
• Eyes can be closed or open
• Shoulders relaxed
• Arms slightly bent
• Fingers spread, pointing forward, with a slight bend in the distal knuckles
• Palms facing each other hip distance apart

Practice

• Breathe in slowly drawing the breath deep into the lower tightened abdomen
• Inhale through nose for approximately 8 seconds
• Hands come to hip level, elbows in, shoulders back
• Hold breath for 8 seconds
• Knees bend and body sinks
• Press tightly in lower abdomen for 4 seconds
  • Tense all muscles and bear downward
  • Bite down on molars, clench teeth
  • Press tip of tongue behind back of teeth connecting upper and lower jaw
• Exhale out through nose for 8 seconds
• While exhaling, press strongly up from the lower abdomen, down the arms to both hands and down to both feet
• Hands slowly raise from hip level to where the fingertips are at eye level
• Hands should remain between head width and hip width apart
• Repeat for 8 cycles