🌿 My Ki Gong Journey: Finding Balance Through Breath and Movement

When I first started practicing Ki Gong, it wasn’t because I set out in search of inner peace or energy balance — it was simply on the morning schedule for black belt clinics. Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin introduced it to us as part of our training, and like any good student, I followed along. I didn’t really know what Ki Gong was, but I had faith that someone far more knowledgeable than me was leading us through something meant to strengthen our martial arts practice. And to be honest — it also beat the alternative of jogging (my students know I’m not a fan of running, haha).

Grandmaster Shin told us that he felt he had done his students a disservice by not teaching the healing, meditative, and balancing practices that would allow us to train throughout our entire lives. That stuck with me. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but those words planted a seed that would grow years later.

 Discovering the Deeper Benefits of Ki Gong

For a long time, Ki Gong remained something I only practiced at those clinics. It wasn’t until several years later that I began dedicating more time to it — and once I did, everything changed.

At first, it was small things. I noticed how just taking time to breathe with intention could shift my entire mood. The slow, coordinated movements made me feel lighter, calmer, and more centered. The more I practiced, the more I realized how much I had been missing.

Around 2020, when life stress seemed to be at an all-time high, Ki Gong became more than a supplement to my martial arts — it became a necessity. I’d always used hard training to burn off stress, but when the endorphins faded, the tension would creep back in. Ki Gong offered something different: recovery, stillness, and clarity that lasted long after practice ended.

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Meditation prior to martial arts class

What Is Ki Gong?

Ki Gong (also spelled Qigong) is an ancient practice that combines gentle movement, controlled breathing, and mindfulness to cultivate life energy — “Ki” or “Qi.” The word “Gong” means work or cultivation, so Ki Gong literally means “energy work” or “breath work.”

It’s simple enough that anyone can do it, but deep enough that you can study it for a lifetime. The flowing motions improve flexibility, balance, and energy flow, while the mindful breathing helps reduce stress and restore emotional balance.

You don’t need to be an athlete — you can even do many of the movements seated. The real key is consistency and awareness. Over time, you begin to notice that the same principles you use in Ki Gong — patience, presence, and soft focus — start showing up in everything else you do.

Symbol of calm and balance achieved through Ki Gong

The Balance Between Strength and Stillness

As a lifelong martial artist, I’ve always believed in pushing limits — physically, mentally, and spiritually. But the longer I trained, the more I understood that true strength comes not just from power and endurance, but from balance.

Ki Gong taught me to connect breath with movement, to recognize tension before it takes hold, and to find stillness even in action. I also came to realize that many of the warm-ups we’ve done for years in Tang Soo Do have roots in Ki Gong. In a way, we were all practicing it — just without calling it that.

It’s this connection between tradition and self-care that makes Ki Gong such an important part of the Jae Nam Training Academy philosophy. It’s not just another class. It’s a way to extend the longevity of your training — and your well-being.

Outdoor setting prepared for a Qigong wellness session

Bringing Ki Gong to Jae Nam Training Academy

When I look around today, I see how much people need balance in their lives. Stress is high, screens are everywhere, and we often forget to breathe — literally. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring Ki Gong to more people in our community.

You don’t have to be a martial artist to benefit from it. Ki Gong is for everyone — young or old, active or just starting out. It complements whatever else you do by helping you reconnect with your body and calm your mind.

We have a saying: “The best Ki Gong is the one you do.” There’s no perfect version, no ideal pace — only the one that works for you. What matters is simply showing up and taking that time to breathe, move, and restore yourself.

Join Me for The Art of Energy Balance – Water Phase Seminar

If you’re curious to experience Ki Gong for yourself, I invite you to join me for an evening dedicated to restoring calm and energy balance. 🗓 Friday, November 21 at 6:00 PM 📍 Jae Nam Training Academy Register here → The Art of Energy Balance – Water Phase Seminar

Together, we’ll explore techniques that enhance flexibility, focus, and vitality — practical tools you can use to bring more balance into your daily life.

 Ready to Begin Your Own Journey?

If you’d like to start small or see what Ki Gong feels like, you can try one of our beginner-friendly classes. Our Ki Gong trial program is designed to help you experience the benefits for yourself in a supportive, welcoming environment.

👉 Explore our Ki Gong Trial Program

Remember, wellness isn’t about perfection — it’s about awareness, presence, and practice. Whether you come to a class, join the seminar, or just take five quiet minutes a day to breathe, you’re taking a powerful step toward balance and longevity.

Train strong. Root before you rise. See you on the mats.