The American Institute of Martial Arts

The quest for the secrets of internal energy have been going on as long as martial techniques have existed. It is called by many different names. The most common are, KI, Chi,Qi, and Pranja are some of the names. New students to the martial arts look to developing this internal energy by breaking boards, bricks and other material. Over a very long time this practice will help to develop the physical power not the internalized energy.

However, developing and concentrating this energy does not come to the student just through the practice of advanced breaking technique.

Internal energy is developed through the repetitious practice of the basic techniques of their respective arts under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor over a long period of time. And, there are few instructors that can convey this knowledge to a student, let alone understand the concept themselves. Today's martial arts instructors concentrate more on business practices than the esoterics of the art.

The practice of the basic technique is something, most new martial art students try to get through as quickly as possible. To them, the practice of advanced technique will lead them to becoming faster and stronger in developing this power. Wrong assumption. It is the constant repetition of basic technique, coupled with powerful breathing technique that will develop internal energy over a long period of time. And you will know when you have attained this energy because you will recognize the feeling.

It won't be developed in one year I assure you, but will take many years to develop. It took ten-years before this writer realized that he had acquired it.

What is seen here is is a documented demonstration of
internal energy through the use of a thermographic video camera. In the heat sensing video, you will see this energy in the form of heat as it begins to increase in both the wrist and palm of my hand. My palm is extended 18-inches from the camera during this 30-second exposure. This was done so that no one would be able to say that the heat recorded was reflected from the video camera's own heat source.
Over this short period, almost 4-degrees of heat (3.9) was recorded. The thermographic camera was set for a body temperature of 98.6. It then registered any degree of heat above that. What you see took years to develop and came naturally through practice.

Enjoy your practice and hopefully we will see you soon in the school. Best Wishes!

                                Sensei Bob Liedke

American Institute of Martial Arts
American Institute of Martial Arts 152 Westerleigh Rd.
New Haven, CT 06515

Phone: 203.387.9582
Connecticut
© 2002, The American Institute of Martial Arts

Connecticut