November 2001	Li Zou Talking...About QiGong
The Key Elements of Qigong: Part I - Breathing Part II - Mind Regulation by Li Zou

Part I: Breathing in Qigong

The regulation of breathing is the regulation and exercise of respiration. It is a very important link in training qi, an essential method to cause genuine qi in the human body to accumulate, initiate and circulate. The regulation of breathing not only can achieve the effects of regulating the qi and blood and massaging the internal organs of the organism, but is also helpful to mental tranquilization and physical relaxation. Below listed are breathing regulation methods commonly used.

1) Natural Respiration Method. Without exertion of mindwill, breathe naturally.

2) Orthodromic Abdominal Respiration Method. This refers to the method of respiration in which the diaphragm descends with the abdomen bulging out in inhalation and the diaphragm rises with the abdomen drawn in exhalation.

3) Counter-Abdominal Respiration Method. Contrary to the above method, this refers to the method of respiration in which the abdomen is drawn in during inhalation and bulges out in exhalation.

4) Pausing-Closing Respiration Method. This refers to the respiration method which requires to pause and close qi for a little while after each inhalation/exhalation and then exhale/inhale.

5) Nose-inhaling & Mouth-exhaling Method. This refers to the respiration method to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.

6) Reading-word Respiration Method. This refers to the method of respiration exercise to read word sounds silently in coordination with exhalation.

7) Sole Breathing Method. In coordination with "mind concentration", conduct gi through deep breathing to the acupoint “Yongquan” in the center of the sole, while respiring.

Part II: The Regulation of Mind in Qigong (Mindwill)

The key link in the regulation of mind is, through exertion of mindwill, to concentrate the mind––get rid of all stray thoughts, replace myriads of thoughts with one thought, thus gradually inducing ones self into tranquilization and entering a state of void. This is the most essential exercise in gigong dirigation. The effect of the training practice is mainly determined by the degree of tranquilization. It is comparatively difficult for beginners to tranquilize. The tranquilizing methods commonly adopted are as follows:

1) Mind Concentration Method. The mind is highly concentrated on a certain part of the body, a certain acupoint or a certain object outside the body. The concentration should be relaxed and natural, without any forceful exertion.

2) Breath-following Method. The mind is highly concentrated on respiration. Concentrate only on the rise and fall of the abdominal respiration, without the conduct of mindwill. Form a unification of mindwill and qi and reach a tranquil state of mind.

3) Breath-counting Method. During the training practice, count silently the amount of breaths untill the ear fails to hear, the eyes fail to see and the mind fails to think. Thus, naturally reaching a tranquil state of mind.

4) Silent Reading Method. Read silently certain single words or phrases, for instance, the two words "song (relax)" and "jing (tranquilize)", one word for exhalation and one for inhalation, respectively. It’s purpose is to replace the myriads of thoughts with one thought, replace all stray thoughts with the chosen thought, gradually achieving a state free from stray thoughts and full of relaxation and joyousness, and comfortably reaching, tranquil state of mind.

5) Breath-listening Method. Listen with the ear to one's own breathing sound made by the passing current of respired air. Although, it would be better to hear nothing.

6) Mental Looking Method. During the training practice, conduct one's eyes inwardly at certain parts inside one's own body or certain objects outside one's body, so as to induce one’s self into a tranquil state.

LI ZOU is a Graduate of Chinese Medicine University in China • 18 yrs Clinical Experience
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