Xin Huxi Qigong Part 3 - Chang Bao Qi Center Breathing for Increasing Your Abundance of Qi

Xin Huxi Chang Bao Qi and Other Types of Breathing

There are three main goals in the practice of Qigong those of Balance, Abundance and Flow. It is through the regulation of the breath that you Balance your Qi, increase the Abundance of your Qi and create a smooth Flow of Qi through your entire system.

Xin Huxi, Center Breathing, is one of many types of breathing that is defined using Chang Bao Qi (long thin breath). Many Types of Breathing have been described throughout the ages. Here are a few examples that show the depth and breadth of breathing concepts:

Fu Xi - Skin Breathing (Ti Xi - Body Breathing, Dai Mai Xi - Girdle Belt Breathing)

Dan Tian Hu Xi - Elixir Field Breathing

Dao Jia Hu Xi - Daoist Breathing

Di Wu Xin Hu Xi - Fifth Gate Breathing (Shang Dan Tian Hu Xi - Upper Dan Tian Breathing)

Fan Fu Hu Xi - Reverse Abdominal Breathing (Fan Hu Xi - Reverse Breathing)

Fan Tong Hu Xi - Back to Childhood Breathing (Abdominal Breathing)

Fo Jia Hu Xi - Buddhist Breathing (normal abdominal breathing)

Fu Sui Xi - Skin and Marrow breathing

Gui Xi - Turtle Breathing

Shen Xi - Spirit Breathing

Tai Xi - Embryonic Breathing

Tiao Xi - to Regulate the Breathing

Wuji Hu Xi - Wuji Breathing (Cavity Breathing - Xue Wei Xi)

Yan Xi - Meditation Breathing

Zhen Xi - The Real or True Breathing

Zhong Xi - Sole Breathing

The Xin Huxi breathing technique is one in which thoracic respiration (breathing using the chest) is not used. The breath comes from the movement of the abdominal area (Dan Tian). In Xin Huxi Qigong you will focus on developing Chang Bao Qi and integrating it with Fo Jia Hu Xi (Buddhist Breathing - Normal Abdominal Breathing) and Fan Fu Hu Xi (Daoist Breathing - Reverse Abdominal Breathing).

Efficiency of breathing is not new. All martial arts emphasize some kind of breathing efficiency and centuries-old documentation show Zen priests and others writing of the need for better breathing for mental and physical health.

It is necessary that you begin Xin Huxi Chang Bao Qi to integrate the mind and the body. To accomplish this you first need to concentrate on the lower abdominal area; the Xia Dan Tian (Lower Dan Tian).

Xin Huxi Chang Bao Qi Increase Qi

Once you feel comfortable doing Xin Huxi using Normal Abdominal Breathing you will want to begin to practice so that you can increase the abundance of Qi in your system. To do this you must learn to use reverse abdominal breathing resulting in Fan Fu Hu Xi Chang Bao Qi. This can be learned by following the process below.

Begin by standing comfortably with your feet shoulder width apart or sitting in a straight-backed chair. Relax and breathe smoothly and evenly.

The Reverse Inhalation Process - Close your mouth gently so it is just sealed and touch your tongue to the upper gum just behind the teeth. Contract your abdominal muscles (pull in) as you inhale through your nose. The inhale should be slow, long and thin.

The Reverse Exhalation Process - Open your mouth slightly and touch your tongue to the lower gum just behind the teeth. Expand your abdominal muscles (push out) as you exhale through your mouth. The exhale should be slow, long and thin.

Repeat this two-step process for 9, 18, or 27 breaths. Begin slowly and focus on the breathing process.

Yongquan Huxi Chang Bao Qi - "Breathing Through The Feet"

Another awesome exercise to do using Chang Bao Qi is "gate" breathing. A gate is a place, typically an acupuncture cavity that allow the exchange of Qi between yourself and your environment. Two sets of gates that are used in this practice are the Laogong (Pericardium-8) cavities in the palms of your hands and the Yongquan cavities (Kidney-1) on the bottoms of your feet. Here I will describe "two gates breathing" using the Yongquan cavities.

To begin to integrate the senses using the mind, so that the Qi will flow and balance through out your body you can add mental imagery or visualization to your practice. One excellent visualization that deals both with image and feeling is that of "breathing through the feet." The points that you need to focus on are the Yongquan Cavities (Gushing Springs - Kidney-1) located on the bottoms of the feet, just behind and off-center towards the ball of each foot.

You should visualize the soles of feet because all nerves in the body end or are connected to the soles of the feet. Acupuncturists rely heavily on the soles of the feet and the nerve endings located there. Also, the soles of the feet are the furthest points from the heart on the body. You should realize that the energy that flows to the soles of the feet is the maximum blood and energy circulation that is possible. Also, the weight of the entire body rests on the feet for a large portion of every day. They tend to be one of the most neglected and strained parts of the body. To heighten awareness of this area is beneficial to the entire nervous system.

During the inhalation phase imagine and feel that your breath is pulling in air and that the air is flowing up through the bottom of your feet, through the yongquan cavity, all the way up to the top of your head. As you exhale just imagine and feel the reverse, that the air is flowing down from your head and then out through your feet, through the yongquan cavity, into the ground. Repeat this for 9, 18 or 27 times for training and increased Qi Flow

This image and feeling will help assist you in learning how to lead Qi through your body and how to sense the feeling of Qi as it flows.

Tips for a Healthy Practice

Whenever you practice and you tired or uncomfortable take a break. You should only pause your inhale or exhale momentarily and there should be no quick in and out to avoid hyperventilation. Never hold your breath excessively, never practice when extremely fatigued, dehydrated or when in presence of fever, loss of balance or other conditions that could cause falling or fainting. Rest, correct nutrition and lots of fluids will help your breathing practice to be effective. Practice each exercise without focusing on the breathing until you have the process memorized and then begin to focus your mind on the breath itself.

Sometimes people in excellent, athletic, shape may try an exercise program like Xin Huxi Qigong and proceed much too fast because they believe that they can do things at a rapid pace due to their excellent physical condition. Keep in mind that anytime you do something new you should approach it with caution and patience so that you minimize any risk to yourself or your health.

Any change in your breathing practice has the potential to cause dizziness, "lightheadedness" and/or a change in heart rate. This is the nature of breathing. I want you to benefit and become healthier from Xin Huxi Qigong, SO TAKE IT SLOWLY! Remember "It's the Tortoise that Wins the Race."

NEVER FORCE THE INHALE OR EXHALE - always be calm and relaxed.

Using "Mind Power" and "Qigong" you can easily begin to learn to create your AWESOME reality. It is possible simply by your choice to create an awesome day, create your awesome health and create your awesome world. Please share this with all your friends and families and together using Mind Power Plus Qigong WE CAN CREATE AN AWESOME WORLD.