Qigong Breathing Techniques & Breathing Form

In Qigong, various different breathing methods exist, that assist in cultivating the body's energy. Let's clarify the distinction between breathing techniques and breathing form. We shall focus our attention mainly on form: precise movements and alignment during breathing and qigong practice. Though I'll mention a couple of techniques found in Qigong. Some can be classified as hard Qigong and others as soft Qigong.

Hard Qigong involves "forceful" breathing techniques that strengthens Qi. In one example, "Tiger Whipping Breath" method, a practitioner takes quick, forceful breaths to build up energy. Often martial artists practise this to increase power and endurance.

Soft Qigong, focuses on gentle and relaxation, with breathing techniques that promote internal balance. One example, "Embracing the Moon" method, a practitioner breathes deeply and slowly to calm both mind and body. This benefits health and healing purposes.

Regulating your breathing not only promotes a sense of calm and tranquillity but also contributes to a harmonious and clear state of mind. As you deepen your breath and reach a state of relaxation, you might begin to experience tingling sensations and perceive improvements in coordination and vitality. This sense of coherence in our energy field connects us with our environment.

Qi, basically means energy of life, and manifests in various forms within our individual perceptions. A diversity of Qi underscores myriad expressions of energy that exist around us. Engaging in qigong practices can support to center and balance this energy. Through qigong, we can cultivate a deep sense of inner harmony and alignment with universal energy and flow of Qi within ourselves and our surroundings.

Breathing can affect our emotions- essentially energy in motion, frequency. For example, in a state of anger, exhalation intensifies. During a phase of sadness, a desire to inhale increases to gain "life energy". When peaceful and calm, inhalation and exhalation eb and flow, relatively equal. In order to maintain a calm, steady, peaceful breath, we may focus on calm, neutral emotions and thoughts. Meditation benefits our mind (yi) by harmonizing energy.

And vice verca, breathing also affects the mind (yi). When your breathing is uniform, it is as if you were hypnotizing your yi, which helps to calm it. From this, you can see that yi and breathing are interdependent and that they cooperate with each other.

Deep and calm breathing relaxes you and keeps your mind clear. It fills your lungs with plenty of air, so that your brain and entire body have an adequate supply of oxygen. In addition, deep and complete breathing enables the diaphragm to move up and down, which massages and stimulates the internal organs. For this reason, deep breathing exercises are also called "internal organ exercises."

Internal Organ Exercises:

Deep and complete breathing does not mean to inhale and exhale maximum. This can cause receptors in our lungs and surrounding muscles to tense up, and in turn prevent air from circulating freely.

A balance of oxygen and CO2 plays a pivotal role in proper respiration. So, it's recommended to inhale and exhale to about 70 percent or 80 percent of capacity, so that your lungs stay relaxed.

Would you like to conduct an easy experiment? First, inhale deeply so that your lungs are completely full, and time how long you can hold your breath. Then try inhaling to only about 70 percent of your capacity, and see how long you can hold your breath. You may discover that with the latter method you can last much longer than with the first one.

This is simply because the lungs and the surrounding muscles stay relaxed... When they are relaxed, the rest of your body and your mind can also relax, which significantly decreases your need for oxygen. Therefore, when you regulate your breathing, the "first" priority is to keep your lungs relaxed and calm.

When training, try to stay calm, that your breathing can be regulated. When breathing is regulated, your mind is able to reach a higher level of calmness. This calmness can again help you to regulate the breathing, until your mind is deep. After you train for some time, your breathing may feel full and slender, and your mind clears.

An Ancient Daoist named Li, Qing-an said: "Regulating breathing means to regulate the real breathing until (you) stop." This means although you start by consciously regulating your breath, you may get to the point where the regulating happens naturally, and you no longer think about it.

When you reach the level of true regulating, no regulating is necessary, and you can use your mind efficiently to lead the qi. Remember, wherever the yi is, there is the qi. If the yi stops in one spot, the Qi may feel stagnant. Therefore, when you are in a state of correct breath regulation, your mind is free. There is no sound, stagnation, urgency, or hesitation, and you can be calm and peaceful.

Breathing and qi relate to each other as yin and yang. This idea is explained frequently in Daoist literature. The Daoist Guang Cheng Zi said: "One exhale, the earth qi rises; one inhale, the heaven qi descends." The earth qi is the negative (yin) energy from your kidneys, and the heaven qi is the positive (yang) energy, from food you eat and the air you breathe.

Lets look at an image of one of our 3 main energy centres- the lower Dantien (meaning elixir field). From this we see where to focus on inhalation and exhalation. This gives us an idea in Qi terms, rather than saying "expand the ribs, relax the diaphram etc."

Put together it may feel something like this, and continuously flow of breath through Dantien.

In putting things in Qi terms, I think it helps to breath naturally and internally, rather than focusing on a specific technique.

Breathing in this way, energy flows from within, circulating around the body. Qi can be directed using intention (yi) such as the microcosmic orbit practise:

This demonstrates how energy flows during Qigong practice, such as in the movement known as "pushing mountains." By connecting breathing with movement and energy, Qigong transcends simple hand gestures. Breathing involves feeling, flowing, enjoying and appreciating sensations of joy and presence, aware of our experience by actively listening and relaxing within a singular moment.

Daoist book Sing (of the) Dao (with) Real Words (Chang Dao Zhen Yan) says: "One exhale one inhale to communicate qi's function." This statement implies again that functioning of qi connect with breathing. Yellow Yard Classic (Huang Ting Jing) says: "Breathe original qi to seek immortality." In China, the traditional Daoists wore yellow robes, and they meditated in a "yard" or hall.

Daoist Song of Spirit's Origin (Ling Yuan Da Dao Ge) says: "Original Qi (jing, qi, and shen) when internally transported peacefully, you can attain immortality".

From this song, you can see that internal breathing, builds your three treasures and contributes to immortality, in that sense of merging with a cosmic breath.

Primarily, it may serve you well to know how to regulate your external breathing proficiently:

Eight Key Words: 1. calm (jing); 2. slender (xi); 3. deep (shen); 4. long (chang); 5. continuous (you); 6. uniform (yun); 7. slow (huan); and 8. soft (mian).

Expanding (implementing other knowledge) and adapting (adding E-prime & general semantics) information from Source: https://ymaa.com/articles/2014/11/regulating-the-breath

Types of breathing:

Natural Breathing consists of three forms: chest type, abdominal type and thoracoabdominal mixed type. Those new to Qigong, generally enjoy natural breathing. Tuning into your own rhythm, relaxing your body into a near-silence, and then adjust your breathing to be soft, even and natural.

1. Different breathing methods involve inhaling and exhaling through nose and mouth. Inhaling through one's nose and exhaling through one's nose appeals to enduring static postures, where attention gets drawn within, while inhaling through one's nose and exhaling through one's mouth may offer some benefits in Qigong and walking to release excess heat energy.
   

2. Exhaling and inhaling vigorously, similar to above. Focus on extending each exhale and inhale long as possible, with breathing sound “sounding in and out”. This method has a certain therapeutic effect on strengthening physical fitness, mobilizing Qi through grounding, and treating certain chronic ailments. When learning and practicing this method, it helps to grow your breathing sound from small to loud, and give attention to exercising in a wilderness area with fresh air.
   

3. Regular breathing focuses on cultivating a steady, even rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. Practitioners strive to maintain a consistent pace, neither rushing nor pausing between breaths. This method encourages a balanced flow of Qi throughout our body, fostering a sense of inner equilibrium and stability. Particularly beneficial for calming body and mind, relieving stress, and enhancing mental clarity.
   

4. Breathing practises encourage a delicate balance between yin and yang energies during exhalation and inhalation, potentially leading to a sense of equilibrium in conditions such as high blood pressure and yang deficiency. Engaging in breathing exercises may offer benefits for individuals managing high blood pressure, emphysema, glaucoma, headaches, and abdominal bloating linked to upper and lower deficiencies. For those dealing with issues related to poor gastrointestinal function and sensitivities to cold due to yang deficiencies, participating in breathing training could provide valuable support and potential relief.
   

5. Abdominal Breathing "Abdominal" breathing, rather diaphragmatic breathing, improves gathering, storage and mobilization of internal energy. Abdominal breathing has 2 components: natural abdominal breathing and deep and long abdominal breathing, with latter transitioning from former. Deep and long abdominal breathing incorporates two types. A) When inhaling, abdominal muscles relax, and as diaphragm descends, front abdominal wall gradually extends outwards; when exhaling, abdominal muscles contract, abdominal wall retracts and slightly recesses, and diaphragm also rises to its original level. Abdominal breathing (physiologically called isovolumic breathing).

B) Reverse abdominal breathing (also known as volume-changing breathing) does opposite. During inhalation, the abdominal muscles contract, causing abdominal wall to retract into a concave shape. Additionally, diaphragm contracts and descends towards abdominal cavity, reducing its volume. During exhalation, abdominal muscles relax, making space for abdomen to expand, while diaphragm rises, increasing volume of abdominal cavity. As a result, reverse abdominal breathing significantly affects pressure on abdominal organs, making it beneficial for promoting circulation of qi and blood, enhancing yang qi, and improving gastrointestinal function. It suits individuals with visceral ptosis and gastrointestinal dysfunction

When practicing breathing exercises, it matter to take caution and mindfully assess individual health conditions and needs. Additionally, reverse abdominal breathing offers a somatic challenge that surpasses that of normal "abdominal" breathing. I prefer to say diaphagmatic to give people an idea of what this style of breathing truly means. Some would intuitively breath with only their belly, without expanding the chest. This leads to inertia.

 

Practice of Qigong offers a rich array of breathing methods that cater to different needs and purposes, including physical health, martial arts training, and spiritual development. From those dynamic and powerful techniques of Hard Qigong to gentle and meditative approaches of Soft Qigong, each breathing method plays a crucial role in harnessing and cultivating vital energy within our body. 

Similar changes made to compliment and embelish narrative for clarity and ease of reading: Source: 6 Breathing Methods of Chi Kung (Hard Qigong & Soft Qigong) - Xinglin (kungfuxinglin.com)