How to Regulate the Breath in Qigong Practice

As the Taoist Zhuang Zi (or Chuang Tzu) said, "Breathing control gives one strength, vitality, inspiration, and magic powers." Regulating the breath is one of the three key elements in practicing qigong. These three key elements are "regulation of the body," "regulation of the breath," and "regulation of the mind." "Regulation of the breath" means to pay attention to breathing exercise and guiding qi.

Correct methods of breathing are critical for the genuine qi to store, activate, and circulate in the human body. Regulating the breath can help harmonize qi and the blood, as well as the relationships among different organs. Such practice can also promote mental tranquilization and physical relaxation.

Breathing exercise can help improve the emotion and relieve physical pain. It can promote the healing process and help prevent diseases. Usually breath regulation is to train the breathing process to achieve the slender, silent, and deep state. Some commonly used qigong breathing methods are introduced below.

The method of natural breathing is the most common method in daily life and is also used in qigong practice. This method is just to breathe naturally without any efforts.

The method of abdominal breathing is the most commonly used method in qigong practice. For abdominal breathing, when inhale, have the diaphragm descending while the abdomen expanding outward. While exhale, have the diaphragm ascending with the abdomen contracting inward.

Another method, the method of reverse-abdominal breathing is doing the opposite from the abdominal breathing method. That is, draw in the abdomen and have the diaphragm ascending when inhale. When exhale, have the diaphragm descending with the abdomen expanding outward.

The method of pausal-breathing is a deep and slow abdominal breathing method that has a brief pause after each inhalation or exhalation, then exhale or inhale again. This method is to make the breathing process smooth and complete, and to boost the energy levels. This method can help increase the utilization of oxygen by the body and promote relaxation.