Chi Kung – Page 4

Many years ago I attended a Chi Kung workshop and the teacher did a move which was similar to the opening posture of my Wu Style Tai Chi form.

He said, ‘It took me twenty years to understand this move.’

I thought, ‘You have got to be joking! What’s so hard about lifting your arms up and down?’

What I didn’t realise at the time was that my mind was wading in shallow depths.

I did not understand that a simple move in Tai Chi often requires a depth of understanding which can be only achieved through years of thought, discussion and practice.

This understanding is like going on a journey of;

simplicity
complication
new found simplicity

So if your mind is wading in shallow depths when learning ‘simple’ movements allow yourself to go on this journey without any preconceived ideas.

Then you will be able to discover the depth and essence of a particular movement.

Heel breathing is a good energiser.

It can be done either sitting down or standing up.

I normally practice it sitting down as part of a series of chi kung exercises I do.

Sometimes I do it standing, whenever I need an energy boost.

Here’s how to do heel breathing.

Imagine you are drawing breath from your bubbling wells, acupuncture points located in the soles of your feet.
Keep inhaling and draw the breath/chi up through your body until it reaches to the top of your head.
Then exhale and guide the breath/chi down through the body to the bottom of your feet.

Footnote: Expanded from Tai Chi Tip #35 – I discovered this technique several years ago while reading ‘Complete Tai Chi’ by Master Alfred Huang.

Shallow Depths

Heel Breathing