Natural Breathing

Correct breathing technique, is one of the most important aspects of living a healthy life. It ensures that your energy is renewed in each movement. Incorrect breathing can lead to any number of health problems. Therefore, both your practice, health and well-being rely on correct breathing.

Inhaling and exhaling correctly are essential to train safely and build endurance. Inhaling through the nose warms, humidifies and filters the air before it gets to the lungs. Exhaling through the mouth expels the air quickly enough to match your specific technique be it in Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Tai Chi Chuan or Medical Qi Gong Practices.

In the first instance proper breathing technique requires abdominal (Dantien) breathing as opposed to regular ‘high chest’ clavicle breathing. Chest breathing raises the rib cage and creates unwanted tension in the shoulders and upper body. On the other hand, abdominal breathing relies almost exclusively on the diaphragm, lowering the body’s centre of gravity and keeping the shoulders relaxed.

The easiest way to learn abdominal breathing is through meditation where you can focus solely on your breathing. Initially, keep the belly relaxed and feel your abdomen expand outwards when you inhale. However, as you begin to understand more, try to keep your abdomen firm and feel your breath drawing deeper into your pelvis. This allows your Dantien to remain firm when you move during training.

While it seems difficult to learn this type of breathing, it just takes practice and concentration. As with everything in life, the more difficult something is to achieve, the greater are the rewards.

Breathing during static or dynamic meditation are both performed in the same way, in through the nose and out through the mouth. The abdomen expands with inhalation, and contraction of the lower abdominal muscles causes slow, controlled exhalation. Exhalation during static meditation should be quiet, during dynamic meditation for example it can be either silent or forceful either is correct if breathing comes from the Dantien. Both are incorrect if it comes from the chest.

However, using your breath in something like faji is slightly different. This type of exhalation should result in the abdomen "popping" slightly outward, similar to blowing a dart with a sharp, intense breath. This "popping" tightens your Dantien and aids the maximisation of the technique.

Correct breathing is one of the Basic Principles, and it should match the intensity and purpose of your movements.

Enjoy your practice and breathe correctly for maximum benefits.