Continuing with the article on “Lotus Hand Technique Breathing Exercise”, I will introduce another breathing exercise to you.
This is a simple breathing exercise based on a Qigong practice method that we use in our martial arts training. This breathing exercise is usually done after the training session. We usually spend about 15-20 minutes practicing it. It helps to calm the mind and restore balance after strenuous exercise. Regular practice of this breathing exercise will also help to improve and promote overall health.
If you are interested, you can do this breathing exercise every morning or evening before going to bed.
Preparation Steps
- Find a quiet place with fresh air if possible.
- Relax your body naturally and choose loose clothing that does not constrict your body.
Steps for the Exercise
- A prerequisite for this exercise is that you must be able to sit in the lotus position.
- Make the seal with both hands (this seal is called the An Uỷ Seal), then place both hands on your knees.
- Close your eyes slightly and look at the tip of your nose.
- Gently touch your tongue to the ridge behind your upper teeth (the palate).
- Keep your back straight, chest slightly arched, and head straight.
- Before starting the breathing exercise, breathe in and out gently 5 times in succession to balance your breathing.
- Then, begin to breathe in gently through your nose, breathing in as deeply and as long as possible. Imagine a small, pure stream of air coming in through your nose, down your chest, and reaching your lower abdomen (we call this the Dantian). When you think about it, your lower abdomen expands and your anus contracts.
- When you can no longer breathe in, and your lower abdomen is fully expanded, begin to exhale gently. Imagine a small, slightly gray stream of air rising up the spine to the top of your head and exiting through your nose. Your lower abdomen also begins to contract gently until it is fully contracted. Keep your anus clenched.
- This is the end of one cycle of inhalation and exhalation.
- Continue in this way until the end of your practice session.
- At the end of the practice session, gently relax your hands, breathe in gently, raise your hands to face level, then exhale gently, lower your hands to your abdomen, and finish.
This is a basic Qigong exercise for martial arts. With the lotus sitting position and the hand seal, the meridians and acupoints in our legs and arms are stimulated. Therefore, regular daily practice will help us to regulate the qi and blood in our bodies, improve our health in the long run.
I hope that sharing this will help everyone have moments of relaxation and peace in their daily lives.
Extra Thick Yoga Mat
