Simple Qigong for Health: The Eight Pieces of Brocade (YMAA Qigong Book 1)

Before you start training, you must first understand that all of the training originates in your mind. You must have a clear idea of what you are doing, and your mind must be calm, centered, and balanced.

When you practice qigong, you must first train to make your qi flow naturally and smoothly.

The general rule in breathing is that when you extend your limbs you exhale and lead the qi to the extremities, and when you withdraw your limbs you inhale and lead the qi to your spine.

As a qigong practitioner, you must know how to convert your original jing into original qi in a smooth, steady stream. Since your original qi

The final stage is the relaxation that reaches the internal organs and the bone marrow. Remember, only if you can relax deep into your body will your mind be able to lead the qi there. Only at this stage will the qi be able to reach everywhere. Then you will feel transparent—as if your whole body has disappeared.

When you are finished with the swallowing and the body is warm and full of qi, imagine that the skin and the area around your body is full of fire. This image will bring qi to the skin and build up the shield of guardian qi (wei qi, 衛氣) around the body.

Relaxation is one of the major keys to success in qigong. You should remember that only when you are relaxed will all your muscles be relaxed and your qi channels open. In order to be relaxed, your yi must first be relaxed and calm. When this yi coordinates with your breathing, your body will be able to relax.

This exercise will extinguish any fire in your middle dan tian so that you can concentrate and calm your mind.

When you feel uneasy or have heartburn (excess fire in the heart), you may use deep breathing to calm down the uneasy emotions or cool off the heartburn.