Internal Chi Breathing

Internal Qi Breathing is an umbrella term given to
any of the 3 breathing techniques: natural, reverse,
counterforce breathing WHEN you do internal qi energetics
along with the actual physical breathing.

Typically, the one given importance with internal qi
energetics is COUNTERFORCE breathing, so the reference
given here is simply another way of saying COUNTERFORCE breathing.

To do counterforce breathing:
Actualize a golden qi ball in your lower dantian
Inhale, abdomen expands, but qi ball CONTRACTS
Exhale, abdomen contracts, but qi ball EXPANDS

The reference in Deep Healing Qigong has to do with the
“Fuse the Five Vapors” segment. So during that segment,
you do counterforce breathing as described above.
The movement of the hands is in the same direction as the qi ball.

A detailed discussion of all three breathing techniques
is covered on the QF3 AUDIO set (not the DVD) if you would
like to investigate these topics in more depth.

Qi,
Steven

I have a question about a discrepancy with this movement. In the video he keeps the palms facing each other, but the handout says to turn the palms outward (which is just like in the QF4 DVD). Does it really matter?

By the way, I just started learning DHQ and am loving it so far! I can already see how this can be a very deep form depending on how many movements and how much color, intention, etc you add to it.

I have a question about a discrepancy with this movement. In the video he keeps the palms facing each other, but the handout says to turn the palms outward (which is just like in the QF4 DVD). Does it really matter?

By the way, I just started learning DHQ and am loving it so far! I can already see how this can be a very deep form depending on how many movements and how much color, intention, etc you add to it.

I have come to my own strong opinions from years of doing the practice, but ultimately it is just a variation and whatever feels better to you personally is fine. That’s always the ultimate deciding factor. You have to listen to your own inner wisdom.

For me, I personally do not turn the hands around in either DHQ or in the counterforce qigong from QF4. I realize he does this in the QF4 video, but I don’t do this myself. For me, turning the hands around has more of a “separation” feel to it, which I feel is better served in the Belt Channel Qigong (Fusion 2 and also DHQ at a different point). However, when doing the Counterforce Qigong–in either DHQ (Fuse the Five Vapors) or QF4–a separation energy is not really the focus in my view. In particular, I feel that I can maintain more integrity with the qi ball during its expansion and contraction by keeping the hands facing palm to palm. By keeping the hands facing each other, it allows the qi ball to be more concentrated and substantial I feel, and allows the qi ball to direct the movement of the hands, rather than the other way around. Via this approach, I feel I can get in more “deeply”.

Glad to hear that you are learning DHQ. It only gets deeper and stronger over time. There are a lot of hidden subtleties in the form, happy little “accidents”, and other inner secrets that reveal themselves to you through enough time and devotion to practice. The form is quite ingenious.

Qi,
Steven

I have come to my own strong opinions from years of doing the practice, but ultimately it is just a variation and whatever feels better to you personally is fine. That’s always the ultimate deciding factor. You have to listen to your own inner wisdom.

For me, I personally do not turn the hands around in either DHQ or in the counterforce qigong from QF4. I realize he does this in the QF4 video, but I don’t do this myself. For me, turning the hands around has more of a “separation” feel to it, which I feel is better served in the Belt Channel Qigong (Fusion 2 and also DHQ at a different point). However, when doing the Counterforce Qigong–in either DHQ (Fuse the Five Vapors) or QF4–a separation energy is not really the focus in my view. In particular, I feel that I can maintain more integrity with the qi ball during its expansion and contraction by keeping the hands facing palm to palm. By keeping the hands facing each other, it allows the qi ball to be more concentrated and substantial I feel, and allows the qi ball to direct the movement of the hands, rather than the other way around. Via this approach, I feel I can get in more “deeply”.

Glad to hear that you are learning DHQ. It only gets deeper and stronger over time. There are a lot of hidden subtleties in the form, happy little “accidents”, and other inner secrets that reveal themselves to you through enough time and devotion to practice. The form is quite ingenious.

Qi,
Steven

Thanks Steven, that makes a lot of sense. I’m sure I’ll have many more questions as I get into it. I’ve learned it in pieces so far, and have yet to do the whole form together. Exciting times!

Thanks Steven, that makes a lot of sense. I’m sure I’ll have many more questions as I get into it. I’ve learned it in pieces so far, and have yet to do the whole form together. Exciting times!