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What are the best type of wood for chi gung ball? I know certain trees are better then others so i guess the type of wood you play for ball is the same, any info there?
Not to step on toes there Bob, but that’s an easy one, so please excuse my answering for you.
Reverse breathing, or Taoist breathing is when you inhale and the stomach goes in as opposed to a natural breath where the stomach expands with the lungs. So yeah that was just backwards. I tend to enjoy them both but stick more to the natural breath for relaxation purposes, I supose I should train more with the reverse breath.
If I may expand on the question, what do you think the benefits of the reverse breath are?
Also thanks for answering the ealier question about the ball.
EDIT: Also do you know why it’s called Taoist? I never really thought about it, I suppose it shouldn’t be too hard to look up so I will, but might as well ask also
Reverse abdominal breathing the abdominal muscles (lower than the stomach muscles) contract while inhaling, the chest sinks inward and the “floor muscles” contract upward (sealing the bottom gate).. this forces the air/Qi mix into the DanTien while pumping out Qi (into the microcosmic circulation and subsequently into applications) due to the contractions from all directions.. considering that the inhaling usually occurs during a defensive retreat (backwards movement) the combination of movements is referred to as “Triple Yin”, likewise the expanding abdominals combined with forward movement and attacking intent is referred as “Triple Yang”.. it is noteworthy that the expanding abdominals are not “relaxed”, they expand in the same way as when you might push a car or lift weights, creating a resilient support structure for the organs.. to further complicate this breathwork, there is an intricate skeletal manipulation resulting in a “spinal wave”.. as the abs contract during inhaling, the MingMen pushes outward while the hips tuck gently under and upward (pelvic tilt).. then, as you exhale the spine rolls upward into the shoulders, the chest expands releasing the stored energy in the compressed DanTien and bowed back expressing it through the shoulders and into the application of the arms/hands.. as if there were not enough to consider, during inhaling there is a slight lowering of the center of gravity storing additional energy in the quads, which also release their energy as you rise into the exhale.. WHEW!!!
Buddhists, generally, pursue enlightenment and are fond of the relaxation inspired by Normal Abdominal Breathing (NAB).. Taoists, being a bit Martial, find the added Qi circulation and increased ability to direct the Qi application from Reverse Abdominal Breathing (RAB) to have an enhancing effect on their pursuits.. Personally, i find value in both.. my martial training is supported by RAB, and my meditations for spiritual development utilize NAB.. NAB is often associated spiritual development and enlightenment, while RAB is linked to longevity, health, and physical cultivation, including enhanced martial abilities.. Balance seems appropriate to me.. While many people discount spiritual development, it is a superior tool for developing intense focusing skills and remarkable clarity.. spiritual and physical development are just yin and yang aspects of our martial quests..
Considering the additional Qi pumped into the microcosmic circulation and necessary detail of alignment structure to facilitate its circulation.. it is advisable to seek experienced guidance in developing Reverse Abdominal Breathing.. we can unintentionally create blockages or over-abundances which will counter the intended purpose and potentially cause other problems.. Although initially we will exaggerate the spinal wave and the contraction/expansions of the abdomen, after developing the process it is quite subtle.. and, can be really quick in its expression and transition, hence the martial implication.
I hope this helps.. the rewards are worth the effort to develop this process..
Ronin22: First, we try to develop the mechanics of contracting abdominals during the inhaling process and expanding during exhaling.. this can be done as you wish.. i recommend standing to develop correct alignments and intentions.. initially, as we become familiar with Yi (mind) leading Qi, the process will be slow and detailed.. we go through the process of building a path through our alignment structure so the Qi can flow smoothly and quickly.. at high levels (i’m not suggesting i am there yet ) one’s Yi (intention) is focused on its target and the path trained manifests itself at the same instant, this is “internalization”..
Imagine that the legs and hips/waist are the “hand” that holds the “whip”.. the whip is the spine/arms.. like a sine wave, the Qi and alignment roll upward along the spine and outward through the arms/hands.. and, the breathing pattern is the motivation that moves this unique symphony of energies..
I like to add that the spine wave also makes use of the 3 pumps, Perineium, sacrum and cranial pumps which will help you achieve the microcosmic cycle with the correct breathing and mind.
Bob,
Does your Taiji ball make use of the spine wave also?
Tai Chi Ball Qigong is very focused on the spinal wave.. in fact, the ball training is to enhance awareness of this critical process.. as Count correctly points out, one of the effects of the spinal wave and of Tai Chi Ball training is to more efficiently utilize the diaphragm and lungs, to express the stored kinetic energies in the bowed spine and sunken chest.. Similarly, in receiving an opponent’s energies we sink our center of gravity while storing those energies in the legs, sink the chest/bow the back storing energies in the spine and sternum regions and inhale while drawing in the abdomen.. all our physical movements are drawing in the opponents energies, storing them and waiting for the opponent to reach their extremity.. at their extremity they must transition (either back or ahead).. at the transition we release their energies we have stored, adding to their intention of transition and adding a small amount of our own energies.. the result, if properly applied and timed, is a compounded return of energies over-balancing their intended application.. subtle and irresistable..
Sticking and adhering while calmly applying the mechanics of the spinal wave is a very deceptive action.. no sudden and alarming movements, no alerts that cause immediate alarmed responses.. a soft but powerful building of force.. that is not to say that the potential for FaJing is not immediate and available, but deep art is present in the subtle controlling of powerful forces.. some of you guys have seen your opponent’s puzzled look that says “why am i falling” We deal with remarkable potentials, deep and profound levels of self-control.. and, explorations into the very nature of “being”.. We have chosen a remarkable journey, this Taiji..
But, Taiji IS Yin and Yang.. as softly as we can express our control, it is balanced with our ability to so suddenly whip a FaJing application that the opponent’s awareness of impact becomes observable as we return to a neutral position.. that same puzzled look of “why does that hurt so much”..
It is, indeed, a pleasure to share insights with you guys.. exchanging experiences and lessons so that the Art, as a whole, can be preserved and advanced.. Thank you all for the kind thoughts and sincere interests..
in regards to the ideas of weighted vests and also wearin wrist weights etc i have a belt and like you att rubber tube with a hand grip and and att to ankles u might of seen this type of thing but i use one to practise almost all my trainin forms etc anbd i like it ever thought mayb usn one they are really good just personal opion. In regards to reverse breathing it seems to get the qi moving i feel btr then realxed breathin not sure pherhaps i focus more just thought id put in my two cents im aware i dont practise tai ji but i find alot of its methods principles fit well with the system i use.
From a purely physical peraspective, Taoist Breathing has several benefits..
As bipeds (walking upright on 2 feet), our internal organs (vicera below the diaphragm) are stagnated by gravity.. compared to our four legged friends whose organs are suspended from their horizontal spines by membranes.. animal’s organs swing to and fro during their normal activities and are constantly massaged.. human’s organs, in contrast, sit in a condensed pile and trap heat and moisture.. the Taoist breathwork is a great way to massage and stimulate healthy circulation in the lower vicera and dispell heat.. this is also quite useful in digestion and excretory processes.. similar massage benefits aid the vascular system as well..
Taoist breathwork also utilizes the rocking motion of the pelvis to aid in the compression and “gate sealing”.. additionally, this rocking motion adds a lively maintenance of the disks in the lumbar section of the spine while the complete “spinal wave” exercises each vertabrae and disk.. The rocking pelvis is the physical motion that powers the “sacral pump” and also uses the sacrum like a guardrail on roads to direct the Qi through a tight turn into its upward path.. The rocking motion of the pelvis and the contraction of the floor muscles is also known as the “perineal pump”, it seals the HuiYin (anal gate) and adds inertia to the Qi as it makes the critical turn at the bottom of the torso.. with the added inertia the sacrum acts like a deflector, bouncing the Qi upward into the spinal path.. Gravity, resistance and poor alignment begin to slow down the Qi’s upward momentum, so.. the cranial pump (just above the spinal prominence, the pronounced bump in the spine between the shoulders) acts like a sling-shot, pulling the Qi from above then pushing it up and forward through the cranial cavity..
In the Taoist breathing there are several conditions that have muscles putting strain on the bones.. bones have a piezo-electric quality, which means that under physical stress the bones generate a micro-electrical current (further enhancing our bio-electrical system.. this is most active when we utilize the quads to assist in the hip-rocking and as the psoas put strain on the pelvis.. the quads and legs, in general, are like two huge pumps..
These are benefits that are purely physical, dependent on the simple kinetic motions of Taoist breathwork..
