Breathing Methods for Health and Harmony

PUMPING BREATH – Energizes the entire system, quickly. Stimulates the Triple Heater system and chakras. *Some use this exercise as a warm-up prior to TCC practice.

Technique:

Ground, placing your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel. Interlace your fingers, palms facing down in from of your lower abdomen.

Simultaneously lift your heels and arms (elbows nearly locked), while inhaling smoothly and fully. The motion and inhalation should take 3 seconds to complete. Your arms rise gradually, out and away from you, until arriving above your head with palms pushing upward in a gentle stretch which elongates your spine. Pause with breath held for 1-3 seconds.

Exhale gradually (3 seconds) as your arms come down following the same pattern, while lowering your heels.

Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathe smoothly, gently and fully.

Perform 3-9 repetitions in a flowing, continuous motion at a moderate pace. Rest. (Rest after each set of 3 repetitions if you like, or do up to 9 in a row.)

Relax, standing evenly with knees slightly flexed, open your abdomen and place your hands, one on top of the other, over the lower tan t’ien, palms facing toward abdomen. Breathe rhythmically and fully, relaxing and internalizing attention progressively, during each exhalation. As you stand, being still, quiet and at rest, allow chi to enrich your whole system.