Qigong Inhalation and Exhalation

There is a tendency on exhalation, because the ribs and the lungs are moving down, to let go of the suspended spine. Balance the emptying of the lungs and the dropping of the ribs with lengthening of the spine and suspension of the head. Work with 80 percent effort or, with the lungs, you can work to 90 percent capacity because you want to bring as much air as you can into the lungs. Do not inhale all the way in and do not exhale all the way out. You are reserving 10 percent on each side: inhalation and exhalation. I call it the ‘floating 10 percent.’ It just floats from side to side between inhalation and exhalation.

Close your eyes and breathe in 90 percent. Sense the 10 percent that is left on the top. Back off and do not try to use this last 10 percent. Linger or just exhale but leave 10 percent at the end of the exhalation. Sense the 10 percent but do not touch it. If you do it slowly, it floats from side to side rather than jumps. Click to learn how Chinese medicine treats Superficial Dermatomycosis.

When utilizing this skill, you allow your whole body to stay relaxed. You do not put compression against your nervous system at the end of inhalation, and you are not running out of breath at the end of exhalation. This skill of using the ‘floating 10 percent’ will allow you to maximize the air and oxygen going into the blood stream while preventing the negative elements of breathing in and out using 100 percent effort. You can keep the breath, the mind, the energy, and spirit strong and in a smooth balanced circle of flow.