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LESSON 23

Study

Small Circulation

One of the major purposes of Nei Dan training is to fill up the Qi reservoirs, the Eight Vessels. When the Qi there is abundant, you will be able to supply enough Qi to the rest of your body. Small circulation has two major purposes. The first purpose is to build up Qi at the lower Dan Tian, and the second purpose is to store and circulate Qi in the two major reservoirs: the Conception and Governing vessels.

The reason for learning abdominal breathing is to build up Qi in the Lower Dan Tian. This cannot be emphasized enough. Then you must lead this Qi to circulate in the vessels and open up the cavities which are plugged up or where Qi flow is sluggish. As a child grows up he abandons abdominal breathing and many cavities become plugged or sluggish. There are a number of ways in which Qi can be circulated in the body through the Small Circulation. One of the most popular is The Fire Path.

The Fire Path (Huo Lu)

The Fire Path is the way that Qi naturally circulates through the body. The Qi moves down the Conception Vessel and up the Governing Vessel. The Conception Vessel runs down the center of the front of the front of the body. The Governing Vessel runs from the Huiyin (the spot between the genitals and the a**s), where it joins the Conception Vessel, up along the outside of the spine to the back of the neck, passes over the head to the top of the inside of the mouth where it connects with the Conception Vessel on the tongue.

If it seems that we are going over things that have already been discussed - we are. By discussing things in different ways it is more likely that you will “get it.”

Practice

Movement 11 in Northern Star Qigong

SWAYING THE HEAD AND WAGGNG THE TAIL

1. Bend at the waist as you exhale. Keep your legs straight and hold your ankles.

2. Inhale. Slowly twist to each side, exhaling as you twist, and inhaling each time you return to center. One twist to each side is one round. Do six rounds.

3. Inhale and stand up slowly.

4. Perform “Harmonizing the Qi.”