| Ch'i
storing or compression refers
to techniques for "packing" ch'i energy into the lower dantien. This technique requires considerable practice to master and
considerably more practice to accumulate appreciable ch'i and it is
described here only briefly. As in circulating the microcosmic orbit
mentioned previously one inhales to the top of the head; however,
instead of exhaling one holds the breath while lowering the energy as
if one had exhaled. One then raises the breath as if one were
inhaling; nevertheless, the breath continues to be held. At this point
the energy is lowered from the top of the head down to the dantien
again as
one exhales. Moving the energy up the back as one inhales completes
the cycle. This exercise must be preformed with a relaxed
musculature and attention should be given to relaxation of the face,
shoulders, and chest when lowering the energy and allowing it to settle
in the dantien.
It
may be useful to contemplate the cycle of a four stroke engine;
but then again, it may not be. |
