Tai Chi Chuan Method Of Breathing And Chi Direction

Written by Chen Yen Ling

Translated by Tchong Ta-Tchen

From the book "The Annotated Theoretical And Practical

Tai Chi Chuan" by Tchong Ta-Tchen
Some people call Tai Chi Chuan an "inside family fist". There are three reasons for
doing so. First of all, Confucianism discriminates against foreign influences.
Secondly, the Tai Chi Chuan technique concentrates upon grabbing the joints of the
opponents body so that whatever bodily harm that is inflicted is internal and
invisible to the opponent. Third of al, Tai Chi Chuan concentrates upon directing
the chi to circulate inside the body (to cultivate vigor, chi and spirit).
The basic breathing of Tai Chi Chuan uses the nose only, not the mouth. This
differs from the common people who use the nose to inhale and exhale through the
mouth. After mastering Tai Chi Chuan to a higher level, the chi inside the chest can
be separate into two levels (usually people call this "pre-birth chi" and "post-birth
chi"). When exhaling the upper level chi (post-birth chi) is breathed out from the
nose and, at the same time, the lower level chi (pre-birth chi) sinks to the dan tien.
When inhaling, the upper level chi is breathed in from the nose and, at the same
time, the lower level chi rises from the dan tien, along the spinal cord, to the area
between the shoulder blades. When a person can achieve this technique, we call it
"unobstructed chi" (the chi is able to circulate through the body freely). Everyone
who practices the correct form of Tai Chi Chuan for a certain period of time and to
a certain level may achieve this "unobstructed chi". However, the beginner does
not have to concentrate upon this breathing technique, but concentrate instead on
the forms for the correct movement and postures. The only requirements for the
beginners are slow movements, natural breathing, and a relaxation of the entire
body. If there is too much pressure to push the chi to sink into the dan tien, it will
head in the wrong direction. This may cause intestinal diseases or hemorrhoids
may flare up.
After practicing to a certain level, we have to know how to breathe. If we do not
understand the breathing theory then we cannot strive to attain the highest level of
Tai Chi Chuan. The Tai Chi Chuan classic, "Thirteen Postures: Comprehending
External and Internal Training", states:"Able to breathe, one may be agile and
alive." Meaning that the breathing and movements must be coordinated. When one
should exhale, then one must exhale; when one should inhale, on must inhale since

inhalation is insubstantial whereas exhalation is substantial. If performed correctly,

the body will be agile and alive. Otherwise, one cannot discriminate the substantial
and insubstantial, and the meaning of practicing Tai Chi Chuan is lost since Tai Chi
Chuan emphasizes the substantial and insubstantial.
Usually a teacher teaches the students to learn Tai Chi Chuan in two parts: the
internal and the external. The internal is breathing while the external is the forms.
If both parts are taught simultaneously and the student is unable to get it right, then
there will be difficulties. Therefore, the beginner should let the breathing be natural
and not emphasize the breathing technique. In this chapter, we study the breathing
knowledge. Therefore we cannot avoid discussing the breathing technique in detail
simply due to the above problem.
The details of the method are: when practicing the forms, one exhales when
extending the arm and inhales when withdrawing the arm; one inhales when rising
and exhales when sinking; to lift is to inhale, to lower is to exhale; when opening
up, one inhales, when closing, one exhales. When turning the body and in between
movements, there should be a "little breathing". A "little breathing" means taking
short breaths quickly and has the quality of relaxation and stoppage. Generally,
breathing is used to lead the movement. The movement must be coordinated with
the breathing. The body opens up and the chi closes. The chi opens up and the
body closes. In push hands, to push is to exhale; to roll back is to inhale; to ward
off is to exhale; to neutralize is to inhale. If one is rolled back by an opponent,
there should be a natural "little breathing". This "little breathing" should direct the
mind to calmness. When the mind is calm, then one is able to see and hear the
opponent's movements and void being caught off guard. If one is pressed or pushed
by an opponent, one should inhale. However, if one is unable to inhale, then one
should exhale because the chi from inhaling circulates to the hands and legs.
Therefore when one exhales to the extreme, there should be conversion to
inhalation; and when one inhales to the extreme, there should be conversion to
exhalation. Inhalation and exhalation can be converted alternately.
In big roll back, to strike the face is to exhale; to push is to exhale; to shoulder
strike is to exhale; to roll back is to inhale. If one is shoulder struck by an
opponent, one should inhale. If one is rolled back by an opponent, there should be
"little breathing". When turning the body and just before pushing, a "little
breathing" should occur. When performing other footwork and before striking,
there should be a "little breathing" as well so that one is calm and able to see and
listen as well as have a sticking power. The method in which the breathing is
performed in the use of knives, swords, spears, and sparring is the same as that
when practicing the forms.
The method to circulate the inner chi is separated into two types: from pre-birth to
post-birth and from post-birth to pre-birth. The first is from the front to the back,

meaning that the dan tien chi travels down to the hai ti and reverses to the tailbone,
travels along the spine to yu zhen up to tian ling, down the forehead and the nose
to ren zhong, to the throat, chest, navel and finally back to the dan tien. The second
is from the back to the front, meaning that the dan tien chi heads up from the navel
to the chest, throat, ren zhong, forehead, reaching tian ling, down to yu zhen and
continues along the spine to the tailbone, and finally reaches hai ti and returns to
the dan tien. Note: the second is the opposite of the first.
This type of "chi moving method" may seem very vague at the beginning but after
a long period of time, one will be able to fully understand and achieve it. These
two types of inner chi circulation must be used during solo practice as well as in
sparring practice with an opponent and in striking practice. Otherwise, even if the
strike is made with much power, it is still not good enough. Tai Chi Chuan masters
not only use the inner chi circulation method but can even listen and know the
opponent's inner chi: when it rises or lowers, moves to the front or back, move left,
right, up and down. This kind of supreme technique is never achieved until after a
few decades of good training. Of course, for the beginner, this is difficult to
understand.
There are two sounds "Heng" and "Haah" produced when inhaling and exhaling
(the great masters can also use mouth or navel to do their inhaling and exhaling).
The masters, when they practice, whether in solo or with an opponent, their mouths
produce these two sounds naturally for three reasons. Firstly, it makes the internal
chi smooth and comfortable; the internal organs will not get hurt by the pressure.
Secondly, the internal power can be released completely; none of it remains inside.
Thirdly, it scares the opponent (if an opponent experiences fear, their movements
become loose or scattered, their mind gets lost, their footwork becomes
undisciplined and therefore is unable to defend themselves and one has a chance to
win). Therefore, the two sounds of "Heng and Haah" are very useful and the
learner must pay close attention to them. One makes the sound "Heng" when one is
neutralizing and the inner chi is inhaled. The sound "Haah" is usually produced
when one grabs or strikes and the inner chi is exhaled. The Old Tai Chi Chuan
Classic of Ching Chyan Long Dynasty states: "Hold the dan tien to practice
internal kung fu. The two chis of Heng Haah are wonderful. Move open, quite
close, bend and extend to follow your opponent. Slow or fast, respond, follow the
theory and understand thoroughly." Another Tai Chi Chuan Classic state: "To apply
(push hands) on forth and back earlier or later, to close or to strike is like an arrow.
It cultivates a lot. One chi "Haah" then push far away. It needs to be taught by
mouth and secretly then open the door and see the sky." From that we can
understand the two sounds of "Heng Haah" are marvelous and infinite.

END.