NEI GONG BREATHING EXERCISES
The term "nei gong" (內 功) means internal skill. Nei gong emphasizes training the coordination body movement with breathing. This is known as harmony of the internal and external energy.
Nei gong utilizes various breathing exercises intended to coordinate mind, body, breathing, and movement for the purposes of improved health, meditation practices, and martial arts training. At this point and for our purposes, nei gong exercises are designed to relax musculature and open joints by release of muscular tension though movement and certain breathing methods. The general goal is to understand how breathing and movement function harmoniously. While there are certainly more advanced and esoteric uses of nei gong, such things are far beyond the scope of this discussion.
PRINCIPLES OF NEI GONG
In nei gong training, we must be guided by the following principles:
TRANQUILITY
First, it is necessary to reach tranquility of mind and body which immediately coordinates with movement. Focus on breath to reach tranquility of mind and relaxation of body instantaneously. Tranquility consists of mind emptiness.
We must put an end to all extraneous thoughts. Only then are we be able to reach a state of mindful concentration. Our thoughts must be in a state of undisturbed focus. As a result, the focused mind will keep the body tranquil. Only then are we able to reach a state of focused relaxation. This state is achieved by concentration of a tranquil mind. A tranquil mind allows conscious intent to move the body.
When the mind is tranquil and controlled, the body is tranquil and controlled. When the body is tranquil and controlled, the breath is tranquil and controlled. Such is the function of tranquility in nei gong breathing exercises.
LIMPNESS
The muscles of the whole body must be limp. In the state of limpness our muscles are quick. As a result of limpness, breath, blood, and energy moves freely and smoothly.
In training and combat, it is necessary to control and regulate limpness. Only in that state, will conscious intent effortlessly move the body to react accordingly to all stances and techniques of the enemy, who all the time during an attack delivers various strokes with his hands and feet. The body must move freely up and down, from left to right, from right to left. Such movements are transitions. Before performing any transition, a limb must be limp. Without limpness, it is difficult to transition the body. In a limp state, conscious intent freely enters all parts of the body and the body obeys instructions.
When the body is tranquil and controlled, the breath is tranquil and controlled. When the breath is tranquil and controlled, the mind is tranquil and controlled. Such is the function of limpness in nei gong breathing exercises.
SMOOTHNESS AND THOROUGHNESS
The most important thing in the movement of breath is smoothness and thoroughness. Inhalation and an exhalation must be deep and long. They must be done smoothly and thoroughly.
During exhalation, breathe out completely. During an inhalation, breathe in completely. Furthermore, it is necessary to breathe smoothly and thoroughly. One should not be careless and coarse. It is necessary to monitor our breath constantly. Pay sufficient attention to the duration of breath. Breath should not be short or shallow. Inhalation and exhalation must be deep, long, thorough, and steady.
When the breath is tranquil and controlled, the mind is tranquil and controlled. When the mind is tranquil and controlled, the body is tranquil and controlled. Such is the function of smoothness and thoroughness in nei gong breathing exercises.
UNIFICATION OF BREATH AND MOVEMENT
The mind should control breathing which must function in unity with physical force. Breathing should strengthen physical force. All parts of the body are interconnected. All is permeated with the single movement of breath. The great secret of the art of nei gong lies in the unity of breath and movement.
The mind is the general and commander. The eyes are forward scouts. If the mind is clouded by extraneous thoughts, it will not properly respond to messages from the eyes. The general will be unable to comprehend the meaning of the enemy's disposition and can not determine movement and stillness. Uncertainty, anxiety, anticipation, and fear ensue. The regular pace of breathing will be upset. Tranquility is destroyed and relaxed focus lost. Tension creeps into the muscles and binds the joints.
If the mind is clear of extraneous thoughts, it will properly respond to messages from the eyes. Will moves conscious intent. Conscious intent delivers the orders from the general to the advance guards. If the body is relaxed, a single movement of conscious intent sets into motion all joints of the body. Conscious intent reaches the tips of the fingers. A quick movement of breath and hand, with its all-crushing force, goes out.
Each movement of the body is permeated with a single breath. The body moves quickly and breath is coordinated with movement. As a result, both arms and legs become quick and strong. The body is fast and livid. Movement is energetic, agile, and coordinated.
Unify breath with movement and attain your aim in one motion. One movement of the will and the whole body obeys the order of conscious intent. The body moves like lightning and in combat we are victorious.
APPLICATION OF COORDINATED BREATH AND MOVEMENT
The cause of stillness is focused relaxation and the cause of movement is conscious intent. Movement and stillness are the result of concentrated focus. Without conscious intent to move, inhalation and exhalation corresponds to stillness and no force is generated. In this case, force is not applied and the position is void. With conscious intent to move, inhalation and exhalation corresponds to movement and force is generated. In this case, force is applied and the complete position is held.
It is the moment of acceptance that determines victory or defeat. Under no circumstance must we permit discord in our actions. Victory results from a profound understanding the principles of unification of breath and movement. In this way, it is possible to improve actions of the human body.
MORE TO COME ON THIS SUBJECT SOON...
The term "nei gong" (內 功) means internal skill. Nei gong emphasizes training the coordination body movement with breathing. This is known as harmony of the internal and external energy.
Nei gong utilizes various breathing exercises intended to coordinate mind, body, breathing, and movement for the purposes of improved health, meditation practices, and martial arts training. At this point and for our purposes, nei gong exercises are designed to relax musculature and open joints by release of muscular tension though movement and certain breathing methods. The general goal is to understand how breathing and movement function harmoniously. While there are certainly more advanced and esoteric uses of nei gong, such things are far beyond the scope of this discussion.
PRINCIPLES OF NEI GONG
In nei gong training, we must be guided by the following principles:
- Tranquility,
- Limpness,
- Smoothness and Thoroughness,
- Unification of Breath and Movement.
First, it is necessary to reach tranquility of mind and body which immediately coordinates with movement. Focus on breath to reach tranquility of mind and relaxation of body instantaneously. Tranquility consists of mind emptiness.
We must put an end to all extraneous thoughts. Only then are we be able to reach a state of mindful concentration. Our thoughts must be in a state of undisturbed focus. As a result, the focused mind will keep the body tranquil. Only then are we able to reach a state of focused relaxation. This state is achieved by concentration of a tranquil mind. A tranquil mind allows conscious intent to move the body.
When the mind is tranquil and controlled, the body is tranquil and controlled. When the body is tranquil and controlled, the breath is tranquil and controlled. Such is the function of tranquility in nei gong breathing exercises.
LIMPNESS
The muscles of the whole body must be limp. In the state of limpness our muscles are quick. As a result of limpness, breath, blood, and energy moves freely and smoothly.
In training and combat, it is necessary to control and regulate limpness. Only in that state, will conscious intent effortlessly move the body to react accordingly to all stances and techniques of the enemy, who all the time during an attack delivers various strokes with his hands and feet. The body must move freely up and down, from left to right, from right to left. Such movements are transitions. Before performing any transition, a limb must be limp. Without limpness, it is difficult to transition the body. In a limp state, conscious intent freely enters all parts of the body and the body obeys instructions.
When the body is tranquil and controlled, the breath is tranquil and controlled. When the breath is tranquil and controlled, the mind is tranquil and controlled. Such is the function of limpness in nei gong breathing exercises.
SMOOTHNESS AND THOROUGHNESS
The most important thing in the movement of breath is smoothness and thoroughness. Inhalation and an exhalation must be deep and long. They must be done smoothly and thoroughly.
During exhalation, breathe out completely. During an inhalation, breathe in completely. Furthermore, it is necessary to breathe smoothly and thoroughly. One should not be careless and coarse. It is necessary to monitor our breath constantly. Pay sufficient attention to the duration of breath. Breath should not be short or shallow. Inhalation and exhalation must be deep, long, thorough, and steady.
When the breath is tranquil and controlled, the mind is tranquil and controlled. When the mind is tranquil and controlled, the body is tranquil and controlled. Such is the function of smoothness and thoroughness in nei gong breathing exercises.
UNIFICATION OF BREATH AND MOVEMENT
The mind should control breathing which must function in unity with physical force. Breathing should strengthen physical force. All parts of the body are interconnected. All is permeated with the single movement of breath. The great secret of the art of nei gong lies in the unity of breath and movement.
The mind is the general and commander. The eyes are forward scouts. If the mind is clouded by extraneous thoughts, it will not properly respond to messages from the eyes. The general will be unable to comprehend the meaning of the enemy's disposition and can not determine movement and stillness. Uncertainty, anxiety, anticipation, and fear ensue. The regular pace of breathing will be upset. Tranquility is destroyed and relaxed focus lost. Tension creeps into the muscles and binds the joints.
If the mind is clear of extraneous thoughts, it will properly respond to messages from the eyes. Will moves conscious intent. Conscious intent delivers the orders from the general to the advance guards. If the body is relaxed, a single movement of conscious intent sets into motion all joints of the body. Conscious intent reaches the tips of the fingers. A quick movement of breath and hand, with its all-crushing force, goes out.
Each movement of the body is permeated with a single breath. The body moves quickly and breath is coordinated with movement. As a result, both arms and legs become quick and strong. The body is fast and livid. Movement is energetic, agile, and coordinated.
Unify breath with movement and attain your aim in one motion. One movement of the will and the whole body obeys the order of conscious intent. The body moves like lightning and in combat we are victorious.
APPLICATION OF COORDINATED BREATH AND MOVEMENT
The cause of stillness is focused relaxation and the cause of movement is conscious intent. Movement and stillness are the result of concentrated focus. Without conscious intent to move, inhalation and exhalation corresponds to stillness and no force is generated. In this case, force is not applied and the position is void. With conscious intent to move, inhalation and exhalation corresponds to movement and force is generated. In this case, force is applied and the complete position is held.
- When we inhale, smoothness of movement is preferable.
- When we exhale, speed of movement is preferable.
- When force originates in us, it is preferable to exhale.
- When force is accepted by us, it is preferable to inhale.
- When we accept some action, it is preferable to inhale.
- When we give back some action, it is preferable to exhale.
It is the moment of acceptance that determines victory or defeat. Under no circumstance must we permit discord in our actions. Victory results from a profound understanding the principles of unification of breath and movement. In this way, it is possible to improve actions of the human body.
MORE TO COME ON THIS SUBJECT SOON...
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