Breathing---The Tai Chi way
Compiled by David Chen, 2004.
In Professor Cheng Man-ching's book "The New Method of Self Cultivation" (Chinese edition, page 19), he has stated that:
"After 40 years of practicing Tai Chi, I have summed up my realization with
three sentences:
Swallow the (precious) air of heaven (in order to nourish the Qi.)
Borrow the (enormous) strength of earth (in order to grow root.)
And---
Reach longevity through softness."
Following are some of the writings regarding the Tai Chi breathing extracted from Mr. Robert W. Smith's paper in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, volume 5, 1996.
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The earliest words on breathing therapy in China were dated the sixth century BC.
"This is how breathing must be done:
The breath is retained and collected.
When it expends, it goes downwards. When it goes downwards, it becomes quite.
When it has become quite, it grows firm. When it is firm, it begins to germinate.
When it has germinated, it grows. When it has grown, it must be pressed back.
When it has been pressed back, it reaches the crown of the head.
At the top it presses against the crown of the head, down below it presses downwards.
Whoever follows this principle, lives."
----Translated by Palos, 1972
("The breath spoken of here is air that is inhaled and sunk to the Dantien where it is refined and warmed and, with the help of the mind, expands throughout the body and up the spine to the crown of the head." ----Robert W. Smith, 1996)
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"Concentrate your breath and make it supple and you will become as soft as an infant."
----By Laozi, 551-479 BC.
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"Let the inhalation and exhalation be smooth and unimpeded throughout the entire body.
The inhalation opens and gathers, the exhalation closes and discharges.
Because the inhalation can naturally raise and also uproot the opponent,
the exhalation can naturally sink down and also discharge him."
----Li Yiyu (1832-1892) Wu Style Taijiquan. Translated by Benjamin Lo, 1979.
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"In 1968, Cheng Man-ching begins by portraying we humans as so surrounded by
troubles that there is no solace, no rest for the mind, even in sleep.
The one avenue to peace, he says, is meditation.
The basis of meditation, he writes, is deep breathing that enhances blood circulation,
speeds the absorption of nutrients, and eases the metabolic process."
----By Robert W. Smith, 1996.
Cheng Man-ching describes his method:
"We use abdominal breathing.
The breathing should be deep, long, fine, even, light, slow, and quite.
As we inhale air, the lungs expand and fill to capacity, allowing it to deeply permeate
the air sacs, thus maximizing its distribution.
Simultaneously, the diaphragm is pushed downward, causing the belly to protrude.
When we exhale, the belly contracts, pushing upward and completely expelling the stale
air in the lungs.
In this way, the exchange of gases in the lungs realizes its greatest efficiency
through this kind of exercise for the internal organs."
----Translated by Douglas Wile, 1985.
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Robert W. Smith wrote about his experience with Professor Cheng Man-ching's breathing:
"After practicing and being minutely corrected on my form and push-hands,
I asked him about breathing.
Professor Cheng Man-ching said:
"It should be natural and must not be forced."
Then, he placed my right hand on his abdomen (he had a small "pot" there that he
continually tried to erode with circular massage),
and I felt it expand as he slowly inhaled.
Next, he took the index finger of my other hand and placed it under his nose and exhaled.
But, try as I might, I felt no exhalation from his nose, though I did feel his belly
empty under my right hand.
As it struck me that this was utterly impossible, and then I began to think that I felt
an extremely light and wire-fine beam of air coming from his nose.
I don't know which was the most astounding: the fineness of his exhalation or my utter
inability to feel it.
Either way, it was a most impressive performance.
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"Tai Chi is the natural way of breathing;
it is slow, gentle, and deep.
Natural breathing increases lung capacity, supplies sufficient oxygen for the body
needs and aids in relaxation during the movement.
It also helps loosen all passages, allowing the distribution of oxygen more effectively.
During inhalation, the diaphragm goes down, which increases the size of the lung
cavity and forces more air to rush in.
Exhaling moves the diaphragm up and squeezes waste air out.
The mouth should be kept closed which prevents it from becoming dry.
----By William CC Chen, 1994.
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"During inhalation, the Qi (internal energy) goes inside but does the lifting.
During exhalation, it goes outside but sinking.
There need be no set pattern for matching breath and movement.
The key is to relax and sink without holding your breath---
Inhale before a push and exhale as you push."
----By Benjamin Lo and Robert W. Smith, 1985.
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"The lungs are reservoirs of air, and air is the lord of strength.
You must learn to breathe properly.
The boxers put breathing as a prerequisite for gaining physical power.
This was because the internal organs could be damaged through improper breathing.
The prime secret stressed a short inhale and a long exhale.
----By Robert W. Smith, 1964.
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