ZHINENG Qigong Breathing

Exercises

In 2008, Zhineng Qigong teacher​ Jane Jin 

introduced me to a system of unique qigong breathing exercises. I was eagerly 

encouraged by fellow qigong practitioners to give them a try. Although I felt I had plenty 
to explore and practice in the qigong world, I reluctantly decided to give them a chance. 
Immediately, I began incorporating them into my daily Zhineng Qigong practice. I was 
truly surprised at the beneficial changes that quickly occurred. My other qigong 
practices soon reached new levels; I felt more awake, calm, insightful and stronger than 
ever before. 

Jane explained that this unique breathing system was developed and offered to the 
public by Master Zhankui Liu, a long-time student of Dr. Pang Ming (the founder of 
Zhineng Qigong). She described how the breathing exercises combine knowledge of 
modern science and medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, qigong and yoga practice. 
They initiate both self-healing and fitness, as well as an advanced meditation practice. 
With regular practice the breathing exercises quickly activate energy, restore vitality to 
the sick, maintain health and increase longevity. 

Activation of the body’s microcirculatory system, energy centers and organs through 
qigong breathing exercises provide profound, discernable beneficial effects. This 
activation permeates our being in a multitude of ways. The respiratory, digestive, 
circulatory, immune and urinary systems are enhanced. The purpose of these breathing 
methods is to awaken and conserve vital energy in “energy banks” within the body, 
which will fuel all our activities. 

Theoretical Base 

Master Liu developed these breathing exercises for modern times based on Zhineng 
Qigong’s theoretical foundations. They are simple practices appropriate for everyone. 
They were developed to assist all people who want improved health and spiritual 
development. 

The theoretical base for the breathing exercises is the Hunyuan Rhymed Formula as 
introduced by Dr. Pang. The Rhymed Formula basically and generally reads as: 

“Hunyuan qi is invisible and formless while also being visible and substantial. Yin yang 
become one. Qi creates all life through the natural rhythm of open/close, 
gather/condense, disperse/dissolve, transform/transmute.” 

Breathing System 

This qigong breathing system consists of: an opening meditation, three distinct 
breathing methods, head massages and a closing meditation. 

The preparatory or opening meditation is to open mind and heart. Through this 
meditation we become centered, grounded and more connected with nature. This alone 
promotes overall wellness by reducing stress and making space for increased wellness 
and happiness. 

The distinct breathing exercises are designed to activate and achieve resonance of the 
three main dantians in the body. They each employ specific hand positions (mudra). 
The use of a mudra with palms placed together greatly enhances the effectiveness of 
the practice as circulating energy between the palms balances yin and yang. 

The first and third methods use alternate breathing and are designed to activate the 
middle and lower dantians. The first method awakens the micro-circulatory system of 
the body thereby promoting qi penetration throughout entire body. It stimulates and 
balances lung and brain activities and enhances all functions of the body. 

The second method circulates energy between the brain and the lower abdomen. It 
supports a connection with the three main energy centers: upper, middle and lower 
dantian. 

The third method massages the five major organs through the up and down movement 
of the diaphragm. It awakens qi in organs and enhances qi in lower dantian. All systems 
of the body are also improved because of the movement of the diaphragm. When it 
moves up, the diaphragm massages the heart and lungs. When it moves down, it 
activates the liver, pancreas, digestive system, kidneys, etc. 

Head Massage 

The head massage method is done after each breathing method to activate all 
meridians in the head and boost qi and blood circulation to balance qi through the 
whole body. It also activates the nerves of the scalp; the key acu-points on the head and 
promotes qi to nourish the brain’s nerve cells. Practiced with breathing, it is highly 
beneficial, but it can also be practiced on it’s own. 

The breathing exercises are followed by a closing meditation “yang qi” (conserving qi) 
to gather, condense and store qi in lower dantian. The more time spent doing yang qi 
the faster your dantian will fill with abundant qi, which will help to enhance your 
wellness and balance emotions. 

The breathing exercises are still my main practice. Many students tell me the same is 
true for them and that they have been the most beneficial of all the qigong exercises. If 
you would like to learn more about this breathing system and can’t come to a class or 
workshop, please c ​ ontact us ​as we can provide written and video instructions for you. 
Abundant qi to you, 

Martha 

 
 
 
 
 

Zhineng Breathing Exercise (Revised 

Edition) 
 
 
Zhineng Breathing Exercise (ZBE) is a very rational and effective method for 
self-healing and fitness. It was compiled and created by ​Master Zhankui Liu 
for the sick to restore health quickly and for the healthy to keep fit and 
prolong life. It consists of three postures. 

● Preparatory Requirements 
● Posture One 
● Posture Two 
● Posture Three 
● Closing Posture 
 ● Key Points 

Preparatory Requirements 
Sit upright; rest the two feet flatly on the floor, keep them apart at the same 
breadth of the shoulders; lift up the crown-point (Baihui); tuck the chin; 
close the eyes slowly; withdraw forward the back and stretch straight the 
spine, relax the whole body naturally. 
Press the palms together and form praying-hands in front of the chest; then 
bend all the thumbs, middle fingers, ring fingers and little fingers inside the 
palms; point the index fingers up forming Hunyuan Sword Fingers. 

Posture One 
Move the Hunyuan Sword Fingers up to the nose; press and block the left 
nostril with the left index finger gently; press Renzhong with the right index 
finger; apply belly-breathing method through a single nostril. First, inhale 
through the right nostril and expand the belly outward; then exhale with 
the right index finger released from Renzhong and moved to the right 
nostril to where it presses; move the left index finger from the left nostril to 
Renzhong and press it lightly; exhale all the chi in the belly through the left 
nostril with the belly withdrawn naturally. Exchange the location of the 
index fingers as you inhale and exhale repeating the breathing cycles. 

Posture Two 
Cover the belly button with the right palm, press the Yingxiang points 
gently with the left thumb and index finger, press close the nostrils and 
push up the nasal septum slightly, inhale forcefully while releasing the 
thumb and index finger; then exhale with the left hand moving slowly to 
the belly button, guiding chi into the lower Vital Center (Dantian). Exchange 
the hands and repeat the breathing cycles. 

Posture Three 
Repeat the same movements of the index fingers as described in Posture 
One, but practice both inhaling and exhaling in three to five steps, making 
them short and forceful, as if it happens within the belly to OPEN, OPEN, 
OPEN, or CLOSE, CLOSE, CLOSE. 
Closing Posture (Yang Chi) 
Place the palms onto the belly button for half of the duration of the 
above-mentioned practice. The purpose of this closing posture is to gather 
and keep all chi into the lower Vital Center (Dantian). 
The natural belly-breathing method is applied to all the above-mentioned 
postures. Zhineng Breathing Exercise was compiled and created according 
to the rhymed formula of Hunyuan Qigong 每 Hunyuan One Five Elements, 
invisible and formless but yet also visible and substantial; the Center 
contains Yinyang and vitality, the chi creates all lives through opening, 
closing, gathering and condensing, dispersing as well as dissolving. ZBE 
combined the knowledge of modern sciences and medicine, the traditional 
Chinese medicine and Qigong science, it reveals the secrets of human life 
science. The practitioner will restore health within a short period of time 
and achieve longevity through persistent practice. 

Key Points 

● Renzhong: the point at the junction of the upper third (vertical) and 
middle third (lateral) of the philtrum 
● Yingxiang: double points at the level of the midpoint of the lateral 
wing of the nose, in the masolabial groove 
● Shangen: the midpoint of the line connecting the inner canthus of 
the eye with Yintang. 
● Yintang: the point at the midway between the medical ends of the 
eyebrows, up the tip of the nose. 
Features 

● ZBE was compiled and created in accordance with the principal 

rhymed formula of Hunyuan Chi Theories. The rhymed formula reads 
as - Hunyuan One Five Elements, invisible and formless but yet also 
visible and substantial; the Center contains Yinyang and vitality, the 
chi creates all lives through opening, closing, gathering and 
condensing, dispersing as well as dissolving. 
● ZBE is a method for healing and fitness through natural 
belly-breathing activities. The emphasis is placed upon balancing the 
Yin and the Yang, at the same time; it also enhances the vitality of the 
five solid organs and the six hollow organs as well as the four limbs 
and all the bones. ZBE follows and tallies with the basic laws of life 
activities 每 ascending, descending, opening, closing, condensing, 
dispersing and converting. 
● Practicing ZBE can quickly improve and enhance the 
micro-circulative system of the five solid organs and the six hollow 
organs, which will further improve and enhance the functions of the 
respiratory system, digestive system, blood circulative system, and 
immune system as well as the urinary system. 
● ZBE practices Hunyuan chi. It can activate both the external Hunyuan 
chi and the internal Hunyuan chi; it can also unify the practices of 
both the external Hunyuan and internal Hunyuan, the latter includes 
the Body and Mind Hunyuan as well as the Internal Organic True Chi 
Hunyuan. 
● ZBE starts from the whole and the one. The emphasis is placed upon 
the sympathetic vibration of all the three vital centers (Dantian). 
● There are no special visualizing activities in the practice of ZBE. In 
Zhineng Qigong practice, chi is activated through either physical 
movements, conscious activities of the mind or pronunciation of 
special words. ZBE practice activates chi through respiratory 
activities. 
● ZBE is an integrated method for fitness exercise. It is simple and easy 
to learn, beneficial to both the old and the young practitioners with 
remarkable effects. It is the evangel for the sick to restore health; and 
it is also a favorable method for the healthy to keep fit. 
● Through ZBE practice, the True chi or Hunyuan chi in the human 
body can be activated quickly with striking effects. 
 ● ZBE can be practiced as a supplementary form to Zhineng Qigong 
practice. ZBE practice is a transitional form to transmute the 
Hunyuan chi from the external Hunyuan to the internal Hunyuan, 
within the latter, from the Body and Mind Hunyuan to the Organic 
True Chi Hunyuan, then further to the Central Channel Hunyuan. It is 
a very effective form to come up to advanced standards. 
● Distinct reactions due to ZBE practice: 
○ The practitioner may have a good appetite within some period 
of time or a poor one in other times. 
○ If the practitioner has some kind of illness or disease in the 
internal organs, the limbs or the body, he or she will feel such 
sensations as soreness, numbness, swell or pain in the affected 
part. 
○ In the process of ZBE practice, the practitioner may experience 
other reactions denoting improvement, such as colds, fevers, 
vomiting, diarrhea, oral ulcer, red eyes, physical weakness, dizzy 
head, cold or hot body, etc. 
○ During ZBE practice, the practitioner sometimes sleeps more, 
sometimes less, sometimes feels vigorous and energetic. 
○ The practitioner may experience distinct emotional or 
sentimental reactions due to the activities of the five internal 
organs, such as joy, anger, worry, deliberation and fear. 

 
[​Full Screen​] 
 
Copyright (c)2006 Jane Jin. All rights reserved. 

Questions on zhineng breathing exercise

Some one asked me some questions about the zhineng breathing exercise and I thought it would be
beneficial for others to read about it and add comments if they have any.

[a] What does natural abdominal breathing mean? Are we are not to slightly pull in our abdomen all the
time? What about pulling up huiyin and closing anus?
Natural abdominal breathing: When you breathe in your stomach rises and when you breathe out your
stomach collapses back. If you are able to draw hui yin into lower dantian it will be good but if you cannot
that is okay. It will come when you have advanced to a different level of awareness of the body, mind, and
qi trinity. The same goes for drawing anus in.

[b] What does "withdraw forward the back" and strengthing the spine [during the start of ZBE] means?

"Withdraw forward the back" in pin yin "yao xiang chien ta" means you arch your lower back (the lumbar
region) slightly towards your front so that your spine is ever so slightly curved forward. This is normal
zhineng qigong posture requirement wherein the lower back is curved forward while sitting and curved
backwards ("xiang hou du") when standing.

[C] What is the rhythm, type of breath and time in seconds for the inhale/exhale in ZBE1,ZBE2 and
ZBE3?

No strict rhythm to follow. You do it at your own natural and comfortable pace. In zhineng qigong or any
qigong practice it is never advisable to force your body for it will be counter productive and cause one to
be unsettled - out of qi gong state if you like.

[d] Ideally what should one's mind be thinking/concentrating on during ZBE? What about YQ and
THCMM. What did Jane's mention about visualization in advanced practice?

Prior to starting your mind or "yi" should be in the state wherein you are thinking ZBE will enhance the
natural process qi exchange between yourself and the universe. As you breathe in your body opens up
and receives hunyuan qi into every cell of your body. And as you breathe out you release qi back into the
universe, thus occurs a natural process of qi exchange between man and nature in perfect harmony.
I did not join Jane's advanced practice but through some lectures i know that they did a lot more yang qi
into the middle dantian.

e] Why is sitting on the floor to practice better than sitting on a chair? And how do one overcome the back
pain?

I am not aware that sitting on the floor is better than on a chair. I should think getting the correct posture
for proper relaxation is more important. If your back pain is due to soreness from practice it is okay as it is
a sign of qi blockage clearing up and you will get better. I cannot tell you more unless you describe in
more detail eg where is your pain located.
[f] Do we include building a qi field? If yes, is it internal hun yuan qi field?

Yes always set up a qi field. It is actually a practice to adjust our consciousness to a different level
wherein our awareness of the surrounding or universe becomes more acute. I find it most beneficial to
become aware of being inside qi and whatever I do I am doing it inside qi. At yet another consciousness
level we become one with this qi medium and then we do not have qi "inside" or "outside"of ourselves. I
do not recall Jane talking about whether it is internal hunyuan qi. I would not worry about this question as
it would not matter in this case.

[g] What is the recommended duration of practice for beginers and advanced students for ZBE, THCMM
and YQ

There is no recommended duration of practice. You just do for as long as you are comfortable. But do a
lot of yang qi and you will progress better. I used to do two to three hours in one session.

By: ​Lim Kian Tee ​at ​Sunday, January 10, 2010

Labels: ​Zhineng Qi Gong

Answers to question on ZBE & THCMM - Part II

January 21, 2010 - Somebody very kindly pointed out my mistakes I have corrected it now. Hope no more
mistakes. ;)

ZBE2
[a] Should the forceful inbreath coincide simultaneously with the pushing out of abdomen and mingmen
when releasing the fingers from the nostrils, like a solid straight suction to the abdomen?

At all times be relaxed: especially your shoulders should be relaxed leave a space underneath your
armpits.​ ​With thumb and index finger touching "yin xiang" point egntly close both nostrils by bringing
thumb and index finger together.​ ​At the same time take a deep breath... with nostrils closed you will feel a
slight pressure build up on your thorax.. without letting the pressure become uncomfortable release index
finger and thumb from nostrils... you will feel a sudden in-rush of air (qi) right into your lower dantian.
Remember to relax your abdomen.​ ​If you got it right you will feel your stomach rising and even your
"mingmen" point will move back and out towards your back.

[b] What if we have blocked nostril or nostrils?

Good question.​ ​I have not had blocked nose therefore have no experience on this.​ ​I should think the nose
is never absolutely blocked and so you should be able to still take in some air/qi.​ ​Perhaps it could even
clear your nose blockage.

ZBE3
[a] How is the short and powerful inhale and exhale in 3 to 5 steps done?

At the end of ZBE 2 bring both hands together in praying position ("he shi")in front of your chest.​ ​Open
both hands interlockfingers into "hun yuan sword" fingers position.

1. Slowly bring up sword finger to nostrils and allow left index finger into left nostril and rest the right index
finger on "ren zhong" point.
2. Instead of taking one deep breath into your lower dantian, take 3 to 5 short breaths (through your right
nostril) into lower dantian.​ ​Remember to relax your shoulders, armpits hollow, and feel your abdomen rise
with each short breath.
3. A the the end of fifth breath, slowly change postion of your index finger such that right index finger is
now inside right nostril while left index finger rests on ren zhong.​ ​Now instead of letting out one deep
breath, let out 3 to 5 short "out-breaths" (through your left nostril).
4. At the fifth out-breath you should feel your abdomen fully collapsed.​ ​Without changing index fingers
position, take 3 to 5 short "in-breaths" through the same left nostril.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 above;​ ​each time alternating your index finger positions.

[b] What does "as if it happens within the belly means"?

It means as I have described above.​ ​With each short breath you should feel your belly (stomach) "rising
for in-breaths" and "collapsing for out-breaths".​ ​If you are able to "feel" your dantian you should have no
problem experiencing what Jane described as open, open, open and close, close, close.

[c] During ZBE3, what should we do when feeling lethargic, dizzy head and fainting feeling? Are these
denoting improvement or symptoms of hyperventilation?
Dr. Pang has taught us that there will be reactions during practice and we should not be unduly alarmed
by them.​ ​If reaction symptoms arise remind yourself of Dr. Pang's teachings and carry on.​ ​If symptoms
becomes unbearable, listen to your body... and stop if you think you need to.​ ​I have had pains in joints,
dizzy feelings, really red-eyes (totally blood shot) shot etc. but they all clear up soon enough.

ZBE as far as I can see is fairly harmless and it is actually quite similar to Dr. Pang's Lianqi bafa
(eight methods of cultivating qi) - That's my opinion but others may think otherwise.​ ​Qi is not
guided and therefore it is safe.
THCMM
[a] In posture 1,2 and 3, the positions of fingers at the top of the head remains the same as when they
started. But it seems the positions are different at the back of the head. What should the positions of the
fingers at the back of head be?
First of all you must know the positions of the accupoints: 1)er men & tong zi niao for THCMM 1;​ ​2) tong
zi niao, yu yao jie, dazhui for THCMM 2;​ ​and 3) tong zi niao, yu yao jie, san ken, yin tang, tian men, bai
hui, and yu chen for THCMM 3

Your fingers should be positioned correctly to massage these points as you sweep your hands over your
head.​ ​Position of your hands at the back in my opinion is not so important as no acupoints are massaged
at the back of the head.​ ​What I do is for THCMM 1, keep my hands close to the ear at the back.​ ​For
THCMM 2 I allow my hands sweep past yu chen and down to the back of my neck (da zhui) before
bringing them back to the front.​ ​For THCMM 3: index finger at tong zi niao, little fingers at shanken, ring
fingers at yin tang, and middle fingers at yu yao jie.​ ​When sweeping back all fingers brushes over yin
tang, bai hui, yu chen and dazhui.

[b] It seems that the fingers must massage the face when going back to the starting position in posture
1,2 and 3. But in posture 3 it seems [in the video] that the
fingers don't massage the face when going back to the starting position. Is this correct
Fingers massage I have mentioned above.​ W
​ hen hands are back in front: for THCMM 2 you must place
fingers back in the starting position: ie index finger on tong zi niao, little fingers on yu yao jie.​ ​Starting
fingers positions are important for THCMM 3, that is why you see master Liu bringing the fingers straight
to the original positons described in [a] above.

[c] What if one don't massage the face? How much pressure to apply in the massage?
You do not have to apply pressure.​ ​Just touch the skin and sweep your hands.​ ​What's important is your
"yi" (mind intent).​ ​If you think: as I sweep my hands I am stimulating qi flow along the meridians and
activating the accupoints to allow greater opening and closing of these points thus enhancing the natural
process of qi-exchange between my body and the qi of the universe.

Hun yuan ling tong!

Kian Tee