For anyone interested in using qi/nei gong for healing, especially on the mental/emotional levels, this is a collection of links/resources that might be helpful, along with some suggested ways to practice/combine them. (This is an edited repost of an old comment, as the comment is now archived and so can't be edited.)

1-regulate the body, so its easier for it to process trapped energies. Do this using standing/sitting form practice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQc89NCI5g&list=PL1bUtCgg8VgA4giQUzJoyta_Nf3KXDsQO&index=1 (intro and then practices in a playlist) The is the same practice used for part 3 (developing song). It can also be done laying down/reclining, if you are low on energy/motivation etc.

2-regulate the breath, so your breathing and default state becomes more relaxed, and at ease. Do this by 'anchoring the breath' - in 2 parts, theory then practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0fTg23psfw&list=PLCUw6elWn0lghivIzVBAYGUm7HwRqzfQp&index=1

3-develop inner awareness and release as you do both of these, using ting and song https://youtu.be/S1y_aeCYj9c?si=VhIMb1mIkBRVvAN4&t=998 . There is more on song here https://www.internalartsinternational.com/free/daoist-meditation-lesson-five-theory-wu-ji-and-song-relaxation/

4-practice sensing where you feel emotions in the body, like in this example practice - https://youtu.be/CtLFBp0kda8?si=fLPkt-sPr7g9fdMv&t=706 apply ting and song to wherever you feel them - this whole video is good to watch too, for more context on the release/clearing process. Also there is more here on dissolving/clearing blocks https://www.internalartsinternational.com/free/daoist-meditation-lesson-six-theory-dissolving-clearing-blockages/

5-combine these practices, scanning the body for sensations of tension & emotions in the body, releasing them through ting and song, and taking time to dissolve blocks as you go.

6-do this in your daily life by going more slowly in what you do, and 'multi-tasking' in/adding in the scan/release/dissolve process, along with whatever else you're doing

7-add in some positive feelings/energy into the area that negatives are releasing/dissolving from. Initially you might need to practice with techniques that help build positive feelings, Then over time you can skip the systematised tuning in, and jump straight to channeling in the positive feelings/energy. Ideally you also merge this in with the releasing/dissolving, so there's an outward flow of negative energy, and a positive inward flow.

To get things built up to that point, you can use the relevant parts of these kinds of practice https://www.reddit.com/r/streamentry/wiki/twim-crash-course/ / https://www.lionsroar.com/ajahn-brahm-metta-loving-kindness-meditation/ / https://www.reddit.com/r/streamentry/comments/1ez4tpn/reverse_metta/ / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY77In3ZYGI/ . Or if you have a qi gong practice, then some aspect of bringing in the positive energy from that can work too,.

8-allow your body to adapt to the emotional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFAfI_DW0nY and physical releases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHxT8396qjA that happen. Also get some context on these releases as discussed here (alchemical process of clearing stored issues) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCRChIql1tA and here (old traumas re-emerging/releasing) https://youtu.be/TzJUnrEEIe4?si=Sa9FEDW_7TEnPA2s&t=1367 (22:47 to 27.10)

9-by doing all this you also build qi, along the lines of the principle 'yi dao, qi dao' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLjCOYF04L0&t=312s. You can also see alternative views of this with some other extra detail here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR29rCLhD6o and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXlxAw6EkBA. Then qi will help with the healing & strengthening process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXM6Ed9Zih4

Self explanatory title, having trouble with ldt breathing at the during reverse breathing, any help would be appreciated

Hello, 2 years ago I was first introduced to Qigong through Heavenly Essence Qigong (HEQ), created by Zhong Hongbao. The system was one of the larger qigong groups which was pushed out of China during the 'qigong fever' years in the late 90's. The system is intricate and appears designed as a way of life, centered around a symbolic creature, the Kylin, which represents various aspects of society. Core practices include chanting eight virtues and principles to cultivate a pure mind, each connected to aspects of the Kylin. Practitioners are also encouraged to call upon the energy spirit of Grandmaster Zhong for spiritual guidance and healing.

While I respect some of these practices, I feel uncomfortable with the chanting, as I don’t fully connect with or understand the meanings—translations are only given by my teacher, who often emphasizes “letting wisdom flow” rather than explaining the fundamentals. Researching Zhong Hongbao has also raised questions for me, as he has controversial allegations(rape,assault, murder) and political motivations, which I find difficult to ignore. The things I am to chant relate to things I do not fully grasp and am not sure I want to be chanting- but they are important to the practice. Two key aspects I feel deeply uncomfortable with are to visualize the Grandmaster and to chant the virtues regularly.

I’m struggling to reconcile these concerns and would appreciate any insights, particularly about HEQ’s background and approach. I am someone who needs to have a foundation of understanding to comfortably move forward and trust a system, and I am wary of being influenced by new age movements which may be ego driven creations. Reliable English information is scarce, and while my teacher is a skilled TCM practitioner, they are deeply committed to HEQ and to the Grandmaster, making it hard to get an objective perspective.

Insights about HEQ, qigong lineages in general, and this systems history would be a big help. I have decided to take up some outside training to see how that experience resonates for me, but I'd still like to explore my thoughts and feelings about HEQ before I decide what I want to do.

Thank you!

I've read in more than one source of seasoned Qigong practitioners (I hesitate to use the word master because I can't judge that) who say that ZZ is a mechanical process in that if your posture is good then you will gather Qi whether or not you are in a mindful state. These people have gone as far as to say that you can watch TV while practicing ZZ and it's still effective. I'm thinking about the middle ground of being mindful for a while then continuing ZZ while not so present. I would never be this mentally absent in any other Qigong practice but I'm intrigued.

Your thoughts, please.

Come forth and debate dao with this old man if your dao heart is strong enough.

My first question. Why cultivate for qi emission when your inner goal with that is simply bliss and enjoyment in life? Why not cultivate joy directly?

Why can't your lower dantian hold qi simply by placing attention, why must it be cultivated to hold qi?

Why do you all cultivate the upper dantians at all if not for union with the dao?

Cosmic Shower is a Shaolin skill where Qi flows from the top of your forehead through your body. Consistently practicing tuning into CS is said to be very healing.

I have a strong sensation of Small Universe and Big Universe and am trying to induce (or sense) CS. I can sense Qi on the surface of my body pretty easily by just bringing my attention to different areas but I don't have a sense of Qi in the center of my body, away from my skin.

If you practice Neigong or if you have experienced CS do you have any ideas on how I might tune into it?

I have most of energy in upper part of body which result in shallow breathing, revesing of diaphram tighness in stomach and pelvic area. Noticed few things

1. It become worst if I don't wear loose pants. Tight stomach male me anxious
2. It become normal if I focus on dan tien

What's is the reason is there some point in stomach which needs to be worked. Or should I focus only of dan tien I am a beginner just started fpfew of damo mitchell meditation

I heard on the John Chang documentary that scientists weren’t able to measure qi as electrical impulses. Qi is known as a psuedo-scientific concept, but bio electricity isn’t.

I’m wondering if anyone knows the main difference between qi and bio electricity?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGKh9kJINU4

1:50:45 is where she begins talking about the scientific definition of qi (her definition rather).

She says from that point on what I say and a few others here say often, which is ignored by many others: learn from a teacher, do not learn from books or try to teach yourself.

Don't try to learn neigong or qigong from books, don't try to start zhan zhuang from books and videos--there's only so much you can do and specific highly individualized corrections you need to be better.

At the beginning of the year, I had gone through a long period of a very Yang lifestyle, forcing things, and exhausting myself to the point of burnout through caffeine and stimulants (even more Yang).

Interestingly, during this burnout state, it was as if my insecurities, weaknesses and traumas became amplified. One example being an increasing sensitivity and overwhelm with social interactions and eye contact. I started becoming socially anxious. Something that was always there to a smaller degree, but that I hoped I had escaped with the through the momentum of the Yang lifestyle, and yet I ended with all my wounds amplified. I've later come to realize that deep wounds don't necessarily heal even if you have a lot of positive new reference experiences.

I have been pondering this a lot. How come these wounds were there years before, but I wasn't as reactive to them. I am wondering if it is simply a depletion/lack of the yin aspect in that lifestyle, that caused a dysregulation to the point that my wounds became very apparent?

Now I am in a situation where my life has shrunk immensely, because eye contact with people can be so overwhelming. I feel stuck doing these temporarily further dysregulating trauma healing practices, that seem to increase the Yang Qi in the body as the obstructions are being worked through.

I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice on this situation. 🙏

I don't fully understand the logic in this... If so someone could explain this to me it would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hello,

Is anyone aware of a good home course for Shan Zhuang and, if not, a good book? Thank you.

Can anyone do it? Can you care to show me on video? Showing me on video does 2 things for me. It allows me to amplify ur power thru the screen making your ability stronger. It also increases me chances of instantly learning how to do it thru paying attention and asking questions as you do it. Thank you.

I want to practice it but I want to know how to do it correctly

Hello everyone!

1- I would like to understand better the process of creation of the Lower Dantian(LDT), how do we create it's shell?

2- How long does it take to create the shell, when do you know that it's done and now you can fill it?

3- How do we fill it after we have created the shell?

4- What role does "Semen Retention" play at creating the LDT shell and filling it? Does it help or it doesn't matter?

5- If "Semen Retention" does matter, what if someone ejaculates, does it stops the progress of the formation of the LDT after one ejaculates or does it regress the progress?

Please, if possible, be very specific with practices to help me understand the process better.

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone here abstained for days while allowing their energy into the lower dantian or do you know anyone who has?

Is it true that if a lot of energy is filled in the lower dantien it can generate magnetism?

Hi there! I’m newish to Qigong. I have been doing it every day/ every other day for the last couple of months now. I’ve noticed that I feel electric shocks in my hand when making a Qi Ball/ Lion ball. It doesn’t hurt, it feels like small electric shocks needling all over my hands only during this time of practice, nothing else. Is this normal to feel? I have seen some posts on feeling a magnet like sensation or heat, but I haven’t found any posts that refer to small electric shock feeling. I’m a bit green to all of this so any guidance would be greatly appreciated:)<3

I am a beginner to Qigong. I mostly do morning to YouTube videos such as the popular Shaolin Qigong videos from Shaolin.Online. I have a lot of trauma, Cptsd, issues with chronic inflammation in the intestine. Is it normal to cry sometimes every session? It’s like when I connect more with my body this happens.

I read some posts that maybe as a beginner I need to focus on opening up my fascia more, how can I do this? I also read perhaps I need to focus on Yin energy? I’m looking for guidance, thank you 🙏🏻

I’m wondering if anyone here has an informed opinion (whether based on theory, personal experience, or both) as to what the purpose of the upper and middle dantians is.

Obviously most literature is about the lower dantian because it stores the energy so it’s “most important” or whatever. So then what are the top two dantians supposed to be doing?

Are the three supposed to be working in conjunction, and if so, how?

Thank you 🙏🏼

I think I haven't located the lower dantian yet, they say it is 3 or 4 fingers below the navel, but I don't know how to find it.

I don't know where it is, could you explain to me how to locate it?

Does anyone know of any qigong practices to increase sexual energy?

I want to increase my energy levels

Do you know of any exercises or techniques to store energy in the lower dantian?

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a solid Medical QiGong practitioner in NYC? It's hard to sort through those who genuinely practice QiGong and are developing their own energy vs those who offer it as an add on to other bodywork.

Hi everyone 😌

New to qi gong in recent weeks but coming from a yoga/energy background so not new to working with my life force.

In the last few days I’ve started having an interesting little tingle, pulsing and sometimes very slight pain in one particular small part of my scalp on the back left side.

I’m curious to know whether this is a common thing? Do you experience different parts of your body opening up and making strange sensations outside of practice the deeper you dive?

• I hope it's okay to cross-post from r/qigong -

Title, really. I would also be grateful to find a qi gong master who doesn't do qi healing per se, but could diagnose me and guide me to the right qi gong exercises. I just can't get to D.C. every week, it's a long drive and I'm disabled right now.

I know I could find a remote qi gong course and try that. I would really prefer to see a dedicated healer, as my situation is complicated and getting worse.

I'm rather at the end of my rope in terms of health. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

For those who know and practice this daily, what benefits have they obtained or are obtained by filling the lower dantian with energy?

• Qi gong breathing technique • 5 breath work movement • Qi gong walking meditation • Qi gong stand mediation ( Zhan Zhuang ) • Internal Qi gong • Qi gong balancing energy

I was looking for qigong exercises to increase sexual energy and I came across this one, but I don't know if it really works or if it's something made up, have any of you practiced it?

Here I leave the link so you can see it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLrUpLUCa9U&pp=ygUrcWkgZ29uZyBleGVyY2lzZXMgdG8gaW5jcmVhc2Ugc2V4dWFsIGVuZXJneQ%3D%3D

Should start around 11:30.

https://youtu.be/FVGUCcP8W9w?t=688

I don’t quite know how to pronounce these words/sounds and I thought it would help to see it spelled out in English.

EDIT: it sounds as if there are three different sounds…? Let me know what you are hearing. And thank you!