The so-called ' Guan Qi ' or promoting qi flow method is a basic exercise in which the mind is closely combined with respiration, and assisted by the postures of hands, conducting the qi to make full exchange between the internal milieu of the human body and the external surroundings of nature by means of respiration. Then the ' Guan Qi ' exercise along meridians is the same method as mentioned above, but it is characterized by pushing the qi along the courses of 14 major meridians in the body. With this exercise the automatic control system of the body can be enhanced, the protective adjustment in the brain facilitated, the sufficient respiratory exchange in the lung maintained, and ample oxygen supply provide for the internal organs and tissues, especially the brain, heart and kidney. Moreover, this exercise can be also used to correct the deviation and discomfort occurring in the practice of qigong . If this method is performed facing trees and flowers in a quiet environment with fresh air one to three times a day, 10 to 20 minutes for each time, with the practice of 100 days, beneficial results Will be obtained especially in the middle-aged and old people suffering from chronic diseases. The key point for attaining good result is unremitting practice.
The ' Guan Qi ' exercise along meridians consists of 2 parts one is 'Guan Qi exercise of the twelve regular meridians', and the other is 'that of the Ren and Du meridians. 'The former is called major qi cycle while the latter known as Guan Qi method in the small qi cycle. In the major qi cycle, it has been found that every four meridians can form a separately closed circulatory cycle, therefore the major qi cycle is subdivided into cycle 1, cycle 2 and cycle 3.
Part I Major qi cycle
Cycle 1:
Lung Meridian of ------------------ Large Intestine Meridian
Hand-Taiyin of Hand-Yangming
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Spleen Meridian of ------------------ Stomach Meridian of
Foot- Taiyin Foot- Yangming
Performance: Stand in quietness and relaxation with both hands piled one on the other and put together on the region of Dantian; massage on the region clockwise and counterclockwise, six times in each, then the same method of massage repeated on the epigastric region. After that, both hands go up over the diaphragm, and the mind covers from the chest to the hands along the course of the Lung Meridian. Then both arms spread out slowly with the thumbs erected and all other fingers relaxed. The palms are turned from facing the front to facing upward, and the arms go up further with fingers parted from each other and pointing to the sky. Look up to watch fingers, first the thumb then the index finger, then look down to perceive internally the Yangming Meridians (the Hand-Yangming Meridian first, and the Foot-Yangming Meridian later) . Both hands are lowered down slowly to point Dazhui (Du 14) and move forward along the lateral neck up to the face. With the thumbs erected and palms facing the face, the hands push down along the Stomach Meridian to conduct the qi down to Lidui (S 45), and subsequently the arms drop down and the body bends over to converge the first 3 fingers with the first 3 toes. Toes tap the ground 3 times, simultaneously the kidney qi is elevated 3 times. Internal perception concentrates on the Taiyin Meridians (the Foot-Taiyin Meridian first and the Hand-Taiyin later), starting from Yinbai (Sp 1), along the Spleen Meridian to ascend to Zhongfu (L l) on route Zhourong (Sp 20), to connect with the Hand-Taiyin Meridian, forming cycle 1. The same procedure of concentration is repeated for 3 to 9 times and then followed by 3 cycle 2.
Cycle 2:
Heart Meridian --------------- Small Intestine Meridian
of Hand-Shaoyin of Hand-Taiyang
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Kidney Meridian ------------ Urinary Bladder Meridian
of Foot-Shaoyin of Foot-Taiyang
Performance: The concentrated flow of qi starts from the Spleen Meridian at the end of the big toe and rises to enter the abdomen at Chongmen (Sp 12) to connect with the Heart. Meridian. Meanwhile the body gradually straightens up and the qi is conducted to arrive at the heart and flow transversely in the auxiliary region. Arms spread out with the little finger straightened and the other fingers relaxed. The palms turn to face upward and arms are lifted with fingers pointing to the sky. Look up to watch the medial aspect of the little fingers and then watch their dorsal aspect with the hands intorted; and look down to perceive internally the Taiyang Meridians (from the Hand-Taiyang Meridian to the Foot-Taiyang Meridian) . Both hands descend slowly to the Dazhui (Du 14), and the hands arrive at the paraspinal musculature on route of the lateral aspects of the neck, the medial side of acromion and through the axilla. Along the Urinary Bladder Meridian, the hands descend to Zhiyin (B 67) with the body bent and the little fingers converged with the little toes. Toes tap the ground 3 times and the kidney qi is elevated 3 times at the same time. Internal perception stresses on the Shaoyin Meridians (from the Foot-Shaoyin up to the Hand-Shaoyin), conducting the qi to flow from Yongquan (K 1) up to the chest where it connects with the Hand-Shaoyin Meridians, thus the second cycle is formed. The same procedure of conducting qi is repeated 3 to 9 times, and then the qi goes to the third cycle.
Cycle 3
Pericardium Meridian -----------Sanjiao Meridian
of Hand-Jueyin of Hand-Shaoyang
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Liver Meridian ------------ Gallbladder Meridian
of Foot-Jueyin of Foot-Taiyan
Performance: The qi is conducted from the center of the sole to ascend simultaneously and the body straightens up. The qi arrives at the perineum where it enters the spinal column. Traveling upward, it penetrates the diaphragm to connect with the pericardium. From the chest, it runs to the hands along the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin. At this time, arms spread out from one body-inch lateral to the nipple with the middle fingers straightened and other fingers relaxed. Palms start to turn to face upward and the arms go up with fingers pointing to the sky. Look up to watch the middle fingers first and after the hand is intorted to watch the dorsal aspect of the fourth finger; look down to perceive internally the Shaoyin Meridians (Hand-Shaoyin first, then the Foot-Shaoyin). Both hands descend to Dazhui (Du 14), then through the lateral aspects of the neck, they arrive at the outer canthus, then go down to the lateral chest and abdomen. Bending over, the fourth finger meets with the fourth toe. The toes tap the ground for 3 times and the kidney qi is lifted for 3 times as well. The internal perception is stressed upon the Jueyin Meridians from the foot one up to the hand one. The flow of qi is conducted up to the chest and connects with the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin. Thus. the third cycle is formed. The qi flows in this cycle for 3 to 9 times, and enters the first cycle again, or finish the exercise, or to continue with the small cycle.
Part II: small qi cycle
The circulation proceeds between the Ren and Du Meridians.
Stand in quietness and relaxation, hands piled one on the other are put on the Dantian region. The hands start to go slightly and then press down. The mind follows the motion of hands and leads the flow of qi . The qi descends to the perineum, revolves around the genital organ, and travels up along the Ren Meridian on the ventral median line. subsequently, arms go up slowly, with palms facing each other. Fingers are parted pointing to the sky. After that, palms turn to face downwards. Look up to watch Laogong (P 8), then look down to lead the qi with the mind, both hands descend to conduct the qi along the Du Meridian on the posterior median line on the head and nape down to the dorsal median line through the axilla. The qi arrives at the perineum from where it ascends back to Dantian (lower abdomen) . Simultaneously, both hands move back to the Dantian region, too. The concentration of mind stresses on Dantian for a moment and then shifts to Yongquan (K l) . Toes tap the ground 3 times and the kidney qi is elevated for 3 times. The flow of qi gets through the Ren and Du Meridians, ascending in the yin meridian and descending in the yang. The conduction of qi is repeated for 6 times usually, or can be also repeated for 3 to 9 times.
The same procedure of conducting qi can be repeated from the Du Meridian to Ren Meridian, ascending in the yang meridian and descending in the yin, so the direction of qi flow is just opposite to the former one.
The ending of the exercise: The kidney qi is elevated for 3 times, then breathe in once, raise the heel, and fall back the heel slowly to the ground.
