The Change of Cerebral Functions during Bi Xi Breathing as Observed by Optical Topography

Diao Xi (consciously regulating the breathing pattern) is an important basic step in Qigong training. Bi Xi breathing exercise is one of many methods of Qigong training. Our prior experiment identified significant rises in the temperature of hands and feet in the subjects when practicing the Bi Xi breathing exercises. This increase showed that blood circulation had improved and led to a state of deep relaxation based on the changes of EEG and pulse. In this study, we used optical topography (OT), to measure various brain functions. This device measures the cerebral activity state caused by a change in the quantity of blood in the cerebral cortex when the Qigong master is practicing Bi Xi breathing exercise. It showed an increase in the quantity of blood in the frontal lobes and a decrease in the parietal lobes during and after the Bi Xi breathing exercise. We can compare the results of this experiment to those found in our prior experiment to determine the relationship of the increase of alpha and theta waves activities and the increased quantity of blood in the frontal lobes when doing Bi Xi breathing exercise. The possibility of cerebrum development is also discussed.