Breath is one of the most direct ways to influence how you feel—physically and mentally.
It reflects your current state, and it can also begin to change it.
When the breath is restricted or uneven, the body often follows—tightening, compressing, and losing its natural rhythm.
When the breath becomes slower and more continuous, the body begins to settle. There is more space, more ease, and a gradual return of energy.
In Tai Chi Qigong, breath is not treated as a separate technique. It works together with movement and awareness, helping to regulate the body from the inside.
A simple way to begin
Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Inhale slowly and quietly through your nose, filling the lowest part of your abdomen. Feel your tummy expanding outward like a balloon.
- Exhale slowly and quietly through your nose. Feel your tummy contracting in towards your spine.
In the beginning you may wish to place your centered palms over your belly button to enhance the feeling. Work up to a minimum of 5 – 6 breath cycles per minute. Perform this breath 3 to 4 times daily.
Going further
If you’d like to continue working with the breath in a more guided way, the program “Breath Medicine: Activate the Most Profound Medicine” expands on these same principles.
It introduces a range of breathing practices that build on this foundation—helping you:
It presents a series of guided breathing practices designed to help you:
- slow and deepen the breath
- establish a more even, continuous rhythm
- bring awareness into the body
The approach is simple, but grounded in the same principles found in Tai Chi Qigong practice—where breath, posture, and attention work together.
What to expect
The program includes several complementary techniques, each approached in a simple and accessible way.
The emphasis remains the same:
- gentle
- natural
- unforced
You don’t need prior experience—just a willingness to begin and continue.
Begin
This is a resource I often recommend to students who want to go further with breath practice.
A guided breath program with multiple techniques
(opens in a separate page)
You’ll be taken to a detailed page describing the full program.
The program is available as a streaming video series with lifetime access.