Open-Close & the Dan Tien Breathing Method

Notes:
The Dan Tien Breathing Method (Dan Tien Breathing Chi Kung) strengthens the internal support of the body. Working this method brings the breath deeper and lower in the abdomen, thereby increasing relaxation.

The deep stabilizers such as Multifidus (behind the spine closest to vertebrae), are a muscular corset to the spine which strengthen it and prevent back pain,

Open-Close is a powerful Qigong exercise, done whenever the direction in TCA is changed. Fingers to the sky.
Use it to focus and relax your mind. Work with resistance.
* Inhale - Expansion - the diaphragm expands downward, making the abdomen expand.
Open (Shoulder-width) - Pull out against resistance. Pull band apart.
Imagine a magnetic force stopping you from opening.
Visualize an energy field between hands and chest, or imagine that there is a ball in between your hands and chest ensuring that there is space there.

* Exhale - the diaphragm rises up to deflate the lungs.
Close (Head-width) - Push in against resistance - reversing the magnetic force.
You can sink when you Exhale/Close.
Use the exhale to loosen your joints (song), and sink your qi (chen).

Do Open Close 3 times.
1 -> Shape - build the mechanics
2 -> Magnetic Force - intention with magnet
3 -> Dan Tien Breathing
Notes from Paul Lam video on Dan Tien: What is the Dan Tien?

Dan = essence; best of the best; best of the medicine
Golden Dan = best Chinese medicine
Tien = rice paddy, where rice (chi) grows. A fertile bed.
Center of body as commander that coordinates.

Point Lao Gong (Gung) - Pericardium 8 (P-8)
Palace of Toil/Weariness/Labor or Lesser Palace.
Center of energy in the enter of the palm. P8 is one of the most powerful points on the body. P8 is a center of energy / Chi or energy station that controls the upper limb. It has a role in calming the sympathetic nervous system and helping with stress release.

When two chi points - 2 centers of energy - face each other - they communicate and grow internal energy & power. Using Lao Gung gives you more chi bang for your buck. (Ralph Dehner)

Healing/Medical - Chi flow heart and lungs. Medical qigong practitioners use this point as a means of connecting to another person’s energy channels = meridian

In qigong practice, P8 is considered a mirroring point to Yongquan K1 (Kidney-1) which is located on the soles of the feet. It is common practice to breathe through either of these points.

Focus on and build the Qi

The Dan Tien Breathing Method
Practice Open-Close with Dan Tien Breathing. The Dan Tien Breathing Method can also be used with every movement in the form. It is belly breathing + pelvic floor. Pelvic floor automatically works the other muscles.

Squeeze ball

Inhale - pelvic floor lowers and softens
Exhale - allow pelvic floor to lift

Org
Kegel good for incontinency
Saddle lift up, lower down ?
Open bellows ? Close bellows

Muscles activated through imagery, colors.

Need to clarify:
Jing is stored in lower Dan Tien. Stores most chi.
Chi is stored in middle Dan Tien. Shen

Palms face each other - keep energy to self / hold it in.
lift lower abs in and up / lift pelvic floor.
?Move upper abdomen as little as possible when you contract lower abdomen.