NeiKungEightPrinciples
From Simreal
Nei Kung Eight Principles
- Head suspended - Also, lips should touch, teeth should be together gently. This position permits the body to remain erect with a minimum of energy, and permits the internal organs to drop down in a position of minimal stress. The entire body should in a relaxed, neutral posture; loose does not mean limp, it is more as in the movement of a snake, the dynamic known as "jou."
- Pelvis tucked, toes in, knees out - Rotate the pelvis forward, eliminating the hollow in the lower back, as if sitting on a stool while keeping your back straight. This facilitates a solid root, letting the body sink into a stable position. This position also improves circulation and reduces stress on the lower spine. These three elements assist with diaphragmatic breathing.
- Chest concave - This causes a downward flow of chi from the front of chest to the tan tien, the major energy reservoir of the body, located about two inches below the navel. If you achieve deep relaxation coupled with tucking in and sinking down, this condition will induce a flow of chi up from the lower back to the top of the head, and will generate a current, called the Large Orbit: from as low as the coccyx to the top of the head and down the face and chest back to the tan tien. This is the "treasure," which many discuss but few achieve.
- Body rounded - The body assumes a spherical form, not angular or stiff-limbed. Roundness in chest, arms, and hands builds the strongest connection among these elements. Roundedness of the lower body is related to tucked-in-pelvis, toes-in, knees-out, and helps improve circulation and physical stability.
- Shoulders and elbow lowered - This also helps ensure roundedness, relaxation, helping the entire body to sink down, and helping stabilize stance.
- Waist loose - The waist should twist freely, independently, with the legs solidly rooted. Rhinoceros Gazes At Moon helps develop this flexibility.
- Qua loose - This area should be loose; this is the joint connecting the thigh bone and pelvic bone. With age, this tends to become stiffer. Hitting the Tiger in particular is good for this.
- Deep breathing - This involves a small flow of air drawn in through nose by deeply extending the diaphragm in a smooth, uninterrupted breath for a longer duration than normal breathing: small, deep, smooth, long. (A few exercises call for a more rapid breathing, such as advanced Double Dragons Leap From Sea.)
