The Microcosmic Orbit

 

The exercise that most typifies Taoist energy cultivation practices is the microcosmic orbit.  This exercise gathers, circulates, refines and stores energy within the body.  The refinement process transforms Chi into Shen which is then available to be used by the higher self or the spirit to operate in the world.

 

There are many variations of the microcosmic orbit exercise.  This naturally leads to the questions…  Which one is correct?  Which one is the most powerful and beneficial?

 

Below are the two variations of the microcosmic orbit exercise which I personally find to be the most powerful.  I stumbled across them myself while experimenting.

 

 

METHOD I

 

1. Inhale slowly and deeply through your mouth using Wu Shi Breathing.  Pull Chi Energy into your body through the soles of your feet.  Move the chi up your legs, up your back, over the top of your head to your third eye, right between your eyebrows.

 

2. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth using Wu Shi Breathing.  Move the Chi Energy down the front of your body to your lower dantien about two inches below your belly button.

 

3. Repeat

 

 

METHOD II

 

1. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose.  Pull chi into your body through your nose and move it down the front of your body to the lower dantien, the subnavel center apporximately two inches below your belly button.  Expand your abdomen as you inhale.

 

2.  Exhale slowly and fully through your nose.  Move the chi down out of your lower dantien, around the bottom of your pelvic floor, up your spine, over the top of your head, down the front of your forehead to your third eye.  Contract your abdomen as you exhale.

 

3. Repeat

 

 

Keep your tongue up!  Lightly touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth as you do the orbit.

 

 

 

 

10-10-2017