Heart Qigong

By Grandmaster Shou-Yu Liang and Master Wen-Ching Wu

Heart Qigong Meridians
Heart Qigong - Related Meridians and Pressure Points

Heart Qigong
Heart Qigong - Movements

According to TCM, the heart not only controls blood circulation, but it also controls mental activities, including consciousness and thought. Dysfunctions of the heart can cause heart diseases such as insomnia, amnesia, impairment of consciousness, and psychosis. Also, the heart controls the fire, and the kidneys control the water. Under normal conditions, the fire of the heart comes down to warm the kidneys, and the water of the kidneys rises to cool the heart. If an imbalance occurs, serious fire symptoms of the heart such as fidgeting, palpitation, and insomnia can occur.

"The heart has its outward manifestation in one's complexion." The tongue is the specific opening of the heart. TCM doctors can tell the condition of a patient's heart by the color of their tongues. A dark purple tongue indicates blood stasis of the heart, a pale white tongue indicates a blood deficiency of the heart, and an ulcer on the tongue indicates excessive fire of the heart.

Heart Qigong practice can increase the efficiency of the oxygen supply from your heart, increase the adaptability of your heart's pumping requirements, and reduce or slow down the illnesses associated with your heart. The heart corresponds to the element of Fire and the season of Summer. In the summer months, your heart fire may rise and may manifest as excessive swallowing, sores in your mouth, sores on your tongue, and you may become upset easily. These symptoms are generally due to the scorching heat of the summer. If your heart contains excess fire, the symptoms may be a dry throat, thirst, swelling of the chest and rib cage, yellow urine, pangs in the heart region, and pain in the arm pits. If your heart is deficient in vital-qi, the symptoms may be heart palpitation, insomnia, night sweats, neurasthenia, and feeling panicky.

Part 1. Ke Sound To Ease the Heart Fire

The traditional Ke Sound Qigong is capable of balancing heart fire. It is especially effective in treating and healing heart diseases.

Movement and Intention:

Step 1. Use Drawing 1-12 as a reference. Inhale naturally and hold your breath. Raise both arms up from your sides, palms face down. Relax your shoulders; keep your wrists and elbows, naturally bent and relaxed (Figure 1-36).

When your arms are even with your shoulders, rotate your palms until they are facing in and circle them towards your chest. Then rotate your palms until the fingers of both hands are pointing at each other, without touching, and palms face down (Figure 1-37).

While holding your breath, use your mind to lead qi up from your yinbai point on the Spleen Channel, passing through your shangqiu, your sanyinjiao, and your yinlingquan points. Then lead the qi up the inside of your thighs and into your abdomen. Continue up into your Heart Channel.

Step 2. Exhale and vocalize the sound Ke, with your mouth half open, tongue touching the bottom of your mouth, and exerting a slight pressure with your jaw. At the same time, lower both palms down until your abdomen level. Hold up your anus area and draw your abdomen in.

During exhalation, lead qi from your Heart Channel through your shaohai point, to your shenmen point, and out through your shaochong point at the tip of your little finger. Exhale out all the impurities in your Heart Channel.

Repeat Steps 1 and 2, 6 times. This completes a set. Do three sets.

Part 2. Strengthening the Lungs Qigong

Refer to Lung Qigong.

Part 3. Lying Down and Waking Qigong

Refer to Lying Down and Walking Qigong.