- Posted 9/24/09
BA GUA ZHANG JIN YE HUAN DAN TIAN AN MO GONG FU
八 卦掌金 液 還 丹 按 摩 功夫
The Golden Fluid Returning to Dantian Massage Skill is one version of a exercise traditionally used by practitioners of Ba Gua and Xing Yi to cultivate qi in the Dantian and preserve health and vitality. Practiced daily it provides an excellent balance to the standing and moving forms. This method of gong fu is similar to versions of the Tao Yin guiding/leading or guiding/pulling) or Yang Shen (nourishing life) techniques. These methods all involve self massage, breathing and movement to regulate the meridians and harmonize the functioning of the internal organs thereby preventing disease.
In Daoist practices the saliva is referred to as the “golden fluid” or “jade dew.” When qi in the body ascends from the Dantian to the vertex and then descends from the vertex to the mouth, the saliva is transformed into a dew or essence that is returned to the Dantian by swallowing it. Swallowing Saliva makes turbid qi descend so clear yang qi can rise. Further, by returning this fluid back to the Dantian and the kidneys, it can be transformed into essence. This transformation is said to promote health and longevity.
The Exercise
Generally this gong fu is performed in the morning upon arising.
1. Sit Straight and Concentrate the Mind
- Sit with the legs crossed (or in a chair with the back straight and thighs parallel to the floor) in tranquil relaxation.
- Slightly close the eyes and place the hands on the knees (or below the navel one hand nestled within the other) palms up.
- Touch the upper palate with the tongue. The upper body is similar to the postures in the Eight Diagram Palm (Ba Gua Zhang).
- Concentrate the mind and regulate respiration naturally for nine breaths.
- Inhaling and exhaling should be gentle and silent. Inhalation and exhalation are through the nose.
- As you inhale, let the qi/breath fall or sink into the Dantian (the area below the navel) and as you continue to inhale it rises up naturally toward the vertex. As you exhale the qi/breathe sinks back down below the navel.
- A warm sensation may appear in the lower abdomen.
- After nine breaths rinse the mouth lightly with saliva and swallow it with the neck straight imagining that it passes down Ren Mo (the meridian running down the front midline of the body) to the Dantian. In the Dantian, imagine the saliva vaporizes (like water hitting a fire) into a mist which fills the Dantian.
2. Knead the Ears
- Knead the left ear upwards with the right hand several times and then the right ear upward with the left.
- Acu-points in the ears connect with the whole body and the ear is dominated by the kidney. By massaging the ears the Kidney qi and the whole body are strengthened.
3. Press the Eyes with Warm Hands
- Rub two hands slightly until a warm sensation appears.
- Press the eyes with the Lao Gong (palm center) point of the palm several times.
- The eyes link to the liver so this exercise brightens the eyes and regulates liver qi.
4. Rub the Nose
- Rub the sides of the nasal bridge up and down with the thenar eminence of the palms until a warm sensation is felt inside and outside.
- The nose is linked to the lung This exercise regulates the lung qi and is especially effective for preventing the common cold and nasal obstruction.
5. Wash the Face & Cultivate the Heavenly Palace, Comb the Hair with the Fingers
- Tianxin, the “heavenly center” is at the center of the forehead.
- Wash the face downward and upward nine times with the palms with attention on pressing the face and forehead.
- Comb the hair from the forehead to the occiput, the Yintang acupoint (“3rd eye’) and Baihui (the vertex) a minimum of nine times.
- This exercise regulates the meridians of the head and face and helps cultivate radiant face and beautiful hair.
6. Knock the Teeth 36 times, Clench the Fists, Concentrate the Mind and Swallow the Saliva three times
- Repeat the first movement, “sit straight and concentrate the mind.” Concentrate the mind and regulate respiration naturally for three breaths.
- Clench the fists lightly with the thumb inside the four fingers, knock the teeth lightly to hear the sound 36 times, till there is a mouthful of saliva and swallow it down.
- Swallow it with the neck straight imagining that it passes down Ren Mo (the meridian running down the front midline of the body) to the Dantian. In the Dantian imagine the saliva vaporizes (like water hitting a fire) into a mist which fills the Dantian.
- This exercise nourishes body fluid and strengthens the bones and teeth
7. Regulate Respiration for Nine Breaths While Embracing Kun Lun with Two Hands
- Kun Lun means head.
- Embrace the head with two hands; press Bai Hui (the vertex an acu-point midway between the tips of the two ears) with the middle fingers while counting nine breaths.
- Breathing is the same as in the first movement: “sit straight and concentrate the mind.”
8. Strike the Heavenly Drum and Listen to the Sound 24 Times
- Cover the two ears with the palms. Press the forefinger with the middle finger to flick the forefinger against the base of skull (the “jade pillow”) in the occipital region 24 times, hearing the drum sound.
- Before removing the hands listen to the silence that follows the drumming for several moments
- This exercise wakes the brain, clams the mind and helps to open the “jade pillow” so that qi and blood can freely nourish the brain.
9. Shake the Heavenly Pillar Slightly, and Stir Fluid with the Tongue
- Turn the head lightly to the left and right sides, with the two hands lightly on the knees.
- After turning the head, turn the tongue in the mouth, up and down in order to stimulate the secretion of saliva. When saliva has accumulated swallow it.
- Swallow it with the neck straight imagining that it passes down Ren Mo (the meridian running down the front midline of the body) to the Dantian. In the Dantian, imagine the saliva vaporizes (like water hitting a fire) into a mist which fills the Dantian.
10. Hold the Breath and Chafe the Hands, Exhale and Knead the Back
- Inhale through the nose and hold the breath while chafing the hands.
- Exhale through the nose and concentrate the mind on the Dantian.
- Then knead the region of the lower back and Shenshu (kidney shu points) with the warm palms. Then make fists and put the hands on the knees.
11. Regulate Respiration for Nine Breaths Focusing on Dantian
- This is essentially the same as the first exercise: “sit straight and concentrate the mind.” Focus on feeling the warm sensation that penetrates Dantian upon exhalation. If you cannot feel it, imagine you that you feel it.
12. Shake the Two Shoulders and Regulate the Du Channel
- Bend the head and shake the shoulders 36 times while regulating respiration naturally.
- In inhalation imagine that the qi/breath comes from the Dantian area via the perineum and passes up the back to Bai Hui (Du 20 acu-point).
13. Extend the Two Legs, bend the Head and Pull the Feet
- Extend the legs flat and flex the ankles back slightly
- Stretch forward bending at the hips while the hands reach forward to knead the Yongquan acu-point (center of ball of foot) 36 times.
14. Count Nine Breaths, Wait for Heavenly Water, Rinse the Mouth and Swallow Saliva Again.
- Return to the starting seated position to “sit straight and concentrate the mind” with natural respiration (the first exercise). Count nine breaths.
- Gather the saliva. Rinse the mouth so that it is full of saliva and swallow it with the neck straight imagining that it passes down Ren Mo to the Dantian. In the Dantian, imagine the saliva vaporizes (like water hitting a fire) into a mist which fills the Dantian.
- Continue to regulate respiration for another minute. This is the ending posture.
Mnemonic for the Eight Diagram Palm Golden Fluid Returning to Dantian Massage Skill
Sit straight and concentrate the mind, and knead the ears with the hands,
Press two eyes with warm hands, to rub the nose.
Wash the face and cultivate the heavenly palace, to comb hair with fingers,
Knock the teeth 36 times, clench the fists, concentrate the mind and swallow the saliva three times.
Regulate respiration for nine breaths while embracing Kun Lun with two hands,
Strike the heavenly drum and listen to the sound 24 times.
Shake the heavenly pillar slightly, and stir fluid with the tongue,
Hold the breath and chafe the hands, exhale and knead the back.
Regulate respiration for nine breaths focusing on dantian,
Shake two shoulders 36 times each and regulate respiration with attention on the Du Meridian
Extend two legs to bend the head and pull the feet,
Count nine breaths, wait for heavenly water, to rinse the mouth and swallow saliva again.
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