🌿 How to Breathe Well in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) 🌿
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), breathing is not just about oxygen. It’s about moving Qi — the vital energy that sustains life, clarity, and emotional balance. Good breathing nourishes the lungs, calms the mind, strengthens the immune system, and supports the organs.
So, how do you breathe well according to this ancient wisdom?
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🫁 1. Breathe Through the Nose, Not the Mouth
In TCM, nasal breathing is essential.
Why?
– The nose filters, warms, and humidifies the air
– It connects directly to the Lung meridian
– It promotes deeper, slower breathing, which nourishes Qi
Mouth breathing, on the other hand, is seen as dispersing vital energy and weakening the lungs.
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🌬️ 2. Deepen the Breath into the Lower Abdomen (Dan Tian)
The Lower Dan Tian, just below the navel, is the energetic center of the body.
Breathing into this area anchors the Qi, promotes relaxation, and strengthens the organs.
How to do it:
– Place one hand on your belly
– Inhale slowly through your nose
– Feel your belly gently expand (not your chest)
– Exhale softly through your mouth or nose
– Let your belly fall naturally
This belly breathing (also called “embryonic breathing”) is at the heart of Qigong, Taichi, and meditative practices in TCM.
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💨 3. Slow, Rhythmic, and Mindful
According to TCM, the breath should be:
✅ Silent
✅ Unforced
✅ Even and slow
Try counting: inhale for 4, exhale for 6. The longer exhalation helps release tension and regulate emotions.
Mindful breathing is a way to reconnect the body and spirit, especially when you feel anxious, tired, or disconnected.
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✨ 4. Synchronize Breath with Movement or Touch
In many healing techniques (acupressure, massage, Qigong), the breath guides the flow of energy.
– Inhale when you open/stretch
– Exhale when you press/release
This supports Qi circulation through the meridians and enhances the therapeutic effect of bodywork or self-massage.
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🧘♀️ Final Thought:
“The lungs are the master of Qi.”
Learning to breathe well is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support your health, your energy, and your inner balance — the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
When beauty meets nature*
With love
Marine Lefevre
