Everyday Health Practices with John Platt

Everyday Health Practices with John Platt. In this short video, John shares the benefits of reverse abdominal breathing.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), practitioners sometimes refer to reverse abdominal breathing as “Daoist reverse breathing” or “Daoist breathing.”

In TCM, the concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”) plays a central role. Qi is a vital energy that flows through the body’s meridians, and maintaining a balanced flow of Qi is crucial for health and well-being. Reverse abdominal breathing in TCM influences the flow of Qi in to promote health and vitality.

In reverse abdominal breathing in TCM:

1. Inhalation: The abdomen is drawn inward or contracted during inhalation. You will draw Qi into the body and stimulate the flow of energy along the meridians.
2. Exhalation: The abdomen expands or relaxes during exhalation. This part of the breath releases stagnant or excess Qi, promoting a smooth flow of energy.

Learn more about qigong here. Explore more breathing techniques used in TCM and qigong here.