Anchoring the Breath - Part 2

This is the 40-minute follow along video of the 'Anchoring the Breath' exercise. This is a practice that uses guided mental attention to develop correct abdominal breathing. It helps to settle the breath, relax the mind and sink the Qi.
It is the preliminary seated practice within the Lotus Nei Gong School and our suggested foundation practice for all practitioners of Qigong, Neigong and other internal arts.
We suggest that you watch part 1 first which is the short introduction to the practice: • Anchoring the Breath -...
For Online Tuition: www.damomitchell.com
The Main School: www.lotusneigong.com

[@perk97]

Thank you for this, for whatever reason I felt much more relaxed than during any other standard breathing exercises

[@richierich291266]

0:18 Begin the practice: allow body to settle 4:41 Listen to the nostrils 7:41 Listen to the space behind the nose - full, unwavering attention 10:41 Connect the nostrils with the space behind the nose 13:41 Listen to the windpipe/everything inside the neck 16:41 Connect the nostrils, space behind the nose and windpipe 19:41 Listen to the chest cavity/everything inside the ribcage 22:41 Connect the nostrils, space behind the nose, windpipe and chest cavity 25:41 Listen to the diaphragm 28:41 Connect the nostrils, space behind the nose, windpipe, chest cavity and diaphragm 31:41 Listen to the abdominal cavity 34:41 Connect the nostrils, space behind the nose, windpipe, chest cavity, diaphragm and abdominal cavity 37:41 Conclude the practice: stretching

[@0rionskate]

41,41,41,41 haha

[@Markus_Pis]

Although this practice is called "Anchoring the Breath", it contains so many details that we can call it a compendium of meditative practices. Invaluable, thank you for sharing it.

[@jesselandman1707]

Tried this practice for the first time, as I’m getting into Qigong, Taoist philosophy and internal alchemy. And this practice was incredibly relaxing, after the first few minutes, I entered a state of deep relaxation by just being aware my whole state of being shifted. And after a while I nodded and dozen off to a state between wakefulness and sleep. I believe I fell asleep a few times as well.

[@user-lz2jz1mf2x]

An absolute game changer practice for me, thank you for sharing it freely, emphasizing over and over again on its importance.

[@zerocrutch]

I just finished up your book, A comprehensive guide to Daoist Nei Gong, and wanted to say thanks. It illuminated so many other books I’ve read on these arts and answered a lot of questions. 🙏

[@TalkingMonkey1]

Thank you. As I went through the first step, I experienced a wow 'attentional awareness' that blossomed with implications. That 'zone/volume' of attention expanded with each step, each of which added more 'Wow' of blossoming implications - in addition to some symptoms of release. The terms 'attention' and 'listen' are, for me, keys of entry. All in all, quite nifty. Thank you again.

[@rachelo2211]

Thank you so much for this. The time spent on each part of the respiratory system was just right for me and ways you coach to 'notice' helped me to be aware of my tendency to direct and return to just being aware, I am so pleased with myself that I could embody my whole respiratory system allowing myself to just breath, I now know why you use the word anchoring 🙏

[@tidnusuhtoson9639]

Thank you for taking the struggle out of breathing easy and allowing my eyelids to be gently closed.

[@LotusNeiGong]

:)

[@markboudreau1410]

I think it all begins here for me tonight. Thank you!🙏

[@fapesterlingsilver521]

This Just humbles so much. Had numerous self reflective Insights in this Practice throught Thinking. But Well this is Not what this Practice should be.. Takes me Back to the foundations and Not some advanced Meditation , Shows me how much Iam still anchored in the Head Thank you Damo!

[@C_Masi]

This is the foundational practice that I think is so often underemphasized. Thank you so much for this video

[@jimicwhite]

Brilliant! Helped me with my on going anxiety/ panic issues. I'll practice this often 🙏

[@JeanFrumen]

Very calming, great practise. Thank you very much, I really enjoy doing it. 🙏🏼

[@theawakeningenergy]

Thank you for this, wow, I have not had so many spontaneous Kriya movements in a long time. (My practices are always a little different as I am a channel for shakitpat). This practice created so much prana or Qi. 🙏

[@LotusNeiGong]

:)

[@HKTeacup]

A beautifully-led practice, and very valuable - thank you Damo.

[@boomchaka7762]

Perfectly extra-ordinary. Thank you!

[@TheGatewayProductions]

Fantastic upload! Relaxation is the key to feeling better. Well done!

[@drieskeppens1569]

What helps me doing this is excercicse are these things: Listening is recieving (not poking around) Let your mind be drawn to the places(in the highlighted area) that need attention first. Listen with the whole body to the highlighted area. It allows the interconnectedness between the Areas to light up or become active. I don't know if you still find this correct Damo😅?

[@Jacqueline.Soraya]

Thank you 🙏🏽 amazing practice 🫁❤

[@dillonarreo2232]

Thanks Dano, very nice work

[@maggiegoleniak3183]

I love this 🥰 thank you 🙏

[@user-uu1cd2tp1v]

Thank you Damo.

[@Inconceivable-Montoya]

Thanks for this. Very useful.

[@spiritualphysics]

🙏🏼😇🙏🏾 👊🏾😎👍🏼 good stuff. thanks for sharing

[@davidwearley7843]

Thank you so much!

[@markboudreau1410]

Thank you!🙏 RI USA

[@flabadash]

Cheers Damo.

[@pudpudp]

Thank you🙏

[@adeebmunim4364]

Thank you, Damo, for the good practice .. I found the (guided mental attention) very useful

[@titanhealth197]

Do we have to build our lower Dan-tian bucket first before doing this exercise? Or this exercise is also a part of "building the lower-dantian" process?

[@VictoriaHaffer]

Aumazing 🙌

[@MerlvdMarkt]

Thank you Damo. What would you say the frequency of repetition is for an excercise like this? Is it something you do on a weekly basis?

[@LotusNeiGong]

It depends on what stage your breath and mind are in I suppose :) I get students to do it very regularly at first (few times a week) until they start to become comfortable with it and then they do shorter versions of the practice that only last a few minutes so that it can be used to settle into any seated practice session.

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

🙏

[@muramasa2643]

Amituofo. Honestly, I struggled hard. But, that is why it's called practice I guess. Best wishes everyone

[@muramasa2643]

2 years later, I've returned to try again. I was able to follow the entire exercise this time. Thank you for sharing.

[@perk97]

Congratulations on your hard work

[@dabblerdeluxe775]

from my observation what appears to happen is that the mind releases its attachments which then releases the center of awareness from the head to be mobile. to me it felt like mini blackouts releasing string-like energy then I felt myself falling down inside myself. I gathered my awareness in my lower stomach but I assume i could of put it anywhere, not like focusing at something with the mind but more like energy-awareness if that makes sense. Then when focusing in the stomach area it feels like the energy is then injected back into the system and shoots upwards, for me it kept poping,cracking my jaw but ultimately it gathered at the forehead area. I been doing this on and off for a decade now but getting back into it now.

[@drieskeppens1569]

Hey Damo Maybe you could do a video on how to uncloud or purify your attention. It's sometimes hard to see and let go of the colouring of the mind, tensioning up the awareness. (hard to explain myself)The layers of fear and judgement that can cloud the awareness, how to wipe that lens clean.

[@LotusNeiGong]

Sure, I have made a note of your request :)

[@drieskeppens1569]

@@LotusNeiGong Nice 😌

[@kenbaggs2075]

Good one Damo, do you have any sitting meditation instructions on how to really produce a surge in 'chi/qi' into the abdominal area?

[@whatever6590]

Just watch in video playlist

[@nrgshaman77]

His online school at DamoMitchell.com has years of instruction on these arts. Look up the microcosmic orbit series in the library after opening the body with stretching techniques and doing the NeiGong practices for several months.

[@sxfxcn0993]

Hi is there a standing version of this exercise? I have some heavily sedentary days due to studies, and a standing version of this would be invaluable at those times!

[@LotusNeiGong]

The same can be done standing :)

[@Tetsukito]

Please, subtitles for this, thanks!

[@KelGhu]

Doing this exercise gives me diarrhea. Am I doing something wrong? Any advice? Thank you for the video and your guidance.

[@domche5208]

Hey Damo . Thanks for this. I just did it .I have recently started seated practice and I keep noticing my back slouching . So I start upright and then suddenly after a while I notice I am slouched over . Any tips ?

[@dumsaint]

Be mindful. That just means to remember, when you observe the slouch, to correct yourself. It'll take a bit of time but eventually you will stop slouching. Just don't pressure yourself. Posture is important. But so is the mind's posture in how it reacts to poor bodily alignment. They will correct. If you observe without aggravation and simply are mindful (remembering to keep your mind on your focus) and adjust then that is what should be done. It helped me. It should help you. Be mindful.

[@lunia7868]

Thank you a lot for this video! I have a question, can I use this exercise to develop with time the five qualities of breath?

[@LotusNeiGong]

Indeed :)

[@lunia7868]

@@LotusNeiGong Thank you a lot, I want to share that the practice answered me because after the exercise, I felt my abdomen much more tangible and " full ". It's so amazing how the act of just observing can shape the body and it's tissues, awareness is indeed incredible. But after some hours I lost the sensation on my abdomen, I suppose it's because my emotional mind and thoughts began to rise again for the power of habits and they drain a lot of energy, could be that? It's possible to mantain the abdominal pressure with time just purely with a costant practice of the abdominal breathing or there is also the need of regulating the mind? I have an endless curiosity, this way it's amazing

[@C_Masi]

5 years ago I did some yogic practice and some self enquiries and ended up with energy that blasted upward with alot of force into the head. Ever since i have had head pressure in the sinus region/palate that moves around alot, sometimes it moves to the throat. I also suffer from ongoing insomnia ever since. When it started I used to get panic attacks also but the anxiety has been gone for a few years now. I have managed to clear it a few times with meditation but it seems to return. Am I correct in feeling that this exercise in the video might be useful since it will ultimately sink the qi? Are there any other things that would be worth trying? I really need help but cannot find anyone who can help me fix it. I have have been to many doctors, teachers, and healers but none have been able to help me much.

[@rachelo2211]

If it helps..In my Shiatsu studies the mind moves the ki

[@nrgshaman77]

Sign up with his online school and much more will be revealed for you. In the meantime, get an acupuncturist to assist you if possible.

[@alchemycatalyst1446]

Dear Cole, as far as I understand what happened is that you have opened your back channel and the energy now rises to your head. The problem is that your front channel and the lower Dan Tian are not working which creates the accumulation of energy in your head instead of circulation of energy, which would be the normal state. What you can do is to work on opening the front channel and the abdomen. This breathing exercise, which Damo shows here is great for lowering the energy. You can follow the same principle of soft attention, passing the front channel, inviting the energy to go down trough it, "cooling" it in a tender way (as in the head it is usually "warm"). Finally absorb the energy flowing down in the abdomen. See the first part of this video again and the Microcosmic Orbit. The last creates circulation route for the energy, unblocks and balances. The lower Dan Tian working and domination of the Microcosmic orbit are a kind of safety devices for the internal work, preventing the energy to accumulate and stack on places it should not.

[@TruePhil]

From p.1 Not be forced. Breath low not high. Should always be in the state. Attention to lower not intention.

[@TruePhil]

Nostril, sinus, airway neck, chest, diaphragm, belly?

[@TruePhil]

Diaphragm to base of pelvis, abdominal cavity whole, not try to focus on Dan tien.

[@9EtherSupremeFist]

Can one do this exercise while lying down in bed?

[@brianschultz7320]

Yes, I don’t see why not.

[@TalkingMonkey1]

It is similar to, or same as Sung/Song breathing, which can be done lying down. However, later practices are best done standing or seated, so it's wise to practice this one seated so you can become comfortable in the later practices.

[@bigpoundermorebutter]

If only my legs would stay awake 😄

[@avigull]

Why does this practice make me so tense? I feel as though I'm not getting enough air and this creates much discomfort in the mind. Maybe it's the struggle of letting go of control?

[@LotusNeiGong]

Check out the three videos on hidden intention in Qigong (parts 1-3) for an answer on this :)