On Breathing in Taiji Quan

I have been fortunate over the years to have partaken in Taiji Quan instructions with many renowned Taiji masters. I regard Grandmaster William C. C. Chen (陳至誠, 1933 – ), and Grandmaster Tao Pingxiang (陶炳祥, 1919-2006), to whom I was introduced by William Chen, as two of my most important teachers.

Both William Chen and Tao Pingxiang were senior disciples of Professor Zheng Manqing (郑曼青, 1902-1975). Nonetheless, their style of teaching differed, as did their approach to breathing.

Grandmaster Chen emphasized the coordination of breathing with every movement: Inhalation during the expansion and raising of the arms, and exhalation in withdrawing or lowering of the arms.

Grandmaster Tao emphasized looseness of the form and natural breathing. He noted that this was what Zheng Manqing proposed in his teachings.

Hu Xi (呼吸)- Breathing Patterns

In Taiji Quan and other Internal Chinese martial arts styles, as well as in Qi Gong practice, we often encounter two breathing methods: Diaphragm or Normal Abdominal Breathing and Reverse Breathing. In both methods, the inhalation is called Xi Qi (吸气) and the exhalation is called Hu Qi (呼气).

Shun Fu Shi Hu Xi (顺腹式呼吸) – Normal Abdominal Breathing, involves the mechanics of lowering the diaphragm upon inhalation, which cause the lower abdomen to expand outward, and raising the diaphragm upon exhalation, which causes the lower abdomen to move inward.

Ni Fu Shi Hu Xi (逆腹式呼吸) – Reverse Breathing involves the mechanics of expanding the chest during inhalation, which causes the abdomen to withdraw inward toward the spine, and lowering the abdomen during exhalation, which causes it to expand downward and outward.

Which method is best for Taiji Quan practice?

Since proponents of each method assert that their method is best, I will focus on what I learned from my teachers and then explain my own evolution regarding breathing in Taiji Quan.

Grandmaster Chen told me long ago when I asked about breathing that I should always maintain a feeling of fulness in the Dantian (丹田) region. Grandmaster Tao would not go beyond stating that breathing should be natural, and he would often say, “Ask William.”

Note: Since Grandmaster Chen introduced me to Grandmaster Tao, the latter would often tell me to “ask William” when there might have been differences in viewpoints. This is a highly admirable quality that is rare in the world of martial arts.

Zheng Manqing on Breathing

Since both Grandmaster Chen and Grandmaster Tao were disciples of Professor Zheng Manqing, I have researched his views regarding breathing in Taiji Quan.

In his book, New Method of T’ai Chi Ch’uan Self-Cultivation, Professor Zheng outlines in his Si Zi Jue (四字訣) – Four Character Formula, that breathing should be Xi (細) – Fine, Zhang (長) – Long, Jing (靜) – Quiet, and Man (慢) – Slow. He emphasized that breathing should not be forced but should be an organic byproduct of physical and mental relaxation. These thoughts are much as his disciple, Tao Pingxiang, stressed.

Professor Zheng also cautioned that the artificial synchronization of breathing with movement leads to tension and the stagnation of Qi (氣).

Ziran Hu Xi (自然呼吸) – Natural Breathing

What Tao Pingxiang, and his teacher, Zheng Manqing, emphasized is what is referred to as Ziran Hu Xi, Natural Breathing. This does not mean mindless breathing; rather it means breathing that is not forced.

Zi (自) means self, oneself, or spontaneously, and Ran (然) means so, thus, or just-as-it-is; in other words, natural.

Conclusion

After many years of reading, researching, and conducting interviews with many teachers, my own practice has given me the answer I had been seeking. When I am deeply focused on the movements, then I am not at all aware of the breathing, other than that I find the breathing to be in harmony with my movement. However, this harmony is spontaneous; it is not contrived or forced.

My conclusion is that breathing should be, in Professor Zheng’s words, Fine, Long, Quiet and Slow. Practice earnestly and you will find your own answer.