Course Content
Welcome
Welcome to "An Introduction to Qi Cultivation: The Fundamentals of Qigong and Internal Alchemy"! In this section, I'll share my personal journey into Qi and introduce you to the lineage from which this wisdom originates. We'll also go over the course structure and what you can expect. Let's embark on this journey of internal alchemy together!
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Qigong Warm Ups
Qigong practice has its own unique forms of warm up, including exercises which focus on joint rotations to improve the flow of energy, and the practice of shaking.
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Posture Notes & Balancing Exercises
This section contains preparatory posture guidance and post-practice balancing tools. The posture notes for standing and seated exercises are designed to improve alignment, balance, and energy flow, and the post-practice balancing tools are designed to ensure that any stored tension that may have occurred during practice is alleviated.
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Enlivening the Organs with Energy
In Taoist practice, the internal organs are regarded as particularly important places to focus Qi, because they are places in the body where key internal processes take place, as well as the place where our emotions are stored.
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Earth and Sky Breathing
The following meditations use the mind to extend the energy body beyond the confines of the physical body. As you do this, you open yourself to a whole palate of feelings that go beyond normal experience.
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Generating the Qi Ball
The Qi ball is a foundational concept in energy work: the idea that we can generate a quantum of energy which then is, and has, a force of its own which we can direct as we will.
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Working with the Qi Ball
Once we have generated the feeling of a Qi ball in the body, we open up a series of practices that, utilising the quantum of energy represented by the Qi ball, serve to further enhance the ability of the body to attract, store and command energy.
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The Microcosmic Orbit
This is a foundational Taoist exercise for health and wellbeing, otherwise called “circulating the light”.
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Working with Qi pressure & “Cooking” Qi
This set of exercises involves compressing and refining energy within the lower tan tien, transforming it into a more potent and concentrated form for enhanced vitality, resilience, and internal power.
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Inner Alchemy
By working with light, breath, and focused intention, we engage in the ancient art of inner transformation, taking a step closer toward our highest potential as beings of energy and consciousness.
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Absorbing Qi from Nature
External Qi absorption techniques harness the abundant energy from nature allowing practitioners to replenish, refine, and harmonise their internal Qi for greater vitality and balance.
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“Empty Force”
In this Section, we begin the sacred work of returning to ourselves — drawing our awareness inward, listening to the subtle movements within, and learning to gather and circulate our innate energy.
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Meridian Slapping
I call this practice "Better Than a Coffee", because it provides a full-body energetic stimulation, but without any side effects!
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Seeing the Qi
It is also possible to see the Qi visually!
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An Introduction to Qi Cultivation: The Fundamentals of Qigong and Internal Alchemy
About Lesson

Packing Process Breathing: Directing Qi Pressure into the Organs and Fascia

 

Packing Process Breathing is an advanced Qi pressure technique designed to direct and compress energy into specific areas of the body, including the organs, fascia, and deep tissues.

 

Unlike basic Qi circulation exercises, which move energy through meridians or store it in the lower tan tien, this method deliberately concentrates Qi pressure into targeted zones, strengthening and revitalising them at a deep level.

 

In this technique, all of the previous Qi pressure methods —reverse breathing, step breathing, and the use of bandhas — are integrated, with the addition of a conscious guiding of the Qi pressure, all of which create a layered compression of energy within the body.  This allows practitioners to fortify their internal energy, strengthen vital organs, and enhance overall resilience. By guiding Qi with breath, muscular locks, and focused awareness, we not only amplify Qi pressure, but also optimise bodily functions and promote longevity.

 

Packing Process Breathing is not a beginner’s technique. Unlike passive energy-gathering exercises, this method requires precision, inner sensitivity, and gradual conditioning to be effective. Practitioners must develop:

  • Refined breath control – Ensuring a smooth and steady buildup of Qi pressure.
  • Muscular and energetic coordination – Engaging subtle muscular contractions to guide Qi without excessive tension.
  • Deep internal awareness – Feeling the movement and compression of Qi with absolute clarity.

 

Since this practice pressurises energy within the body, it must be approached with care. Beginners should start with shorter cycles and increase repetitions gradually. Mastery comes with time, patience, and consistent refinement of technique.

 

With continued practice, Packing Process Breathing develops an energy system that is powerful, condensed, and refined, leading to greater longevity, physical resilience, and mastery of internal energy dynamics.

 

In the first Packing Process exercise, we specifically focus on charging the kidneys. In the second exercise, we charge the whole body sequentially.

 

1. Packing Process Breathing Exercise 1: Charging the Kidneys

 

The kidneys are vital reservoirs of Qi in the body, and energising them is fundamental for longevity, stamina, and internal power. This exercise packs Qi pressure into the kidneys and adrenal glands, strengthening them and optimising their function.

 

Precautions:

  • This exercise is more strenuous than you might imagine! Do not more than 3 cycles of packing per day for the first week, and then gradually increase to six, nine, 18 cycles per day.
  • During the practice, try to stay as calm as possible – it is better to minimise the amount of force experienced during the exercise, until you are able to do packing breathing with very little application of force at all – you begin to be able to use less and less muscular force to experience the cumulative additions of Qi pressure.

 

Practice Guide

Please watch the video below for this practice.

 

[INSERT VIDEO]

 

After you have completed the exercise, please note your experience in your Course Journal.

 

Practice Notes:

  • The key to mastering this practice is precision in directing Qi. Do not rush the micro-inhalations — they should be deliberate and intentional.
  • Avoid excessive force — Qi should feel powerful yet smooth, not rigid or uncomfortable.
  • The goal is to sense the Qi wrapping and pressurising the kidneys, not just performing mechanical breath holds.
  • Maintain absolute mental focus—visualisation of Qi movement is essential.
  • As your capacity improves, increase the number of breath cycles gradually.
  • Over time, this practice will enhance both physical and energetic resilience, reinforcing structural integrity, hormonal balance, and immune function.

 

2. Packing Process Breathing Exercise 2: Charging the Whole Body

 

In the following variation of this exercise, we bring the Qi pressure in and through the whole body. The key point is to guide the Qi with the mind as well as a lifting of the perineum.

 

To do this exercise, we divide the body into 5 zones – the front, the back, the left and right sides and the middle column. We similarly divide the perineum into 5 zones – front of the perineum, back or the perineum, its left and right sides and its middle. These perineum zones reflex to the 5 zones of the body.

 

Understanding the Five Zones of Qi Packing

  • Middle Zone: Central energy column of the body, including major blood vessels and endocrine glands.
  • Front Zone: Digestive and respiratory organs.
  • Back Zone: Spine, nervous system, and brain.
  • Left Zone: Organs on the left side of the body.
  • Right Zone: Organs on the right side of the body.

 

This exercise is done in 5 consecutive overall breaths, each with 4 mini-breaths corresponding to 4 pull-ups of the perineum. Send the Qi pressure into the respective parts of the body with each mini-breath.

 

Through consistent practice, this exercise develops a powerful internal pressure that strengthens the body’s ability to store, utilise, and refine energy, setting the foundation for higher-level Qi cultivation techniques.

 

Practice Guide

Please watch the video below for this practice.

 

[INSERT VIDEO]

 

After you have completed the exercise, please note your experience in your Course Journal.

 

A written description of both exercises can be found at the Exercise Files tab.

 

Exercise Files
Qi Pressure Exercise 5 – Packing Process Breathing.pdf
Size: 268.82 KB