The breath plays an integral role in the practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. From the first anxious breaths of a new patient entering the treatment room, to the calm, rhythmic breathing of the practitioner inserting and removing a needle, the breath is a powerful force for both healing as well as anchoring our minds and emotions as we are faced with the myriad challenges of living in the modern world.

Both acupuncture and breathwork are considered by many classically trained practitioners as forms of Qi Gong, which translates from Chinese as "energy work," and both are gaining tremendous ground in Western medicine and science.There are many ties between the two from a Qi Gong point of view. Both seek to improve health and well-being through the manipulation and movement of energy from within and without.

Acupuncture especially emphasizes the movement of energy and according to Qi Gong philosophy, breath is one of the most important vehicles for the movement of energy. Qi is believed to move the blood, and it is breath that moves the Qi. In fact every move in Qi Gong is centered around the breath and that can be true for acupuncture as well...

(Above poster available at EduGraphics.net.)

Dr. Shirazi (right) uses a variety of breathing techniques depending on the patient and their particular affliction, but teaches Dantien Breathing to everyone. Energy movement practitioners often talk about "abdominal breathing," diaphragmatic breathing," or "Dantien breathing," but many patients don't know exactly what these terms mean.

The Dantien is considered to be the main energy center or receptacle in traditional Oriental medicine. Dr. Shirazi finds that helping patients to actually find the physical location of their Dantien gives them a specific location to focus on and is an excellent way to bring them out of their heads and into their bodies, and that turns out to be very valuable within itself.

Finding the Dantien
To find the Dantien, imagine a line that runs down from your navel to the top of your pelvic bone. Find the middle of that line (usually 2-3 inches below your navel) and then imagine a line from that point that connects the front wall of your abdomen to the back wall. The middle of that horizontal line is the location of your Dantien. Now imagine a sphere about the size of a grapefruit (or an orange for our more petite readers). That is your Dantien. At that point that is what expands when you inhale and contracts as you exhale.

The simplest energy movement exercise is to imagine your Dantien expanding and contracting as you breathe. To start, find your Dantien, then focus on your breathing. Visualize your breath streaming in to fill the Dantien as you inhale. As you exhale, imagine the Dantien shrinking like a balloon as the air is let out. Repeat this exercise for 15 minutes, or combine it with other breathing exercises.

Click here for more on Dr. Shirazi and 2bwell.

Visit our Products page for everything from our popular Perfect Breathing workbook, comfortable apparel and messenger bags, to StressEraser products, ball caps, clocks, notepads, books, DVDs, and more.

Planning your next health fair? Looking to spice up a corporate retreat? Need a keynote speaker, guest lecturer or presenter?

Seasoned speaker, teacher and dynamic presenter Al Lee can custom-design a Perfect Breath program that will show you how to use your most powerful source of energy - your breath - to dramatically improve your health, performance, and emotional well-being. You can learn the same techniques that are used by competitive athletes, fighter pilots, mountain climbers, performers, and healing professionals of all kinds to elicit the most from their minds and bodies. For Perfect Breathing Seminar bookings email Al Lee at: al@perfectbreathing.com and visit him at www.perfectbreathing.com

For a running dialog of the latest in breathing ideas, techniques, success stories, and more, visit our Perfect Breath Blog . Get answers to your questions, share your experience and expertise with others, and stay abreast of the latest science, research, and technology. Here are the latest headlines:

Breathe Away Your Public Speaking Fears

Science & Breathing

Increasing Emotional Intelligence with Conscious Breathing

• Laser Light Can Detect Potential Diseases Via Breath Samples (Science Daily)

• Alkalize Your Body Through Breathing With Healthy Lungs and Sinuses (NaturalNews.com)

• Breathing new life into cancer treatment (Beaufort Gazette)

• Healthy and Wealthy: Combining Yoga Principles and Financial Independence (Ottawa Citizen)

• Do You Breathe While Emailing or Twittering? (WebProNews)

Thanks for being part of Perfect Breath. Stay tuned! If you have comments, questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,