Harmonious Breathing Exercise for Weight Loss (Part 3): Application and Closing of the Six Healing Sounds

IV. Application of the Six-Syllable Mantra

(I) The pronunciation during exhalation – the Six Healing Sounds and their functions

Another characteristic of the Harmony Dao Breathing Exercise for Weight Loss is that when exhaling, a low and gentle exhalation echo is required from the pharynx, Adam's apple, and nasal cavity.

The sound is similar to the chants of boatmen pulling boats on the Yangtze River Three Gorges, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape.

The breath of the Harmony Dao is slow, long, thin, and deep, like the distant sobbing of a river.

The sound you make when you exhale is quite particular.

Generally, this exercise uses the traditional Taoist six-character mantra: blow, exhale, chuckle, swallow, exhale, and sigh.

Mr. Ma Litang summarized the connotation, therapeutic correspondence, and indications of the six-character formula for the functions of internal organs as follows:

1. The sound "Xu" can cure liver disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine theory holds that the liver belongs to the wood element, which flourishes in spring and manifests in the eyes.

In spring, all things grow and liver yang rises, making liver diseases more likely to occur, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, red and swollen eyes, fullness in the hypochondriac region, pain in the liver area, and irritability.

Patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis may experience a worsening or relapse of their condition if they also suffer from obesity.

The symptoms of liver yang hyperactivity in obese individuals include: fullness and distension in the chest and hypochondrium, liver fire with phlegm rising upwards, arrogance and irritability, severe headache, restlessness at night, urinary retention, constipation and dry stools, swollen and painful hernia, and occasional convulsions.

The symptoms of liver yin deficiency in obese individuals include: restlessness and insomnia, dull headache, occasional nausea, weakness in the throat, loose stools, urinary incontinence, impotence in men, and uterine prolapse and irregular menstruation in women.

For liver disease, practicing the "Xu" sound is appropriate; for excess symptoms, purging is necessary. Since the heart is the offspring of the liver, the "He" sound can be used to purge it.

Deficiency syndromes should be tonified. The kidney is the mother of the liver, so the word "blowing" can be used to tonify it.

2. The word "呵" can cure heart ailments.

Wood can generate fire, the heart belongs to fire, corresponds to summer, and its orifice is the tongue.

In the hot summer, symptoms such as heart fire rising, sore throat, mouth ulcers, burning breath, and restlessness often occur.

The symptoms of excessive internal heat in obese individuals include: dry throat and thirst, angina pectoris, chest and rib distension, yellow urine, palpitations, paroxysmal chest pain, and axillary pain.

In obese individuals, the deficiency syndrome of insufficient Yin in the heart manifests as palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, night sweats, and neurasthenia.

To treat heart disease, one should practice the sound "He". For excess symptoms, one should purge. Since the spleen is the child of the heart, one can practice the sound "Hu" to purge heart fire. Then, practice the sound "Chui" to replenish kidney water. In this way, the heart and kidneys interact, and water and fire are in harmony, making it easy to achieve good results.

3. The word "呼" (hū) can cure stomach problems caused by bloating.

The spleen and stomach belong to the earth element, which is responsible for transporting and transforming the essence of food and water. They have the function of ascending the clear and descending the turbid, and their orifice is the mouth.

Obese individuals with spleen and stomach excess heat syndrome exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, belching, abdominal distension, jaundice, headache, fever, watery diarrhea with burning sensation in the anus; while those with spleen deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome exhibit symptoms such as weakness in the limbs, irritability, insomnia, yellowish-brown discoloration with edema, and loose stools.

Spleen and stomach disorders can be treated with the word "hu".

The heart is the mother of the spleen. If you still feel insufficient strength after practicing the "hu" sound, you can practice the "he" sound to strengthen the digestive function of the spleen and stomach.

If the spleen and stomach are out of balance due to liver qi stagnation and heat, use the "Xu" sound to calm the liver, and then use the "He" sound to strengthen the heart and nourish the spleen.

4. The word "throat" can cure lung diseases.

Earth can generate metal, the lungs belong to metal, correspond to autumn, and open to the nose.

Autumn weather is cool, but still retains the lingering heat of summer, making it dry.

At this time, the pores are closed, and the stagnant heat has not yet dissipated, so it is easy for it to remain in the lung meridian. You should use the sound "ah" to cleanse the stagnant heat in the lung meridian.

Symptoms of impaired lung qi include chest fullness, shoulder and back pain, colds due to wind and cold, and frequent, yellow urine.

When lung qi is deficient, one experiences shoulder and back pain and aversion to cold, rapid and short breathing, and frequent but small urination.

Obese people with weak lung qi are prone to external pathogens. They should practice the "exhale" sound to nourish their lungs. This is called the method of nourishing the earth to generate metal.

5. The word "blowing" can cure kidney disease.

The kidneys are the foundation of innate constitution, and various diseases are inseparable from the kidneys. When kidney qi is sufficient, all organs in the body can receive the warmth of kidney qi, thereby restoring the body to health.

Therefore, the word "blowing" is particularly important in the Six-Syllable Mantra.

Because the Kidney Meridian starts from the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of the foot, the soles of the feet should be relaxed when practicing the "blowing" sound.

The kidneys belong to the water element, correspond to the season of winter, and open to the ears (including the two lower orifices).

The kidneys are responsible for storing essence and are related to all diseases of the reproductive system.

Kidney deficiency can cause tinnitus and hearing loss; the kidneys govern the bones, so kidney deficiency can cause loose teeth; the health of the kidneys is reflected in the hair, so kidney deficiency can cause dry and falling hair; the essence of the kidneys is reflected in the pupils of the eyes, so kidney deficiency can cause blurred vision; the kidneys reside in the lower back, and the legs are the pathway for the kidneys, so kidney deficiency can cause lower back pain and weak legs; the negative effects of the kidneys are reflected in the knees, so kidney deficiency can cause knee pain and difficulty in bending and straightening the knees.

Kidney Qi deficiency manifests as a dark complexion, palpitations and shortness of breath, lower back pain, weak legs, anxiety and restlessness, seminal emission and impotence in men, leukorrhea and irregular menstruation in women, hot soles and cold lower limbs, nightmares and easy awakening.

If an obese person also has kidney yin deficiency and excessive fire, the deficiency fire will rise and cause symptoms such as hot mouth, dry throat, irritability, swollen throat, abdominal distension, dark urine, and even diarrhea and edema.

The kidneys are associated with cold water and belong to the winter season.

The word "blowing" is used to dispel cold and strengthen the kidneys.

The lungs are the mother of the kidneys. The lungs belong to the metal element, and metal can generate water. When kidney water is deficient, the word "ah" should be used to supplement it.

If the fire element is excessive, causing irritability, dry mouth, and painful, dark yellow urine, then the word "xi" can be used to calm it.

6. The character "嘻" regulates the three jiaos (upper, middle, and lower burners).

The Triple Burner governs all Qi and oversees the body's Qi transformation function. It is the channel for the circulation of primordial Qi and the transport of food and water, and is the largest of the six Fu organs.

Its root lies in the Mingmen point, and it is closely related to the various organs and meridians, serving as the pathway for regulating the Qi throughout the body.

The regulation of the functions of the five internal organs and six bowels depends entirely on the circulation of Qi, and the circulation of Qi mainly relies on the Sanjiao (Triple Burner).

Therefore, practicing the "xi" sound is for regulating the Qi mechanism of the Triple Burner.

The area from the bladder to the navel is the lower burner, the area from the navel to the pit of the stomach is the middle burner, and the area from the pit of the stomach to the Tian Tu point is the upper burner.

The lower burner is responsible for excretion, the middle burner for the putrefaction of food and water, and the upper burner for the dispersal and distribution of nutrients.

When practicing the character "嘻" (xi), one should have a smile on their face, feel happy and cheerful inside, and cultivate it with the mindset of "laughing away all the sorrows of the world, past and present, and settling all the affairs of the world."

The symptoms of excess in the Triple Energizer include swollen throat, sore throat, chills and fever, tinnitus, deafness, jaw disease, axillary swelling, difficulty urinating, and chest tightness.

Triple Energizer Deficiency Syndrome manifests as tinnitus, spontaneous sweating, and dizziness.

Obese individuals with disorders of the Triple Energizer often exhibit the following symptoms: fluid retention, edema, qi stagnation and blood stasis, bitter taste in the mouth, chest tightness, nausea, abdominal distension, and dark yellow urine.

If the Triple Burner is not flowing smoothly, you can use the sound "xi" to clear it, and then use the sound "hu" to help the stomach qi.

(II) The mouth shape and Qi guidance of the Six Healing Sounds

Japanese-style Harmony Way breathing exercises aim to treat various diseases by actively strengthening breathing.

I applied this exercise to weight loss and found that its breathing method differs from traditional Chinese Taoist Qigong: ① Harmony Taoist breathing exercise uses active breathing, which can also be called intensive breathing.

Traditional Chinese Taoist Qigong emphasizes following the natural course of things and not forcing anything, taking Lao Tzu's principle of "doing nothing yet accomplishing everything" as its guiding principle.

②The Harmony Dao Breathing Exercise emphasizes deliberate, large-volume deep breathing, therefore it requires making a certain sound in the mouth while exhaling.

Especially during group practice, dozens of people sit in a circle on wooden stools, forming an oval-shaped group. A Zen master acts as the general director, issuing a set of instructions to guide the practitioners and using language to help them understand.

The group of practitioners collectively emit a certain deep sound, which is then fed back to the cerebral cortex of each practitioner, creating a virtuous cycle of mutual stimulation, thereby enhancing the training effect.

It should be noted that inhalation should be natural, through the nose, and without making any guttural sounds; the sound should only occur during exhalation.

The original Japanese-style Harmony Way breathing exercises did not include the Six Healing Sounds breathing method. It was only in order to improve this weight loss exercise that I incorporated the Six Healing Sounds into Harmony Way. Practice has proven that it is even more effective for weight loss and treating diseases.

All obese people, upon careful examination of their internal organs, all have some kind of disease.

Some obese people, especially some middle-aged men, cannot find any disease in Western medical tests and instrument examinations. Their appetite, sleep, and bowel movements are all normal, and they feel good about themselves. Some people even think that they are just carefree and have a blessed appearance.

In fact, according to the four diagnostic methods and eight principles of traditional Chinese medicine, a careful examination reveals that the internal organs all have varying degrees of hidden problems.

The author adopted Mr. Ma Litang's six-character pronunciation method.

Mr. Ma has a deep understanding of the Six-Character Formula and is familiar with its inherent laws. Moreover, it is a culmination of his lifelong exploration and experience, so it is undoubtedly credible.

According to Mr. Ma's experience, the correct mouth shape is essential for the pronunciation of the Six Healing Sounds. The Six Healing Sounds mainly activate the Qi and blood of different meridians in the five internal organs and six bowels through different mouth shapes, so the correctness of the mouth shape is very important.

Ordinary people usually breathe with their chest, but when practicing the Six Healing Sounds, it is required to breathe with the abdomen, exhaling first and then inhaling, and especially to make the breath deep, long, fine and gentle.

When practicing the Six Healing Sounds, you should contract your abdomen, lift your anus, tuck in your buttocks and kidneys. After tucking in your buttocks, each side should sink into a pit. The base of the male external genitalia should be lifted upwards from the perineum (kidney contraction).

Ancient classic texts on the Six Healing Sounds all advocate "speaking words without letting the ears hear them," meaning not to pronounce them aloud.

In my opinion, the five tones are connected to the five internal organs and six bowels, and the production of sound is related to the five internal organs.

Based on his experience, Mr. Ma believed that speaking out was better than remaining silent.

The reason is: ① Making a sound can stimulate the movement of the internal organs.

② Speaking aloud allows one to distinguish whether the pronunciation is correct or not.

③ Making a sound can easily help one enter a state of tranquility, eliminate distracting thoughts and focus on one thing, and has a similar effect to cultivating both movement and stillness.

1. The sound "嘘" (xū) calms the liver qi.

The pronunciation is "xū".

The pronunciation should be prolonged, and most importantly, the eyes should be wide open as much as possible while relaxed, because the liver is connected to the eyes.

Every organ has an opening; when you open your eyes wide, the toxins lurking in the liver meridian are expelled.

Mouth shape: The lips are slightly closed with a horizontal tension, the tip of the tongue extends forward, and the two sides of the tongue curl slightly towards the middle.

Guide the Qi with intention, following the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian: It begins at the hairy part of the big toe (Dadun acupoint); it ascends along the dorsum of the foot; it passes 3 cm in front of the medial malleolus (Zhongfeng acupoint); it ascends to 26 cm above the medial malleolus and intersects with the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian behind it; it ascends along the medial side of the knee; it runs along the medial side of the thigh; it enters the pubic hair; it bypasses the genitals; it ascends to the lower abdomen; it runs alongside the stomach, belongs to the liver, and connects with the gallbladder; it ascends through the diaphragm; it distributes to the ribs; it runs along the back of the throat; it ascends into the nasopharynx; it connects to the "eye system" (the part of the eyeball that connects to the brain); it ascends to the forehead; it meets the Du Meridian at the top of the head; a branch of the "eye system": descends into the cheek and encircles the inner lip; a branch of the liver: it separates from the liver, passes through the diaphragm, and flows upward into the lungs, connecting with the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.

2. The word "呵" (hē) can replenish the heart's energy.

The pronunciation is "ke", as in "科".

When pronouncing "he", the key is to press your tongue against the lower gum and keep your mouth half open.

Because the Heart Meridian connects to the tongue, problems with the heart can manifest on the tip of the tongue.

Mouth shape: Mouth half open, tongue against the lower gum, cheeks exert force, tongue edge touches the entire lower jaw.

Guide the Qi with intention, following the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian: it originates in the heart, exits into the heart system, passes through the diaphragm, and connects with the small intestine.

Its branch ascends from the heart system, passes through the throat, and connects to the "eye system." Its main branch ascends from the heart system to the lungs, and then descends to the armpit (Jiquan acupoint).

Along the posterior border of the inner side of the upper arm, it runs behind the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin and the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, reaching the elbow crease. It then runs along the posterior border of the inner side of the lower arm to the pisiform bone of the palm, enters the palm, and runs along the inner side of the little finger to the tip (Shaochong point), where it connects with the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang.

3. The word "呼" (hū) can help to strengthen one's temper.

The pronunciation is "hū", as in "hū".

Mouth shape: The lips are rounded and the tongue is placed in the center and slightly curled upwards.

Guide the Qi with intention, following the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian: It begins at the tip of the big toe (Yinbai acupoint), along the inner side of the big toe where the red and white flesh meet; it passes behind the first metatarsophalangeal joint after the base of the big toe; it ascends to the front of the medial malleolus; then up the calf; along the back of the tibia; it crosses the front of the Foot Jueyin Meridian; it passes the anterior border of the medial thigh; it enters the abdomen; it belongs to the spleen and connects with the stomach; it ascends through the diaphragm; it runs alongside the sides of the throat; it connects with the root of the tongue and disperses under the tongue; the stomach branch ascends through the diaphragm and flows into the heart, connecting with the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian.

4. The character "哂" can replenish lung qi.

The pronunciation is "yē", as in "谢". "Yē" is an entering tone character, and its pronunciation is short and abrupt.

Mouth shape: Open your mouth wide and open your palate.

Guide the Qi with intention, following the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin; originating in the middle Jiao, descending to connect with the Large Intestine; looping back along the upper opening of the stomach; passing through the diaphragm; belonging to the Lung; emerging horizontally from the "Lung System" (the area connecting the Lung and the throat) (Zhongfu point); descending along the inner side of the upper arm, running in front of the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin and the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin; descending to the elbow crease; along the anterior border of the inner side of the forearm; entering the Cun Kou point; passing the hypothenar eminence; along the edge of the thenar eminence; emerging at the inner end of the thumb (Shaoshang point); a branch at the back of the wrist: branching off from Lieque point, running all the way to the inner end of the index finger (Shangyang point), connecting with the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming.

5. The word "blowing" replenishes kidney qi.

The pronunciation is "chui", as in "chui".

Mouth shape: Mouth slightly open, corners of the mouth pulled back, tongue slightly curled upward, sound comes out of the lips.

Guide the Qi with intention, following the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian: It begins below the little toe, obliquely towards the sole of the foot (Yongquan acupoint); emerges below the tuberosity of the navicular bone; runs along the back of the medial malleolus; enters the heel; then ascends along the medial side of the calf; emerges from the medial side of the popliteal fossa; ascends along the posterior medial border of the thigh; connects to the spine (Changqiang acupoint, belonging to the Governing Vessel), belonging to the Kidney (Acupoint pathway: also emerges anteriorly, ascends 2 cm lateral to the anterior midline of the abdomen, 7 cm lateral to the anterior midline of the chest, terminating at the Yufu acupoint below the clavicle); connects with the bladder; the straight branch of the Kidney Meridian: ascends from the Kidney through the Liver and diaphragm, enters the Lung, runs along the throat, and joins the root of the tongue; the branch of the Lung Meridian: emerges from the Lung, connects with the Heart, flows into the chest, and connects with the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian.

6. The sound "嘻" helps to regulate the Qi of the Triple Burner.

The pronunciation is "xi", as in "希".

L-shaped: The lips are slightly parted and slightly turned inward, the tongue is flat and extended with the tip pointing downward, slightly retracted, the upper and lower teeth are close together but not closed, giving a smug and self-satisfied appearance.

Guide the Qi with intention, following the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian: It originates at the tip of the ring finger (Guanchong acupoint); it ascends between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones; along the back of the wrist; it emerges on the lateral side of the forearm between the radius and ulna; it ascends through the elbow; along the lateral side of the upper arm; it reaches the shoulder; it crosses behind the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; it enters the supraclavicular fossa; it distributes in the chest, connecting with the pericardium branch; it descends through the diaphragm, from the chest to the abdomen, belonging to the upper, middle, and lower Sanjiao; the branch in the chest: it ascends from the chest, emerges from the supraclavicular fossa, ascends to the neck, ascends straight up behind the ear, emerges from the ear and ascends to the temple, then bends and descends to the cheek, reaching the lower part of the eye socket; the branch in the ear: it enters the ear from behind the ear, exits in front of the ear, crosses with the previous branch at the cheek, reaches the outer canthus of the eye (below Sizhukong), and connects with the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.

During the exhalation process, the mouth shape is required to be in a certain standard, the pronunciation adopts the six-syllable formula, and the timbre produced is different and corresponds to the attributes of the five internal organs.

During the process of exhaling turbid air and expelling pathogenic air, it is also required to follow the direction of the meridians governed by the internal organs and slowly circulate the qi. That is, to guide the qi with the mind and let the qi flow through the meridians, so that the qi of the whole body is unified and the true qi in the twelve meridians of the whole body tends to circulate in a virtuous cycle.

The breathing route of the Six Healing Sounds is different from that described in the previous practice steps. This is because the methods of focusing the mind, circulating qi, and breathing described in the previous practice steps come from the practice methods of Japanese Zen masters, while the Six Healing Sounds come from the practice methods of Mr. Ma Litang.

Why introduce both at the same time? Because the causes of obesity are very complex, and obese individuals vary in their individual qualities, temperament, and endowments.

Practitioners can choose a method of circulating qi based on their own circumstances.

V. Concluding the Exercise

The supine, cross-legged, and seated postures of the Harmony Dao Breathing Weight Loss Exercise can be practiced together or separately.

Finally, follow these steps to finish.

Gradually slow down your breathing rhythm, gradually reduce the degree of leaning back and forward, slowly open your eyes, and at the same time, slowly concentrate your mind from your whole body to your dantian.

After returning to the starting position, bring your palms together and rub them slowly until the Laogong points on your hands are warm. Then, place your hands on top of each other (left for men, right for women) and massage the Dantian area in clockwise and counterclockwise directions for about 2 minutes to finish.