This 3 PART session is about “How to Practice the Two Wheels of Breathing.” A summary of various breathing techniques taught by Dr. Sang H. Kim during the MBX-12 Spring Workshop.

Reverse Wheel Breathing Method

Reverse Wheel Breathing works in the opposite way of Forward Wheel Breathing:

– Reverse Wheel Breathing helps you experience conscious sensation of the flow of the inner energy turning into unconscious awareness of the presence of a force that holds everything together in you.

During in-breath your consciousness rises from the tailbone area (refer to the Reverse Wheel Breathing diagram) (1) the sacrum, traveling vertically (2) through the back of the head arriving in the middle of the eyes (3), the third eye; during out-breath your consciousness (or imaginary mental energy) flows downward to the lower energy center (5) in the belly.

Just like the rear two wheels push a car forward, Reverse Wheel Breathing drives the inner energy upward in the back toward the upper energy center between the eyes.

The flow of inner energy during the practice of Reverse Wheel Breathing Method involves rising rearward during inhalation and sinking down forward during exhalation. As you inhale your belly expands and the diaphragm sinks; as you exhale your belly muscles contract and the diaphragm rises.

More precisely, when you inhale, the lower energy center relaxes and is filled with fresh energy and in no time the energy rises upward along the spinal cord (2, Governing Meridian) arriving at the third eye (3) between the eyes. When you exhale, the flow of energy begins to move downward along the front line of the torso (4, Conception Meridian).

– Reverse Wheel Breathing allows the inner energy to rise backward during inhalation and to sink forward during exhalation. When the inner energy rises upward to the third eye between the eyes, your consciousness heightens.

As you progress, you will experience the conscious sensation of the flow of the inner energy turning into unconscious awareness of the presence of a force that holds everything together.

Exercise with MBX-3: Infinity Posture

With any MBX-12 movement, you can practice Reverse Wheel Breathing Method: During in-breath your consciousness rises from the sacrum, arriving in the middle of the eyes; during out-breath let go of your consciousness downward to the lower energy center.

From natural stance, point your heels outward and bend your knees. Place your open hands in front of your belly with palms facing upward. Exhale.

Inhaling, raise your hands above your head with your fingers wide open. At this time be aware of your consciousness rising from the tailbone area, traveling vertically through the back of the head arriving in the middle of the eyes. Pause and hold your breath for 3 seconds.

Exhaling slowly, bend your knees slightly. At this time be aware of your consciousness flowing downward to the lower energy center in the belly. Pause for 3 seconds.

Repeat the Reverse Wheel Breathing 5-10 times in the same posture.

Excerpted from books: Mindful Movement: Mastering Your Hidden Energy, Power Breathing: Breathe Your Way to Inner Power, Stress Reduction, Performance Enhancement, Optimum Health & Fitness