Breathing out through the mouth

[Toltec]

I'm guessing there must be a specific reason Wong Kiew Kit says to breath out through your mouth when doing a lot of different exercises.

I always get instructed to breath through my nose only when I learn Chi Kung from my master. Though I've only learned a few chi kung exercises so far.

Does anyone know the reason for breathing out through your mouth? I figured it may have something to do with flow of chi, but also thought it was easier to visualize stale bad energy flowing out your mouth than your nose.

[Zhang Wuji]

Hi Toltec

As we often remind new visitors, this is our Sifu's website forum, so he should be addressed with respect. Students refer to him as Sifu or Sigung (Shigong, Sigong ...variations in spelling) while visitors can refer to him as Sifu Wong, Master Wong or at the bare minimum, Mr Wong. WKK, or worse, wkk, and such variants are a big no-no.

As for breathing out through the mouth, this is probably the one thing that Sifu emphasises more than any others during intensive qigong courses. I have heard it so often but yet get new insights every time he says it.

The mouth is the singular most important orifice for expulsion of waste. Other important discharge points are the skin and bowels, but these removal systems are not as direct and effective as using the mouth. The mouth expels stale qi from incorrect practise and rubbish that cannot be expelled in other ways. The colon will only send out waste from digested food while the skin expels waste sent there from the kidneys and waste (in other words, a secondary discharge channel). The mouth however takes the rubbish from the source.

Sometimes when I practice, I burp a lot which is strange because I usually practice at least 2 hours after a meal and I don’t eat all that much. Obviously, this is waste that comes out directly from the stomach whereas farts would only occur after the body has processed the food in the digestive system.

Next case in point – yawning. Yawning is one of the most amazing reflex actions given by Nature which we all too often ignore. We yawn when we have not enough sleep because the lack of sleep causes toxins to build up in the body. (When we sleep, the body is at its best because it can concentrate on detoxifying the body while the conscious mind rests). Thus, to compensate for the unfinished work caused by insufficient sleep, we yawn to expel the waste in our body. So, when you are tired, keep your mouth open and don’t be afraid to yawn loudly.

As for why we keep our mouths open during practice, it is simply because the high level nature of our qigong accelerates the metabolic processes (to use Western terms) and other reactions in our body, such as enhanced circulation of qi and blood. It is essential to keep the mouth open to get rid of the waste as they are produced.

So why do other schools teach that the nose is used only? Sifu has answered this often enough so I would just add what I know from my own Taijiquan lineage which also advocates using the nose to breathe:

a) It helps in the production of saliva which the Taoists believe to be precious fluid that should be swallowed. Open mouths may lead to dry mouths.
b) Novices tend to breathe in and out of their mouths if their mouths are open. Shaolin Wahnam students don’t make this mistake – we breathe in through our noses.
c) It maintains the Small Heavenly Circle – but this is only applicable if you are training for it.
d) It makes sure that your tongue stays behind your teeth so you don’t bite it when leaping around.

These are all valid points but like many others before me, I have had the opportunity to experience the actual benefits of Sifu’s teachings so I follow them in my own daily practice.

And remember, in any genuine Taijiquan lineage, there are many occasions when the mouth is used to breathe out, such as for cleansing as well as for fajing.

You may also wish to refer to the Index on Q&A on his webpage under Breathing Methods. This was one topic I took special care to include because it is so novel to most other qigong styles.

[DarkCosmoz]

Thanks for the great info Zhang Wuji.

Next case in point – yawning. Yawning is one of the most amazing reflex actions given by Nature which we all too often ignore. We yawn when we have not enough sleep because the lack of sleep causes toxins to build up in the body. (When we sleep, the body is at its best because it can concentrate on detoxifying the body while the conscious mind rests). Thus, to compensate for the unfinished work caused by insufficient sleep, we yawn to expel the waste in our body. So, when you are tired, keep your mouth open and don’t be afraid to yawn loudly.

I will make sure to tell my professors that I am detoxing the next time I yawn in class.

[Charles David]

During Sleep

Thanks Wu Ji Siheng for such an excellent explanation. (Please let me know if I've addressed you inappropriately)

I will take this opportunity to say how much I've benefitted from this seemingly small teaching. With my mouth open I find it much easier to smile or laugh or cry. When I look at old pictures of myself I notice that my mouth is closed, resulting in a kind of tight lipped expression. My face itself has changed a good deal since taking my first Intensive course with Sifu last year. My wife comments on how I've become more handsome.

My question to my seniors is this:

Even though I am able to keep my mouth open during the day, I find that I generally tend to have it closed during the night, while sleeping. Should I be making more effort to keep it open during sleep?

Also, has anybody else experienced this?

[Zhang Wuji]

HI Charles

Actually, I should address you as my elder senior, because you have taken the Shaolinquan intensive course and I have not (although we did the qigong course together). But I am just Wuji....

Oh, and here below is a succinct explanation by Sifu on the topic of breathing out from the mouth.

July 2000 Q&A:

Comparatively speaking, breathing in and out through the nose is used when one wishes to build up energy, such as when an advanced exponent practises strengthening exercises. Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth is used when one wishes to clear energy blockage, such as practising cleansing exercise. This comparison is relative. You can also build up a lot of energy when you breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Breathing out through the nose when practising strengthening exercise -- which means the mouth is close throughout the training -- should be attempted only by well-trained practitioners. Ordinary students may hurt themselves seriously, particularly if the advanced strengthening exercise was learnt from books. This is one important reason why most of our chi kung exercises use breathing out through the mouth. Another reason is that, except where a particular exercise dictates so, breathing out through the mouth usually produce better and quicker results.

[Toltec]

Sorry for my mistake, I shall call him Sifu Wong from now on, as he most certainly deserves my respect.

Thank you very much for your detailed response Zhang Wuji. I figured it was something like that.

[Charles David]

I am just Wuji....

and I am just Charles...

Still aspiring

[AndyH]

Hi guys,

My question to my seniors is this:

Even though I am able to keep my mouth open during the day, I find that I generally tend to have it closed during the night, while sleeping. Should I be making more effort to keep it open during sleep?

Also, has anybody else experienced this?

I also used to spend too long with a firmly closed mouth. Recently with some gentle persuation from instructors I have been able to enjoy a much more relaxed facial posture. The only problem is that I now spend much more time smiling, so regularly suffer from face-ache

One problem that I have had for a long time is a limited ability to breath clearly through my nose. I have always found it easier during practice, but recently I have noticed a big improvement. Since then I have noticed that I have been waking up having slept with my mouth open more often.

The only other time I remember having done this before is after a night on the booze, when I regularly woke up having had my mouth open during the night, and had a very dry mouth.

I am not you senior, but I would bet that the best thing to do is not to worry about it. Your body knows best, and I am sure it will happen if necessary.


All the best,
Andy

[Toltec]

One more thing, I am moving an incredible amount of toxins out of my body, mainly mercury, and it appears as rashes at certain points, mainly connected with my spleen. Sometimes the rashes appear directly above it, sometimes in my left armpit, and I always smell terrible in my left armpit afterwards.

This happens most with lifting the sky and induced chi flow. During the induced chi flow my involuntary movements message my spleen, and maybe my liver as well.

Would it be ok to breath out of my mouth during induced chi flow to help get rid of toxins? It didn't say much in Sifu Wong's books about it so I know it must be just natural breathing, but could I gently breath in my nose and out my mouth.

[Andrew]

Natural breathing is just that - natural. You shouldn't worry whether you breathe in or our through your nose, mouth ... or even at all. Just follow the instructions is the best advice i.e. leave your mouth gently open and breathe naturally.

Andrew

[shaolin_mike]

I agree with what Andrew says natural breathing means you dont try to control it. When I have tried to control my breathing too much it resulted in a tightness in my abdomen area. Then after lifting the sky and much burping it cleared for me but I learned what happens when you try to force the breath

[joko]

Hello everybody,

What about breathing when swimming?

It is advised to breath in through the mouth.

Is it bad for our health?

Thank you.

Joko