In Chinese Medicine, Kidney energy provides the most important part of vitality. The Dan Tian breath is a powerful, and extremely beneficial variation of our natural breathing. Dan Tian breathing is important to cultivate health, facilitate self-healing, and to increase the vital energy, known as Qi. This is a simple exercise to relax both the body and mind, release stress, reduce anxiety, and massage the internal organs.

1. Sit upright in a chair, close your eyes, and place the tips of your thumbs and index fingers together, forming a triangle. Place center of where your thumbs touch directly above navel, with tips of your index fingers pointing downwards. The area just below the navel is where the Dan Tian is located.

2. Tap your upper and lower teeth together 36 times, swish and swallow the resulting saliva in 3 parts, sending it down to the Dan Tian. Place the tip of your tongue where your front teeth and palate meet.

3. Inhale through your nose and into your abdomen. Direct your awareness and breath into the Dan Tian, expanding your lower abdomen and lower back. Gently hold your breath as long as you can without straining or tensing up.

4. With the exhale, contract your lower abdomen and low back. Imagine sending gray waste out through your nose. You can perform this breathing technique 9, 18, or 36 times.