The Regulation of Body in Qigong (Postures)
It is essential to assume suitable postures in qigong dirigation. Correct postures are the preconditions to guarantee smooth respiration and induce mental relaxation and tranquilization. The theory that "if the postures are not correct, the flow of qi can not be smooth; if the mind is not concentrated, qi will be in disorder" shows the importance of the regulation of body. The postures commonly assumed are as follows:

1. Plain Sitting Posture
Sit up straight on a square stool, with the trunk and thighs, thighs and shanks in an angle of 90° respectively at the suitable height, the knees separated shoulder-width apart, the feet firmly placed on the floor, the hands naturally placed on the knees or thighs, the lower jaw slightly drawn in, the shoulders relaxed and the chest slightly drawn in, the mouth and eyes slightly closed, the tip of the tongue raised against the hard palate and a smile on the face.

2. Free Knee-Crossing Posture
Sit up straight on a wood bed with the legs crossed in the shape of the Chinese word "".(eight), sitting naturally with the legs crossed, the hands placed on the knees or with the fingers interlocked before the lower abdomen, palms facing upward. The postures of the upper part of the body, head and upper limbs are the same as in Plain Sitting Posture.

3. Supine Lying Posture
Lie on the back on a wood bed with the upper part of the body cushioned slightly higher presenting a sloping position, with the legs straightly stretched, the hands placed against the sides of both legs or on the lower abdomen with one palm over the other (palms facing downward). The requirements of the head are the same as in Plain Sitting Posture.

4. Standing Posture
Take the Tri-round-style Standing Stump for an example. Stand with the feet parallel to each other 3-4 foot-widths apart (the space can be regulated in accordance with the height of the stance), head and neck right straight, the lower jaw slightly drawn in, the chest slightly drawn in and back erect, the hip relaxed and knees bent, the eyes looking straight ahead or slightly closed; the arms presenting an embracing gesture with the five fingers of each hand naturally separated and lightly bent as if holding a ball, the fingertips of one hand pointing at those of the other, about 30cm apart, palms facing inward; the mouth naturally closed, the tongue tip raised against the hard and a smile on the face.

5. Walking Posture
Stand still for 2-3minutes, then left foot takes a step forward first, with the heel touching the ground first, the upper part of the body and the hands swinging to the right, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth; when the left foot fully touches the ground, take the right foot one step forward with the heel touching the ground first, the upper of he body and the arms swinging to the left, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Walk forward step by step as described above and end the exercise after walking for about half an hour.

The Regulation of Breathing in Qigong (Respiration)
The regulation of breathing is the regulation and exercise of respiration. It is a very important link in training qi, an essential method to cause genuine qi in the human body to accumulate, initiate and circulate. The regulation of breathing not only can achieve the effects of regulating the qi and blood and massaging the internal organs of the organism but is also helpful to mental tranquilization and physical relaxation. The breathing regulation methods commonly adopted are as follows:

1. Natural Respiration Method
Without exertion of mindwill, breathe naturally.

2. Orthodromic Abdominal Respiration Method
This refers to the method of respiration in which the diaphragm descends with the abdomen bulging out in inhalation and the diaphragm rises with the abdomen drawn in exhalation.

3. Counter-abdominal Respiration Method
Contrary to the above method, this refers to the method of respiration in which the abdomen is drawn in inhalation and bulges out in exhalation.

4. Pausing-Closing Respiration Method
This refers to the respiration method which requires to pause and close qi for a little while after each inhalation (exhalation) and then exhale (inhale).

5. Nose-inhaling and Mouth-exhaling Method
This refers to the respiration method to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.

The Regulation of Mind in Qigong (Mind-will )
The key link in the regulation of mind is to, through exertion of mindwill, concentrate the mind, get rid of all stray thoughts, replace myriads of thought, thus gradually induce into tranquilization and enter a state of void. This is, namely, the so-called "training the mind to return to void". This is the most essential exercise in qigong dirigation. The effect of the training practice is mainly determined by the degree of tranquilization. It is comparatively difficult for beginners to tranquilize. The tranquilizing methods commonly adopted are as follows:

1. Mind Concentration Method
The mind is highly concentrated on certain part of the body, certain acupoint or certain object outside the body, usually concentrated on Dantian(Elixir Field). The concentration should be obscure, without any forceful exertion, relaxed and natural, being just right.

2. Breath-following Method
The mind is highly concentrated on respiration, concentrated only on the rise and fall of the abdominal respiration without the conduct of mindwill so as to form a unification of mindwill and qi and reach a tranquil state of mind.

3. Breach-counting Method
During the training practice, count silently the time of breath till the ear fails to hear, the eyes fail to see and the mind fails to think thus naturally reaching a tranquil state of mind.

4. Silent Reading Method
Read silently certain single word or phrase, for instance, the two words"song (relax)" and "jing(tranquilize)", one word for exhalation and inhalation respectively. Its purpose is to replace the myriads of thoughts with one thought, replace all stray thoughts with the orthodox thought, gradually achieving a state free from stray thoughts and full of relaxation and joyousness, and comfortably reaching a tranquil state of mind.