Abdominal Transformation

Journal Entry – Feb 2018

Having studied Nei Gong for about 5 years now, and Gong Fu for longer, I have noticed some major bodily changes and transformation. The shift from using muscular tension/contraction to using soft tissue/fascia extension and expansion is a fundamental in transforming the body for the internal arts. Attempting to “flex” muscles with contractual tension does not feel good at all, it feels tense!… and is counter-productive.

My body now uses a connected strength that draws from the whole body as one unit, rather than individual parts. Particularly interesting is the transformation of the abdomen though, especially with further development of the Dan Tian. The body develops a soft quality, yet a strange, sense-able strength. The abdomen becomes a concentrated core of power and connectivity. It is strong in all breathing, resilient from the inside-out. The core opens and re-shapes into something different than a ‘six-pack’ – while that may be there it is not the emphasis in the core.

With a background of martial arts, I have always maintained a good level of fitness and a strong core. Now after some Nei Gong training, I’ve observed my body has ‘softened’ from tension though there is a rubbery/elastic resiliency in the core and in much of my body. There is an internal pressure/power building from the inside of the core. It’s interesting to observe this change, as I used to think muscles on the outside made one strong – but there is much greater power from developing the internals…

Pregnant with Qi

Journal Entry Sept 2018

My abdomen has been changing in very interesting and specific ways in the last year. The Huang connective tissues within the body are weaving together and strengthening. Particularly the abdomen has become more shaped according to the Lower DanTian, I can see and feel the development of the DanTian. When I sink Qi and mass down, the abdomen fills and expands. The filling and expansion has been moving up into the solar plexus/Zhongwan area. I’m actively working with this now, though it simply takes time, for opening up the Ren channel is simultaneously occurring. The pressure that builds in the abdomen is what expands throughout the torseo, occasionally I’ve felt this strongly reach my shoulders/scapulae/upper torso – pushing and expanding it all open.

Sometimes when my mind relaxes, Qi sinks to the abdomen and causes a pressure inside that aligns my structure upright. My imagination would say it feels like a pregnancy contraction or something…it even feels like I’m pregnant quite often as my abdomen bulges with the pressure inside. As the pressure moves up the torso, it expands and opens the front of my body. Maybe I am pregnant with Qi?