The Three Dan Tians
According to Chinese traditional medicine each of us have 3 energy centers within our bodies. Each center is known as a dan tian which can be translated as ‘elixir of life field’, ‘sea of Qi’ or ‘energy center’. Each dan tian has a specific function but they also work together in many ways.
The Lower Dan Tian
Xia Dan Tian - ‘Qi Ocean’ or ‘Golden Stove’. Location: Two fingers below the navel and 3 fingers breath inside.
• Considered the wellspring of human energy and the residence of Original Qi, which has been converted from Original Essence (passed down through our ancestors).
• In Daoist meditation and Chinese martial arts training much attention is devoted to connecting with this lower dan tian. This is because it is the thing that allows us to be physically / mentally ‘rooted’ or ‘centered’. Rootedness is the basis for all martial arts, meditation and Qigong practice.
The Middle Dan Tian
Zhoug Dan Tian - Location: Solar plexus
• Connected to our feelings, thoughts and emotions, this energy centers specializes in maintaining the health of the internal organs.
* The center of post-birth breathing where energy from the Jing (essence) of air and food is gathered and converted into Qi. The heart and lungs convert air Jin into Qi and the stomach and digestive system is where food Jing is converted. This process is similar to burning wood to create heat. Unlike Original Qi (inherited Qi), the Qi created through the conversion of air and food Jing is unpredictable and not always benefital. When someone lacks sleep or is eating too much ‘yang / positive food’ (i.e. peanuts) their body is said to be ‘on fire’ and their body has an excess of Fire Qi.
• The Qi created here remains in the middle Dan Tian until it is utilized throughout the body by means of the Conception and Governing vessels. The Conception vessels runs all the way up the front and the Governing vessels runs all the way down the back.
The Upper Dan Tian
Shang Dan Tian Location: In the forehead
• The brain requires a lot of Qi to function properly. Qi is delivered to the brain through the Thrusting Vessel which runs directly up the spinal cord.
• Your spirit resides in the Upper Dan Tian. When there is an abundance of Qi in the Upper Dan Tian the spirit is energized, if not you will become unfocused, depressed and mentally unstable.
