Seven Branch Sitting Method

 A. Sit in cross -legged position with body balanced.          

 B. Place Deng Chi Seal below the navel. A Deng Chi Seal is where the palms are extended in a relaxed way and the  right palm is placed over the left palm with the thumbs  touching each other lightly.         

 C. Straighten the back bones and extend the shoulders sideways.

 D. Press the chin against the throat lightly.

 E. Touch the tongue to the palate and open the eyes slightly.

 F. Exhale the stale air through the mouth three to nine times.

 G. Calm the mind and do not think.

Note:

Seal (mudra) of the hands : Besides the above mentioned Deng Chi Seal, there are many other seals. They are used according to the requirements in different situations.

Position of the legs: The body is said to be "like a mountain." It should be well balanced and relaxed. The legs can be both folded or half folded or not folded at all. In the writing of Tsongkapa (15th century), the founder and grand master of the Gelug sect, it is suggested that if the legs are both folded, it would be a distraction. It is not advisable to do so. But if the adepts are accustomed to the postures of folding both legs (full lotus position), it is acceptable to do so. It is also acceptable to sit on a chair. But according to the treatise Mahamudra, which is generally associated with the bKa-rgyud sect, full lotus positions are also used.

      The nine sections wind

                First use the left index finger to press on the left nostril and use the right nostril to breathe three times.  Then use the right index finger to press on the right nostril and use the left nostril to breath three times.  Use both nostrils to breathe three times. When inhaling, visualize clean air of rainbow colors passing through the whole body. When exhaling, visualize dark and polluted air being breathed out.  Lastly, visualize the polluted air being purged from the body through all the pores.   

Treasure Pot (four breath methods)

               Treasure Pot is also called "Pot Shape Energy Training".

               This method involves visualizing the body as a teapot. After expelling the stale air from the lungs by exhaling three times, visualize the energy or air being absorbed into the body through the top of the head. After the whole body is filled with the energy from the universe, the diaphragm has to be lifted and the abdomen flattened. Breathe in through the nose and send the energy to one and a half inches below the navel (same as dan tian in Nei Tan Taoism). Hold the breath until unable to hold it any longer, then slowly exhales.

               As training becomes better, the length of time of holding the breath can be longer. Eventually the breath almost becomes undetectable. Breathing is done as if through the middle channel. At this stage one can abstain from eating and drinking fluid many days without losing weight or feel hungry.

Comment by Joe Hing Kwok Chu

Holding the breath as long as possible can be harmful for the body, especially harmful for the brain. The optimum is 30 seconds according to a research report from China on bi shi, a qigong training where holding the breath is the main training. Abstain from eating and drinking fluid can also be bad for the health. If the body cannot release stored energy it will start to burn muscle and fat to function. The waste product can be toxic for the liver.