The Art of Breath: A Modern Guide to the Breathwork Hierarchy in Yijin Xisui Jing

As a practitioner and educator with over twenty years of experience in Yijin Xisui Jing Neigong (The Muscle-Tendon and Marrow Washing Internal Classic), I’ve dedicated my life to decoding this ancient system for the modern world.

At the heart of this practice lies the “Hierarchy of Breath” (Respiratory Progression). This is not just a collection of breathing exercises; it is the soul of the practice. It is the bridge between physical movement and internal energy (Qi), connecting our conscious efforts with our innate life force. For Western practitioners, mastering this progression is the “master key” to unlocking deep cellular healing, mental clarity, and somatic peace.

The Yijin Xisui Jing philosophy views breath as the primary tool for balancing Yin and Yang. Unlike popular “rapid breathing” hacks, this system prioritizes natural evolution and gradual progression, allowing your biology to sync with the rhythms of nature.

The Three Stages of Breath Mastery
The breathwork hierarchy is a journey from Effort to Effortlessness. It maps the evolution of “Qi” from conscious regulation to a spontaneous state of “Oneness.”

Stage 1: The Breath of Initiation — From Micro to Macro
“Movement is born from stillness; breathe slowly and gently.”

This is the gateway for beginners. The goal is to awaken awareness and move stagnant energy. Most modern professionals suffer from shallow, rapid “chest breathing” caused by chronic stress. In this stage, we retrain the body to breathe low, slow, and deep.

The Practice: Start in a comfortable seated or standing position. Drop your shoulders and release mental chatter. Your breath should be “Micro”—soft, nearly silent, and effortless. Feel the air enter the nostrils and naturally settle into the lower abdomen.

Expansion: As your awareness grows, guide the breath to become “Macro.” On the inhale, feel the energy wrap around to your lower back (Kidney breathing), expanding the torso without tension. On the exhale, let the abdomen gently contract.

The Benefit: This “Stillness in Motion” activates the Vagus Nerve, shifting you out of “fight-or-flight” and into a state of focused calm.

Pro Tip: Practice for 5–10 minutes upon waking. Focus on a 4-second inhale, 2-second pause, and 6-second exhale to establish a natural cadence.

Stage 2: The Breath of Meditation — The Seamless Flow
“Stillness begets motion, motion begets stillness. Breath becomes a continuous thread.”

Once the rhythm is established, we transition to “Mian Mian” (Continuous) breathing. This is the breakthrough point for many Westerners—where breathwork becomes a Flow State.

The Practice: While in meditation, the breath evolves from “large and slow” to “fine and long.” It becomes like a silk thread—unbroken, thin, and consistent. The transition between inhale and exhale becomes seamless, with no discernible gap.

Dynamic Roots: Here, “Movement and Stillness” are roots of each other. While the body is externally still, the internal energy is moving vigorously. Eventually, you reach a state of “Oblivious Breathing”—where the body breathes itself without conscious intervention.

The Benefit: This stage facilitates Interoception (internal body sensing) and deep tissue oxygenation, leading to a profound sense of “Body-Mind Unity.”

Stage 3: The Breath of Stillness — The State of Pure Nature
“Natural breathing; the seen dissolves into the unseen. A state of perfect harmony.”

This is the pinnacle of Yijin Xisui Jing—the transition from Doing to Being. Breath is no longer a “technique”; it is a state of existence.

The Practice: In this stage, the concept of “I am breathing” disappears. The breath becomes so refined it is “Micro without an inside” and “Macro without an outside.” You are breathing with your entire pores, your entire skin, and the environment around you.

The “Ultimate Void”: This is a state of Non-Action (Wu Wei). There is no forced effort and no neglect. It is “unscented and silent,” representing the ultimate goal of ancient Chinese longevity arts: Zhi Zhong Zhi He (Perfect Central Harmony).

The Benefit: Complete Homeostasis. The individual “micro-universe” vibrates in total resonance with the “macro-universe” of nature. This is peak Autonomic Nervous System balance.

Conclusion: From Effort to Essence
The Yijin Xisui Jing breathing hierarchy is a ladder to higher consciousness. It begins with conscious regulation, matures into a rhythmic flow, and culminates in a return to our most primal, harmonious state.

This system is not just an “exotic art”—it is a biological necessity for the 21st century. It offers a way to put down the anxiety of the modern world and return to the “Original Midline” of our lives.

Whether you are a yogi, an athlete, or a busy professional, these ancient breathing protocols provide the tools to build a body that is resilient and a mind that is unshakeable.

Ready to find your center? Start with your next breath.

Eon Zhi
Senior Instructor, Yijin Jing & Xisui Jing