The Six-Word Formula, or Liù Zì Jué, is a method of health cultivation that utilizes the different pronunciations and mouth shapes of the six words: xi, he, hu, xu, chui, xi. By varying the strength of the lips, teeth, throat, and tongue, it stimulates the flow of qi and blood through different organs and meridians. This ancient practice is a form of breath regulation.
Its greatest feature is to enhance the internal organ functions of the body. Through guided breathing, it fully induces and mobilizes the latent capabilities of the organs to resist disease and prevent premature aging as one grows older.
Key Actions
Preparation Position
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, head straight, neck aligned, chest slightly in, back straight, waist and hips relaxed, knees slightly bent, and the body relaxed with natural breathing.
1. Xu Word Technique for Liver Qi Regulation
Exhale while pronouncing the word xu, lightly tapping the big toe on the ground. Raise both hands slowly from the lower abdomen, palms facing each other, moving up to shoulder height, with arms spread like a bird’s wings. Keep the palms angled upwards. Focus your eyes inward and widen them as you exhale. Bend your arms and let your hands slowly descend in front of your chest and abdomen, resting at your sides. Repeat the exhalation.
The Xu technique can treat eye disorders, liver enlargement, chest and rib distension, loss of appetite, dry eyes, and dizziness.
2. He Word Technique for Heart Qi Supplementation
Exhale while pronouncing the word he, lightly tapping the big toe on the ground. Raise both palms inward from the lower abdomen, moving them outward to the center of the chest, then lifting them to eye level. As you exhale, turn your palms to face your face, and let them descend slowly in front of your chest and abdomen, resting at your sides. Repeat the exhalation.
The He technique treats palpitations, angina, insomnia, forgetfulness, night sweats, and oral ulcers.
3. Hu Word Technique for Spleen Qi Nourishment
While pronouncing the word hu, lightly tap the big toe on the ground. Raise both hands from the lower abdomen, palms facing up, to the navel. Rotate the left hand upward to the top of the head while pressing the right hand down to the lower abdomen.
As you exhale, turn the left arm inward so that the palm faces inward, letting it descend in front of you, while the right arm rotates upward with the palm facing inward. Cross the hands in front of your chest, with the left hand on the outside and the right hand on the inside, then press down to the abdomen, letting them rest naturally at your sides. Repeat the exhalation with the right hand lifting and the left hand pressing down.
The Hu technique treats abdominal distension, diarrhea, fatigue in the limbs, loss of appetite, muscle atrophy, and skin edema.
4. Xi Word Technique for Lung Qi Supplementation
Exhale while pronouncing the word xi, raising both hands from the lower abdomen, gradually turning the palms upward to shoulder height, with arms rotating outward and palms facing outwards, fingertips directed towards the throat, then spreading the arms wide like a bird’s wings.
As you exhale, let your arms naturally descend to your sides.
5. Chui Word Technique for Kidney Qi Supplementation
Exhale while pronouncing the word chui, gripping the ground with your toes, lifting the soles of your feet. Raise both arms from your sides, tracing a curve from the lower back and kidney points forward, lifting them to shoulder height, with arms rounded as if holding a ball, fingertips facing each other.
Squat down, letting your arms descend, and as you exhale, let your hands rest on your knees. Slowly stand up with inhalation, letting your arms naturally fall to your sides.
The Chui technique can treat lower back and knee weakness, night sweats, spermatorrhea, and kidney deficiency.
6. Xi Word Technique for Sanjiao Regulation
Exhale while pronouncing the word xi, lightly tapping the fourth and fifth toes on the ground. Raise both hands from your sides as if holding something, moving them over the abdomen to shoulder height, rotating the palms outward, and lifting them towards the head, with palms facing up and fingertips together.
As you inhale, spread your fingers apart, letting them slowly descend along your sides and guiding the qi to the tips of your toes.
The Xi technique treats dizziness, tinnitus, throat pain, chest and abdominal distension, and urinary difficulties caused by Sanjiao obstruction.
Practice the full set of the Six-Word Formula, performing each word six times with breathing, morning and evening, and you will see results over time.
The Six-Word Formula is a method of breath regulation, focusing on exhaling the turbid qi from the organs and inhaling the pure qi from nature. It promotes the upward movement of earth yin to nourish blood and the downward movement of heaven yang to nourish qi, thus harmonizing organ functions, ensuring abundant qi and blood, and maintaining open meridians for health and wellness.
A video is also provided below for your learning!
Source: National Sports Administration
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