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Lao Gong and Yong Quan
Tai Chi is often described as a dance of energy, a practice that connects Heaven and Earth through the human body. One of the most fascinating principles in this art is the deliberate activation and use of energy points, specifically the Lao Gong (勞宮) points in the palms of your hands and the Yong Quan (涌泉) points in the soles of your feet.
These points are more than metaphors; they are gateways that help us feel, control, and direct energy flow within and around us. In this post, part of our Principles of Movement series, we’ll dive into how you can “open” these points to amplify your movements, increase mindfulness, and strengthen your connection with the universe.
What Are Lao Gong and Yong Quan Points?
- Lao Gong (勞宮): Found in the center of your palms, these are energy gates that play a vital role in transmitting and receiving Qi (energy).
- Yong Quan (涌泉): Located in the center of the soles of your feet, these points connect you to the Earth, grounding your movements and helping you root your energy.
When you learn to engage these points intentionally, your movements become fluid, connected, and powerful.
Opening the Gates: Start with Your Hands
Let’s begin with the Lao Gong points.
Collecting and Releasing Energy
In Tai Chi, we often talk about “opening your hands to collect energy” and “cupping your hands to push energy down.” These aren’t just poetic phrases—they are cues to stimulate the Lao Gong points.
- Opening Your Hands:
Spread your fingers wide, consciously opening the center of your palms. Imagine energy flowing into your Lao Gong points as if you’re catching sunlight or pulling in a gentle breeze. - Cupping Your Hands:
Bring your fingers together slightly, creating a small concave shape in your palms. This action helps you “gather” the energy, keeping it focused and ready to guide.
Think of Your Arms as a Water Hose
Here’s a visualization:
- Picture your arms as a water hose.
- When you close your fingers (cupping), it’s like pinching the hose to control the flow.
- When you open your fingers, you release the pinch and allow the energy, like water, to flow freely through your hands.
This deliberate control is the essence of engaging your Lao Gong points.
Connecting Heaven and Earth: The Role of Yong Quan Points
The Yong Quan points on your feet serve as the opposite end of this energy connection. While the Lao Gong points collect and transmit energy above, the Yong Quan points root you to the Earth, drawing in grounding energy and releasing tension downward.
The Big Energy Pump
Imagine your body as a giant pump:
- As you inhale, energy is drawn in through your Lao Gong and Yong Quan points.
- As you exhale, that energy is pushed outward, creating a flow that connects you to the universe.
Feel the Ground Connection
In your practice:
- Stand barefoot if possible, allowing yourself to feel the Earth beneath you.
- Visualize energy entering your feet through the Yong Quan points.
- As you exhale, imagine that energy moving upward, passing through your body and out through your Lao Gong points.
This visualization strengthens your connection between Heaven (the sky, the universe) and Earth, with you as the intermediary.
Applying the Principles in Movement
Let’s bring it all together with a specific example: the double hand pull and push sequence in Tai Chi.
The Pull (Inhale):
- As you pull your hands back, visualize drawing in energy through your Lao Gong and Yong Quan points.
- Focus on the feeling of energy being collected into your center, specifically your Qi Bai point below your navel.
- Feel grounded, balanced, and ready to reverse the motion.
The Push (Exhale):
- As you push your hands forward, imagine releasing that energy back out through the Lao Gong and Yong Quan points.
- Visualize a sparkling stream of water flowing outward from your hands and downward through your feet, connecting back to the Earth.
- Let your whole body move as one, powered by the flow of energy.
The Philosophy of Energy Flow
Tai Chi is more than physical movement; it’s a philosophy of balance, connection, and generosity.
Borrowing Energy, Not Owning It
As Hilmar Fuchs eloquently said:
“In Tai Chi, we don’t keep energy selfishly. We just borrow it for a moment and then give it back to the universe. We connect Heaven and Earth through ourselves.”
This mindset is central to Tai Chi. Rather than hoarding energy, we learn to let it flow through us, enriching our movements and our sense of connection to the world around us.
Visualization Exercises to Try
- The Energy Ball:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold your hands in front of you as if cradling a ball of energy.
- Slowly open and close your hands, visualizing the Lao Gong points opening and gathering energy, then cupping to contain it.
- Heaven and Earth Connection:
- Stand tall, with your arms relaxed at your sides.
- As you inhale, imagine energy rising through your Yong Quan points and collecting at your center.
- As you exhale, visualize that energy flowing upward and out through your Lao Gong points.
- Walking with Energy Flow:
- Practice mindful walking, focusing on the connection between your feet and the ground.
- Visualize energy entering through your Yong Quan points with each step and being released through your Lao Gong points as you swing your arms naturally.
Common Challenges and Tips for Mastery
1. Difficulty Feeling the Energy
Many beginners struggle to “feel” the energy at first.
Tip: Focus on visualization and patience. The sensation will come with practice.
2. Overthinking the Movements
Focusing too much on technique can make movements stiff.
Tip: Relax and allow the visualizations to guide you.
3. Disconnect Between Hands and Feet
Some people find it hard to coordinate their upper and lower body.
Tip: Slow down your practice and focus on the breath to synchronize movement.
Why Lao Gong and Yong Quan Matter
Opening your Lao Gong and Yong Quan points transforms your Tai Chi practice. It creates a tangible connection between your body and the energy around you, making your movements more powerful, fluid, and intentional.
This principle is also a metaphor for life: we must stay grounded (through our Yong Quan points) while reaching out and giving back (through our Lao Gong points). By practicing this balance, we cultivate harmony within ourselves and with the world.
Join the Conversation
Have you explored the concept of opening your Lao Gong and Yong Quan points in your practice?
- What sensations did you notice?
- How does this principle change the way you move and connect with your environment?
Share your experiences in the comments or join one of our classes to deepen your practice.
Discover More in Finding the Heart
This principle, along with many others, is explored in our book, Finding the Heart. It’s a guide to unlocking the deeper layers of Tai Chi, blending movement, philosophy, and personal growth.
Ready to take your practice to the next level? Join us for a class! Together, we’ll explore the art of connecting Heaven and Earth through mindful movement.
Let’s open the gates and let the energy flow.