Hi Sifu - You have mentioned the healing sounds in some of the different courses you teach, but is there a course or mini course that features all six? Thanks .
That’s a good question. I first learned the 6 Healing Sounds from books, then casually through a conversation with my ex-teacher, then from a senior classmate, and later online from a few other teachers.
I never included them in my curriculum because I didn’t see the need—at least not at the time. Between Five Animal Play, One Finger Zen, Two Finger Zen, and the middle 6 Arhats, we already have plenty of vocalizations that cover a lot of ground.
Another issue was the lack of consensus. Different schools teach different sounds, and I didn’t have a clear method for deciding which version was more effective. Back then, I didn’t feel equipped to evaluate them. Now, I’ve got more skill and sensitivity, so it’s something I could revisit if needed.
We still don’t need them in our school, but there’s a case to be made for including them just because they’re widely practiced. I’d consider it someday, but probably not soon. Right now, tai chi fills a more important gap in the curriculum, and those programs need to come first.
Phil, If you are interested, Ken Cohen teaches healing sounds. I discovered them in his Essential QiGong DVD course. Here is a youtube link to that portion of the DVD. https://youtu.be/AAWONxCAqgU?si=yK46OwZ_qZs_VaCe 😎☯️🙏
Thanks for the sharing Sifu, really well timed too as I have been reading an interesting book called ‘The Oxygen Advantage’ which talks about the science behind breathing and the benefits of inhaling and exhaling through our nose. I was planning to ask you why we made the exhale in qigong a soft, mouth one with the haaa sound, but you explained it perfectly. It’s the opening and loosening the jaw, relaxing the vagus nerve, allowing qi flow and promoting healing.
For general breathing philosophy, when not practicing qigong, do you have a certain approach for this to support the work we do?
Glad you found that helpful, Ryan. Yeah, there's been a bit of a wave of books lately on just breathing through your nose. I do think that sticking to nose-only breathing is generally better than shallow, mouth-only breathing, but it really depends on what's going on. A lot of people just can't comfortably breathe through their nose. They need an accommodation. In that case, mouth-only breathing is literally their only option.
And it's worth remembering the Haaa Breath is just one tool in the box. There are many breathing techniques in the world of qigong and tai chi. For example, the Small Universe works well with nose-only breathing.
When you're moving through your day, outside of your dedicated practice, you're probably going to find yourself using a mix, kind of like we do in the 5-Phase Routine. If work's getting to you and you're feeling tight, just let it out with a sigh through your mouth. But if you're just sitting there, feeling good at your desk, then yeah, breathing through your nose is totally fine. Just make sure you're not letting tension build up in your jaw and tongue without realizing it.
Thanks for the well rounded guidance as always, Sifu.
I can definitely feel how the ‘Haaaa Breath’ creates that relaxation that really allows activation of the vagus nerve and appreciate the reminder not to let tension build up in that area.
I heartily approve of this message :) I find that this gently vocalized out-breath sends a wave of qi through me every darned time I do it. Every one. Like other commenters, it is absolutely a stress release valve. I teach it to my students in a group setting to start our day of studying Classical East Asian Medicine for animals and they all feel a bit self conscious on day 1. They are all a bit restrained and are looking around a bit nervously. By the last day of class we sound like a symphony of sound and everyone is agreeing that it is part of their favorite things. It is one of the quickest ways I know for a quick nervous system reset. I said elsewhere that I find Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow to be more important to my practice than the Forms (something I did NOT experience in tai chi or come into Qi Gong expecting). BUT I'll say that the Haaa breath is just the appetizer for FBSW - it sets it up perfectly. The two practices together have been so much more powerful for me than sitting meditation ever was (though I do benefit hugely from seated meditations that are for grounding and clearing my energy system - I am more referring to the usual seated meditation that I find ... hard). Thank goooodness I found Flowing Zen Qi Gong.
Awesome! That wave of qi is possible because you have good vagal tone. In other words, you are able to regulate your nervous system with your breath. How cool is that?
It's great that you're teaching your students. That self-conscious reaction is common with beginners. In my studio, I typically had intermediate and advanced students even in classes with fresh beginners. That was helpful because they definitely helped the beginners feel less self-conscious.
I like that idea that the Haaa Breathg is the appetizer. You're right that it sets things up. We wouldn't get the same effect with nose-only breathing.
What a great post! Using the "Haaa" sound has been such a useful and helpful thing for me. It did take me a while to get used to this at first but now, I do it without even thinking - in the dentists waiting room, in the supermarket queue, often I don't even know why I'm doing it but my body seems to derive such relaxation and release from it. I love the way my body relaxed in a downward wave when I make that sound, it's one of those moments when I am aware of every part of me, right down to the soles of my feet and it's as if that breath both draws me back into myself but also opens me up to nature and life around me. It's been a real godsend this last week and helped to keep me grounded and calm in situations where I could have been so stressed. The "Haaa" sound is a real qigong gem that lets all the frantic energy out and leaves you feeling so together.
A gem indeed! Sounds like you're making good use of it in daily life too. I'm sure you used it a lot this past week with everything going on! How do people manage without something like qigong? I don't get it.
Funny that my niece walked by making this sound just as I was reading your article. What stress was she releasing? She'd just discovered one of the cats had thrown up down the side of the couch in her office, and was on her way to get stuff to clean it up. :-)
Interesting! People of all ages do this stuff naturally to release stress. Kids make all sorts of sounds if we let them, and adults sigh and groan, even at work. I hope her cat is okay!
It's like a stress release valve.
It really is!
Hi Sifu - You have mentioned the healing sounds in some of the different courses you teach, but is there a course or mini course that features all six? Thanks .
That’s a good question. I first learned the 6 Healing Sounds from books, then casually through a conversation with my ex-teacher, then from a senior classmate, and later online from a few other teachers.
I never included them in my curriculum because I didn’t see the need—at least not at the time. Between Five Animal Play, One Finger Zen, Two Finger Zen, and the middle 6 Arhats, we already have plenty of vocalizations that cover a lot of ground.
Another issue was the lack of consensus. Different schools teach different sounds, and I didn’t have a clear method for deciding which version was more effective. Back then, I didn’t feel equipped to evaluate them. Now, I’ve got more skill and sensitivity, so it’s something I could revisit if needed.
We still don’t need them in our school, but there’s a case to be made for including them just because they’re widely practiced. I’d consider it someday, but probably not soon. Right now, tai chi fills a more important gap in the curriculum, and those programs need to come first.
Phil, If you are interested, Ken Cohen teaches healing sounds. I discovered them in his Essential QiGong DVD course. Here is a youtube link to that portion of the DVD. https://youtu.be/AAWONxCAqgU?si=yK46OwZ_qZs_VaCe 😎☯️🙏
Thanks for the sharing Sifu, really well timed too as I have been reading an interesting book called ‘The Oxygen Advantage’ which talks about the science behind breathing and the benefits of inhaling and exhaling through our nose. I was planning to ask you why we made the exhale in qigong a soft, mouth one with the haaa sound, but you explained it perfectly. It’s the opening and loosening the jaw, relaxing the vagus nerve, allowing qi flow and promoting healing.
For general breathing philosophy, when not practicing qigong, do you have a certain approach for this to support the work we do?
Glad you found that helpful, Ryan. Yeah, there's been a bit of a wave of books lately on just breathing through your nose. I do think that sticking to nose-only breathing is generally better than shallow, mouth-only breathing, but it really depends on what's going on. A lot of people just can't comfortably breathe through their nose. They need an accommodation. In that case, mouth-only breathing is literally their only option.
And it's worth remembering the Haaa Breath is just one tool in the box. There are many breathing techniques in the world of qigong and tai chi. For example, the Small Universe works well with nose-only breathing.
When you're moving through your day, outside of your dedicated practice, you're probably going to find yourself using a mix, kind of like we do in the 5-Phase Routine. If work's getting to you and you're feeling tight, just let it out with a sigh through your mouth. But if you're just sitting there, feeling good at your desk, then yeah, breathing through your nose is totally fine. Just make sure you're not letting tension build up in your jaw and tongue without realizing it.
Thanks for the well rounded guidance as always, Sifu.
I can definitely feel how the ‘Haaaa Breath’ creates that relaxation that really allows activation of the vagus nerve and appreciate the reminder not to let tension build up in that area.
I heartily approve of this message :) I find that this gently vocalized out-breath sends a wave of qi through me every darned time I do it. Every one. Like other commenters, it is absolutely a stress release valve. I teach it to my students in a group setting to start our day of studying Classical East Asian Medicine for animals and they all feel a bit self conscious on day 1. They are all a bit restrained and are looking around a bit nervously. By the last day of class we sound like a symphony of sound and everyone is agreeing that it is part of their favorite things. It is one of the quickest ways I know for a quick nervous system reset. I said elsewhere that I find Flowing Breeze Swaying Willow to be more important to my practice than the Forms (something I did NOT experience in tai chi or come into Qi Gong expecting). BUT I'll say that the Haaa breath is just the appetizer for FBSW - it sets it up perfectly. The two practices together have been so much more powerful for me than sitting meditation ever was (though I do benefit hugely from seated meditations that are for grounding and clearing my energy system - I am more referring to the usual seated meditation that I find ... hard). Thank goooodness I found Flowing Zen Qi Gong.
Awesome! That wave of qi is possible because you have good vagal tone. In other words, you are able to regulate your nervous system with your breath. How cool is that?
It's great that you're teaching your students. That self-conscious reaction is common with beginners. In my studio, I typically had intermediate and advanced students even in classes with fresh beginners. That was helpful because they definitely helped the beginners feel less self-conscious.
I like that idea that the Haaa Breathg is the appetizer. You're right that it sets things up. We wouldn't get the same effect with nose-only breathing.
Oh that is so interesting re: vagal tone. I'd love to know more - maybe a future article? Keep 'em coming! <3
What a great post! Using the "Haaa" sound has been such a useful and helpful thing for me. It did take me a while to get used to this at first but now, I do it without even thinking - in the dentists waiting room, in the supermarket queue, often I don't even know why I'm doing it but my body seems to derive such relaxation and release from it. I love the way my body relaxed in a downward wave when I make that sound, it's one of those moments when I am aware of every part of me, right down to the soles of my feet and it's as if that breath both draws me back into myself but also opens me up to nature and life around me. It's been a real godsend this last week and helped to keep me grounded and calm in situations where I could have been so stressed. The "Haaa" sound is a real qigong gem that lets all the frantic energy out and leaves you feeling so together.
A gem indeed! Sounds like you're making good use of it in daily life too. I'm sure you used it a lot this past week with everything going on! How do people manage without something like qigong? I don't get it.
There was so much Haaa-ing I must have sounded like a deflating beach ball! Qigong is now my lifetime companion.
Funny that my niece walked by making this sound just as I was reading your article. What stress was she releasing? She'd just discovered one of the cats had thrown up down the side of the couch in her office, and was on her way to get stuff to clean it up. :-)
Interesting! People of all ages do this stuff naturally to release stress. Kids make all sorts of sounds if we let them, and adults sigh and groan, even at work. I hope her cat is okay!