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Daoist classics state that the primordial qi circulates within the body, entering and exiting. In one shichen (two hours), there are 1,145 breaths; in a full day and night (24 hours), there are 13,740 breaths.

The entering and exiting breaths are said to reside at the deepest abyss connected to the heels. The qi moves without obstruction, continuous and faint as if present yet absent, motionless and silent, merging with the Dao. If the breath is heavy, accompanied by crying, shouting, chanting, or blowing like a flute, or if long singing and excessive speech damage the qi, these are not the way of health preservation. Therefore, in practice, the regulation of breathing must prioritize the speed and count of inhalation and exhalation.

The heart is likened to the sun and moon; this assertion is not false. Ancient immortals stated: When focusing on the heart, visualize the image of the sun, the size of a coin, located in the center of the heart, red in color with radiance. Let it rise from the heart to the throat, stop just before the teeth, and circle back through the stomach. Maintain this visualization for a long time until you can clearly see the heart and stomach when closing your eyes. Then exhale and swallow saliva thirty-nine times. Practice this at sunrise and noon. After one year, diseases will be eliminated; after five years, the body will glow; after eighteen years, one may attain the Dao. Walking under the midday sun leaves no shadow, warding off evil influences and disasters. Constantly keep the sun in the heart, and the elixir in the Niwang Palace (the upper Dantian). During the day, ingest the essence of the sun; at night, ingest the essence of the moon. To ingest the moon's essence, visualize white moonlight entering from the brain to the throat, reaching the teeth, and swallowing into the stomach. Another method suggests constantly visualizing the moon, but only practice ingesting it before the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and cease after the tenth day. As the moon's light wanes, it depletes heavenly qi, hence the cessation.

When beginning practice, regulate the breath, stabilize the qi, focus the mind, and concentrate the spirit. When guiding the energy, lift the feet and hook the toes, as if leaving the ground and floating in the air. When concluding practice, ensure clear yang rises and turbid yin descends, opening the gates and unblocking the meridians. The first nine diagrams illustrate the process of opening passages and distributing qi. The Standing Straight Diagram illustrates circulating qi to return to balance. Only the Fixed Body Diagram illustrates turning the Luoluo wheel, transporting the River Chariot, gathering herbs, refining the elixir, harmonizing the spirit, nurturing nature, entering and exiting meditation, becoming one with the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji). Ascending brings the sensation of pouring cream over the head; descending fills the Danxue (elixir cave); scattering reaches all directions; contracting hides tightly within. Continuous practice yields ineffable wonders.

Stand with hands arched, body straight as a pine tree. Do not leave gaps at the heels, Tiger's Mouth (Hegu area), or knees. Ears hang toward the shoulders, nose aligns with the chest. Close the eyes and gaze levelly at a point one chi ahead.