(1) It is said that the universe is filled with "Ki", and that "Ki" can be moved by one’s intention or focused will. By breathing in and imagining that you are gathering "Ki" from the universe into your tanden (a point in the lower abdomen), and then breathing out while lightly imagining the "Ki" flowing from your tanden, through your arms, and out from your palms and fingers, it seems that "Ki" can flow smoothly from the hands. It is well known that self-suggestion can cause sensations such as warmth or heaviness in the hands, and emitting "Ki" may be a similar kind of phenomenon. During this practice, the breathing used is abdominal breathing, with both inhalation and exhalation slightly slower than usual (about 20–30% slower). Briefly pausing at the transition from exhale to inhale, and again from inhale to exhale, seems to be helpful.
(2) Intention appears to be more effective during exhalation than inhalation, and "Ki" seems to flow more easily when exhaling. The moment after exhaling completely—just before beginning to inhale—is when this effect is at its peak. According to Yojiro Katayama, an expert in seitai (a Japanese system of body alignment and therapy), this brief moment between “exhale” and “inhale” is considered especially important in the seitai tradition.
Japanese
How to Radiate "Ki"
(3) Rather than thinking of emitting the "Ki" that originally resides within oneself, it is more effective to imagine drawing in "Ki" from the universe and allowing it to flow through your body and out again. If you believe you are using up your own "Ki", you may begin to feel as though you are depleting or exhausting your inner energy through healing.
(4) Once you’ve established a flow of "Ki" from the universe into your tanden, from your tanden into your hands, and from your hands outward, this stream will continue to flow naturally—from the universe to your tanden, to your palms, and then outward.
(5) Human consciousness inevitably fluctuates—such fluctuation is inherent to consciousness itself, and there is no consciousness that does not waver. As time passes, one’s focused intention fades, and the mind begins to drift toward other things. When you notice that the flow of "Ki" has diminished, once again imagine drawing the "Ki" of the universe into your tanden as you inhale, and as you exhale, imagine the "Ki" flowing from the tanden through your arms and out through your palms and fingers.
The cycle in which the flow of "Ki" weakens, stops, and then begins again appears to reflect the natural way that "Ki" moves.
(6) It is often felt that "Ki" flows more strongly from the Lao Gong (an energy point in the center of the palm) and from certain fingers—especially the middle and index fingers. When "Ki" is actively flowing, people often report a tingling sensation in the palms. Sometimes, the palms may appear pink or show a mottled mix of pink and white. Some individuals describe the sensation as if the Lao Gong is gently vibrating.