18 DanFengChaoYang 丹鳳朝陽

Red Phoenix Visits the Sun

Here there is a rising, perhaps of the Sun from horizon at down to noon overhead, the arms describing its path across the sky.

It feels a bit like reflecting from the Sun on water up into the sun itself.

Also there is a bit of a complement of red light rising to the white light descending of TiHuGuanDing 醍醐灌頂 "Heavenly Dew Purifies the Body".

I've noticed that recently when I do this movement I spontaneously open my mouth wide in a way that might look like a yawn, but doesn't feel like a yawn. It's not intentional -- I don't notice it until it is already happening.

A connection of breath between the Sun, supported by the hands and the Heart.

Master Wu says "Take a deep breath as you raise your arms over your head and hold your breath as long as you can. Exhale as you bring your arms down. Be mindful of lifting your perineum to hold onto the energy during your exhale."

With this and the next movement there's a noticeable difference in the energy body between keeping engaged with your root and relaxing into energetic incontinence. It can be tricky as you swoop down into the squat.

I think the challenge is to retain the raised energy without constricting, introducing rigidity. Maybe there is a meta-skill in QiGong of being firm but supple.