There is a basic qi'gong form which goes with four-square breathing. Practitioners will recognize it: standing with feet shoulder width apart, hands held out front; on inhale hands are raised from ~hip high to shoulder high with arms extended and relaxed; then hold breath in and drag hands ~shoulder high closer to body; exhale and lower hands closer to body from shoulder high to hip high; hold breath out and drag hands forward away from body; all with 4 even time periods for each movement.
When doing four-square breathing, the circulation of hands is in the opposite direction as the usual microcosmic orbit circulation. Microcosmic orbit goes from base of spine up to head on inhale, circulating down one's front on exhale. While doing four-square breathing, is there a recommendation on what to visualize? The square circulated by the hands along with the microcosmic orbit come together to form a sort of infinity sign, but it feels strange to have two opposite direction cycles going on at once. Maybe that is the point! I'm looking for guidance from someone familiar with the exercise.
