Qigong mode is a way of describing a state of awareness as taught to me by Master Wing Cheung. Master Cheung used excerpts from the classics to high-light the appropriate sense or goal for each of the four elements required to gain this advantageous state. I would suggest that starting and ending all Taiji and Qigong practices in Qigong mode would be advantageous to all students of the internal arts. 

“Strong the bone”

Here we focus on the skeletal alignment, particularly the spine. We want the bones to be properly aligned in order to carry the weight of the body with minimal musculature involvement. The spine needs to be as straight as possible with the chin slightly tucked so that the bai hui point is open to heavens. A trick here is not to use your neck muscles to tuck in the chin, instead elongate the neck and point the bai hui straight up and you’ll find the chin properly tucked.

“Empty the Chest”

What we are trying to accomplish here is a total relaxation of the musculature of the body. Drop the shoulders, drop the lower back… and totally relax.

“Sink the Qi”

Master Cheung explained that dropping the Qi to the lower dan tian is no more difficult than leading it there with your Yi (mind). All you have to do is FOCUS your attention on the lower dan tian and create a centre point to act as the central sun of your solar system.

When done correctly you will be very balanced and rooted.

“Clear the Mind”

After the above three elements have been accomplished, then one must stop thinking and doing, just be.

With practice the brainwave state will drop into theta and self-awareness will become the primary state of consciousness.