In the Chinese tradition, the body has eight "hollows" (八虚, bā xū) — the crease points where qi and fluid tend to gather and stall: two elbow creases, two armpits, two hip creases, two knee creases. Eight hollows, eight doors. The old saying is that these are the places where the body "keeps its weather."
The tapping routine is the tradition's simplest daily maintenance: a hollow palm, nine gentle taps at each spot, five quiet minutes in the evening. This page tells you exactly what the program covers, who it suits, and who should skip it — no mystery, no exaggerated promises.
What You'll Learn (the Full Syllabus)
- All 8 locations, precisely. Where each hollow actually is, with the "two finger-widths" style landmarks so you find them on the first try — not a vague diagram.
- The technique. Hand shape (a hollow, cupped palm — never a fist), force (gentle, springy, comfortable), rhythm (about one tap per second, like a slow heartbeat).
- The count. 9 taps per hollow, always both sides, working down the body: elbows → armpits → hip creases → knees. The whole circuit is roughly 5 minutes.
- Timing. Why the evening slot works (the day's stagnation "sits down" at night), and how to keep it after dinner but before bed.
- What normal feels like. Warmth, mild flush, a loose easy feeling. Bruising is not a goal and not a virtue — if you mark, you are tapping too hard.
- The stop-list. The complete who-should-skip list, below, verbatim.
How the Program Works
There is no paywall on the practice itself. The program bundles what actually exists:
- The complete free guide on this site — every location, the exact technique, the counts, the cautions, and the common mistakes. It is the whole routine; nothing is held back behind a purchase. Read the full tapping guide →
- The daily companion on Telegram — one small practice reminder or tip each day, free, so the routine survives past day three. Join the channel →
- The deeper practice, in a book — for those who want the broader standing-and-breath tradition the tapping fits into, our Standing Qigong book ($3.99 on Amazon) pairs the evening tapping with the morning standing practice: tap to release, stand to settle.
A Sample Evening Circuit (Try It Tonight)
| Step | Where | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elbow creases (2) | Cup palm, 9 gentle taps along the inner crease, each arm |
| 2 | Armpits (2) | Arm raised, 9 taps into the soft hollow, each side |
| 3 | Hip creases (2) | Standing, 9 taps where the thigh meets the torso, each side |
| 4 | Knee creases (2) | Leg slightly bent, 9 taps behind each knee |
| 5 | Finish | Two slow breaths, shoulders dropped. Done — go to your wind-down |
Total: 72 taps, about 5 minutes. If you lose count, count the location, not the taps — the sequence matters more than the arithmetic.
Who This Is For
- You sit most of the day and feel "creaky and heavy" by evening.
- You want one tiny routine you can actually keep — five minutes, no mat, no app, no clothes change.
- You like rituals with a story: this one has been kept in households for generations.
- You already do the evening foot soak and want a natural first step before it.
Who Should Skip It (Read This Whole Box)
- Anyone pregnant — the armpit and hip-crease hollows in particular are traditionally avoided. Skip the whole routine rather than part of it.
- Anyone on blood thinners, with a clotting disorder, or a history of DVT — even gentle percussion is not worth the risk. Ask your doctor first.
- Broken or infected skin, rashes, or recent surgery in any hollow area — wait until healed.
- Immediately after a full meal, after alcohol, or during a fever — this is an evening-on-an-evening-keel practice, not a pick-me-up.
- Anyone wanting a "detox" or a treatment. This is maintenance, like airing out a room. It supports comfort and routine — it does not treat disease.
What It Is Not
No app, no subscription, no "60-page PDF," no members' portal — the practice is fully explained on the free guide page, and everything on it is free to use tonight. What we sell elsewhere (books, herbal packs) exists because some people want the next step, not because the first step is incomplete.
Start Tonight — Free
The complete guide with all 8 locations, the technique, and the cautions. Read it now, tap tonight.
Read the Full Tapping Guide →One small practice tip every day, free on Telegram.
Join the Telegram Channel →Pair the evening release with the morning stand — the book.
Standing Qigong Book on Amazon →Educational content only — not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Tapping is traditionally used as a comfort and relaxation routine and does not treat any medical condition. If you are pregnant, take blood-thinning medication, or have any health concern, consult your healthcare provider before starting.