In Daoist neidan, the microcosmic orbit circulates qi along two channels — the governing vessel up the spine, the conception vessel down the front — joining them into one loop. The tradition holds this as a foundational inner-alchemy practice, traditionally opened and guided by a teacher rather than learned from a description alone.
Why this is hard
The governing vessel runs up the back, from the base of the spine to the crown; the conception vessel returns down the front, from crown to the same base. Neidan, Daoist inner alchemy, holds that joining these two into one continuous loop is where more advanced practice begins — and that the orbit is opened and guided by a teacher, not assembled from instructions alone.
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The governing vessel runs up the spine.
Because Daoist medicine holds this channel carries yang qi up the back of the body.
A line traced up the spine in the mind's eye, from the tailbone to the crown.
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The conception vessel runs down the front.
Because the tradition holds this channel carries yin qi back down the body's midline.
The loop continuing down the front, from the mouth toward the base of the body.
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Joining them is called the orbit.
Because neidan holds that circulating qi around both vessels in one loop is the practice's aim.
Two separate lines, in the tradition's account, becoming a single circling path.
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It's traditionally opened with a teacher present.
Because the tradition holds this practice is guided directly, not learned from a page alone.
A student sitting across from someone who has already walked the circuit for years.
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It's framed as inner alchemy, not exercise.
Because neidan describes refining qi into subtler states, not simply moving energy for fitness.
A practice held, in the tradition's own terms, as slow inner transformation.
The practice
If this interests you, read how Daoist teachers describe it, and learn it, if at all, from one. This page describes the map. It doesn't teach the circulation, and the tradition says it shouldn't be pieced together from descriptions.
One loop, two vessels, and a teacher the tradition says you need to open it properly.