Since getting serious about qigong a month or two ago and committing myself to near daily practice (once or twice a week work gets in the way) I've noticed an increased awareness of my breathing throughout the day. Some of this is due to my own attention to it, and some of it seems to be occurring naturally. It's as if for much of the day I have a more rooted feeling due to this, and consequently I feel as if I exist more.
On the other hand, this has lead me to having an internal focus on my body and mind, with the world around me taking up a peripheral view in my mind's eye. I haven't really noticed this having a detrimental affect on my life, at least not yet. If anything it seems positive.
Everything I've read and/or watched says that Qi and spirit go where the mind's focus goes. If I am focusing on my lower dan tian, the fire there, and breathing into that area, am I stagnating my qi?
Also, I wonder if it's counterproductive since in some exercises the mind's focus is supposed to be on other areas of the body. Is it ok to have this central focus except when I am instructed to direct my mind to another energy center or if I feel as if that would be a natural extension of an exercise?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.