| Daoyin | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 導引 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "guide and pull" | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Daoyin is a series of cognitive body and mind unity exercises practiced as a form ofDaoistneigong, meditation and mindfulness to cultivatejing (essence) and direct and refineqi, the internal energy of the body according totraditional Chinese medicine.[1] These exercises are often divided intoyin positions (lying and sitting) andyang positions (standing and moving).[2] The practice ofdaoyin was a precursor ofqigong, and blended with the introduction of Indian yoga into China with the spread of Buddhism[3][4] and was practised in Chinese Taoist monasteries for health and spiritual cultivation.[3]Daoyin is also said to be[5] a primary formative ingredient in theyin aspects ofChinese martial arts including the well-known "soft styles" of theChinese martial arts, oftai chi,[6] and middle road styles likeWuxingheqidao.[7]
The main goal ofdaoyin is to create flexibility of the mind, thereby creating harmony between internal and external environments, which relaxes, replenishes and rejuvenates the body, developing in its practitioners a vital and healthy spirit.[2]
A painted scroll on display at theHunan Provincial Museum and known as theDaoyin Tu found in tomb three atMawangdui in 1973 and dated to 168 BC shows coloured drawings of 44 figures in standing and sitting postures performing daoyin exercises. It is the earliest known physical exercise chart in the world, and illustrates a medical system which does not rely on external factors such as medication, surgery or treatments, but utilizes solely internal factors to prevent disease.
The images include men and women, young and old. Their postures and movements differ from one another. Some are sitting, some are standing, and still others are practicingDaoyintu or exercising using apparatuses.
Translation of the texts covering the document show that the early Chinese were aware of the need for both preventive and corrective breathing exercises.The exercises can be divided into three categories:
A typicaldaoyin exercise will involve movement of the arms and body in time with controlled inhalation and exhalation. Each exercise is designed with a different goal in mind, for example calmative effects or expanded lung capacity.
Some of the exercises act as a means of sedating, some as a stimulant or a tonification, whilst others help in the activation, harnessing and cultivation of internal Ch'i energy and the external Li life force. Through the excellent health that is gained thereby, they all assist in the opening up of the whole body, enhance the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, increase the mental capacity of the brain, give greater mind control, increase perception and intuition, uplift moral standards, and give tranquillity to the mind, which in turn confers inner harmony and greater happiness. As time goes by, these exercises slowly open up the functional and control channels that feed and activate the energy, nervous and psychic centres, enabling the individual to have a deeper understanding, consciousness and awareness of the spiritual world.[9]
According toMantak Chia the practice ofdaoyin has the following effects: harmonization of theqi, relaxation of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, training of the "second brain" in the lower abdomen, improvement of health and structural alignment.[10]
The spiritual aspects of Wuxingheqidao, Daoyin practice are outlined by Chinese Buddhist's and medical practitionerXieen as a way to unify the three centres or the mind allowing the body to relax becoming internally emotionally and spiritually stronger and outwardly softer and more flexible towards changes in the environment and everyday life.[11][12]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)8. Smith, Ronald and Carmone, Antonio (2022), Shadows of Mawangdui Animating the Daoyintu, Three Pines Press, ISBN 9781931483704
| Main topics |  | |
|---|---|---|
| TCM and philosophy | ||
| Traditional practices | ||
| Qigong forms and styles | ||
| Qigong masters |
| |
| Spiritual movements and politics | ||
| Related topics | ||