Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

Benefits Associated with
Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong

Exercises to benefit the Digestive System - Stomach and Spleen.

These notes are intended to support the practice of accredited instructors and those who have attended a seminar or a series of lessons on the exercises. Therefore they contain only minimal references to the basic mechanics of the movements - "right hand lifts to shoulder, step left" etc, and instead provide some guidance on the key points of each exercise, the acupoints involved, classical references and specific benefits where appropriate.

In China it is widely accepted that these exercises can cure/regulate prolapse, constipation, piles, indigestion, ulcers and can help with diabetes, hepatitis and other serious conditions. However, one needs to be extemely cautious about making such claims in the West as little conventional scientific evidence is available. Nevertheless, one may be confident that regular practice of these exercises will indeed benefit the digestive system and related disorders.

These are important exercises in Chinese culture because it is believed that there are three things that you should do regularly to ensure good health: (1) clash the teeth; (2) swallow saliva; (3) massage the stomach - all of which appear in these movements.

In fortifying the organs identified above, use may be made of related meridians and practitioners are recommended to include some basic study of TCM theory to clarify this aspect of Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong. In the exercises for the Digetive System, three important points must be remembered:

1. THE MOVEMENT is slow, supple and harmonious. Its form is precise. It is performed in time with the music.
2. THE BREATHING is coordinated with the music and announced by the numbers 1-8, the preferred breathing style is abdominal. On inhaling (odd numbers except where specifically indicated), the lower abdomen inflates, breathe in through the nose with the tongue against the palette. At the end of the inhalation contract the anus. On exhaling (even numbers except where indicated), the abdomen deflates and the anus relaxes. Expiration can be through the nose or the mouth. The preferred way is through the nose. Expiration is silent with the tongue lowered.
3. THE MENTAL FOCUS. One should be completely relaxed before commencing. One should concentrate on the points indicated. Focus should not be too intense. It should be light like a cloud.

1. Kou Chi Yan Jin (Clashing the Teeth and Swallowing the Saliva)

Stand with the feet together and parallel, body upright. On the announcement of the title of the exercise place the left palm on the body just below the navel against the Conception Vessel, with the index finger slightly raised. Take hold of the left wrist with the right hand allowing the right thumb to rest on the Neiguan point.

KEY POINTS:

• When inhaling raise the toes
• When exhaling lower the toes and grip the floor
• When exhaling clash the teeth together 5-8 times
• Press Neiguan point strongly when exhaling
• Swallow the saliva as it is secreted
• Rotate the hands around the right thumb to change hand positions after the count of 8
• Concentrate the mind on Dantian.

BENEFITS:

• Improves the circulation around the gums and teeth
• Reinforces the firmness of the teeth
• Improves digestion
• Regulates the blood pressure
• Calms the mind.

Teeth are the first gateway to the digestive system. Clashing the teeth maintains gum health and encourages saliva which is important to the digestive system. Saliva is considered a life treasure. The original Chinese character for life was formed by a combination of the characters for the tongue and water, hence the tongue and saliva are synonymous with life and health. Neguan is an effective point for treating various digestive disorders. It is the point pressured by travel bands used to avoid travel sickness. Gripping the floor with the toes benefits the spleen, raising the toes benefits the kidneys.

2. Zhai Xing Huan Dou

(Pick Stars from the Sky and Transform the World)

KEY POINTS:

• Stand upright with the head suspended from Baihui
• Turn the body to the fullest extent possible
• Massage the front of the body with the "Tiger's Mouth"
• When inhaling raise the toes
• When exhaling lower the toes and grip the floor
• When lifting the hand push with the heel of the hand
• When lifting the hook above the head lift the back of the wrist to give the greatest stretch
• Stretch from Yinbai-Zhourun
• Place the back of the rear hand on Mingmen
• Concentrate the mind on Dantian.

BENEFITS:

• Reinforces the Stomach and Spleen
• Tonifies "Original Qi"
• Helps to treat and prevent digestive problems and treats lumbar pains associated with coldness of the kidneys.

NOTE: Pushing with the heel of the hand benefits the spleen. The plucking action opens Zhourun, especially by lifting the wrist.

Back to contents