Benefits Associated with Daoyin Yangsheng Gong

All Dao Yin Gong exercises have been subjected to testing by the Beijing University of Physical Education and various Chinese Government bodies. We are in no position to describe the quality of those tests or the validity of the findings, but they are presented below for your information and interest. In common with all Chinese exercise systems for health, the findings are based on the understanding that the practitioner undertakes the exercises regularly and over a sustained period of time. There are no substantial benefits to be gained from haphazard, infrequent practice, although participants may well enjoy the fact that they are doing something rather than nothing.

Mark Atkinson

Exercises to benefit the Digestive System - Stomach and Spleen (cont.)

3. Bawang Judin (Titan Lifts the Weight)

Key Points

When bending the legs, relax the waist

Try to make the thighs parallel to the ground

Same stretch of the Spleen meridian as in exercise 2

Grip the floor with the toes when lowering the body (benefits the Spleen)

Keep the arms lightly rounded

Turn the head, not the body

Benefits

Prevents and treats bloating of the abdomen Alleviates poor digestion

Alleviates pains in the side of the abdomen Prevents haemorrhoids and anal prolapse

NOTE: Title refers to the First Emperor of China who was not a good king. The peasants revolted and their leader, whose name was Xiang Yu, named himself King of Huan. He was immensely strong and could lift one of the huge cauldrons used to cook rice for the army with one hand. Later on the cauldron came to symbolise the stability of the country. When performing this movement try to feel the power of the king.

NB: There is no lifting or lowering of the toes in this movement. Grasping of the toes stimulates Yinbai and also Lidui on the 2nd toe.

4. Dapeng Yasu (The Rock Presses its Crop)

MODIFICATION: It is now acceptable to only massage for a count offour in one direction (ie half the original number). The circling is also halved (ie two clockwise, two anti-clockwise).

Key Points

When massaging, turn the body in keeping with the massage movement

The two hands must work in harmony

Raise the toes on the in breath and lower them on the out breath

On the odd numbers, one hand is high and one is low

Massage downward as if inserting the hand into a pocket

When circling, join the Laogong point of each hand

When circling, begin clockwise (as it would appear to an observer) and after four, change hands and change direction

When circling, begin at the lower abdomen

When circling, breathe in from bottom to top, breathe out from top to bottom When making circles, press with the heel of the hand

Concentrate the mind on Dantien

Benefits

Helps to dissipate stagnant liver blood

Supports blood circulation

Reinforces the Stomach and Spleen

Dissipates stagnation and stasis

5. Jin Gang Rou Qui (The Giant Plays with Ball)

MODIFICATION: It is now acceptable to do only one round to the left and one to the right.

Key Points

When taking up the main position, push the fists down to 45 degrees

Look at the fists

Generate the movements from the shoulders Keep the arms as straight as possible

When stepping, bring the left hand back first - stepping right, right hand first

Inhale as the lead hand comes back, exhale as it goes forward

Keep arms tight to the body

Lift the toes of the arm which is coming back

Relax the stomach muscles but do not move the hips backward and forward

Concentrate the mind on Dantien

Benefits

Regulates the function of the Stomach and Spleen

Can be used to treat and prevent enteritis and chronic hepatitis, poor digestion, insomnia and anaemia

NOTE: Massages the Liver, Gall Bladder, Stomach and Spleen. Massages Laogong. One may feel the movement in the entrails and internal organs.

6. Chuikou Sanli (Pounding Zusanli)

MODIFICATION: It is now acceptable not to lift the leg but rather on each hit to step forward into an "empty stance" with the front heel raised and bend forward to strike the points indicated.

Key Points

Hit both sides of the raised leg with palms one palm patting Zusanli and the other striking Yinlingquan point

Exhale while slapping and inhale when lowering the leg and swinging the arms Strike on the count

Grip the floor with the toes of the supporting leg and keep the leg straight

On the second round of eight, change from palms to fists for pounding to replace slapping

The force of striking depends on the individual but should become stronger as the movements progress

Benefits

Prevents and treats hepatitis

Alleviates digestive problems and hypertension

Alleviates insomnia and pains in the lower limbs

7. Yingfeng Baichui (Pounding the Body like a Hammer Swinging in the Wind)

MODIFICATION: It is not acceptable to work at a different pace in which one strikes on both sides for each count, then return to the centre after the count of eight and then step to the right for the next eight.

Key Points

Make loose fists and keep the arms reasonably straight

Hit with the inside ofthe arm on the Tianshu point while at the same time striking with the rear arm in the area near to:

Huangzhong if you have piles or constipation (low)

Shenshu for diabetes or malfunction of the Kidneys (mid)

Weishu for Stomach and Spleen (high)

Breathe in when swinging the arms, breathe out when pounding

Avoid this exercise immediately after meals Focus the mind on Dantien

Diabetics benefit from striking Guanyuan point on the front

Contra-indicated for pregnant women

Benefits

Reinforces the kidneys and fortifies the "original qi"

Supports digestion and nourishes internal organs

NOTE: Unless you are walking, the internal organs are not moving. This exercise is a good substitute for walking.

Bih Liangchi (A White Crane on the Wing)

Key Points

On the last movement of the previous exercise, swing both arms straight out to the front, then bring them slowly down to the thighs

Rotate both arms inward. Place both hands near Dantien with Hegu points between the thumbs and index fingers tightly pressed against the body

Pull the hands upwards along both sides of the Ren front middle meridian, the arms bending in an arc with the elbows held higher than the shoulders and fingers pointing downward

Lift the heels as high as possible

Harmonise the breathing with the movement of the arms

In the second part of the exercise, swing the arms like wings

At the end of the movement cross the hands over Dantien, for men the left hand touches the body, for women the right

Concentrate the mind on Dantien

Benefits

Regulates circulation of all the meridians

Nourishes the Lungs

Reinforces the Stomach and Spleen

Calms the Heart and mind

Aupressure points involved in these exercises:

Senshu

Bladder 23 - Kidney point

Mingmen

Governing Vessel Du 4 - Gate of Life

Laogong

Pericardium 8 - Labour Palace

Neiguan

Pericardium 6 -Inner Pass

Baihui

Governing Vessel Du 20 - Hundred Meetings

Yinbai

Spleen 1 - Hidden White

Lidui

Stomach 45 - Strict Exchange

Tianshu

Stomach 25 - Heaven's Pivot

Huanzhong

Extra Point - Circle Centre

Weishu

Bladder 21- Stomach Point

Guanyuan

Governing Vessel Ren 4 - Home of Yuan Qi

Zusanli

Stomach 36 - Leg Three Miles

Yinglinquan

Spleen 9 - Yin Mound Spring

Longfei Newsletter Volume 6 Issue 1 Table of Contents