Daoyin‘s Concept

Daoyin Yangsheng Gongs (DYG) represents a comprehensive practice of fitness and health. It was created by Professor Zhang Guangde of Beijing Sport University in the 1970s, when he himself was on the brink of death - afflicted with coronary heart disease, tuberculosis and a hematological disease. DYG was based on an in-depth study of ancient Daoyin and Wushu fitness regimens, as well as, inherited ancestral techniques. As a regiment for health preservation, DYG adopts Yi Ching theory, as its foundation; the etiology and pathology of human behaviour, as evidential support; holistic and dialectical views, as well as, meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, as overall guidance. These three pillars of knowledge are, in turn, combined using techniques of modern biology and psychology to define an individualized exercise program that uses “physical form, breath and mental discipline” to assimilate "Three Regulations into One" to prevent and treat diseases and to extend life by stimulating human potential.

 

Daoyin - The term first appeared in the ancient classic Zhuangzi · Keyi (a chapter on mind development in The Book of Zhuangzi, a great Chinese philosopher of cir. 369-286 BC). It was first used in Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canons of the Yellow Emperor) to guide treatment of diseases. The current Chinese word character Dao (导) was written in ancient China as 導 (which has 道 [method，way] above寸 [which means “hand” here]. It means "vocalizing with the help of the hand as one pulls (the bow) with the hand." "Yin" (引) was written by the ancient Chinese as "" (with the left radical symbolizing an arm and the right half symbolizing a bow — note by the translator). In this case, Yin means "opening a bow by forming the shape of a drawn bow" (from the preface by Mr. Yuan Jing for the publication of Daoyin Yangsheng Gong.

 

Kangxi Dictionary (first published in 1716 as commissioned by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, a 12-volume authoritative dictionary that is still in use today) defines “Dao” (导) as "unplug" and "dredge". By that is meant guiding the flow of qi so that it runs freely in a coordinated, harmonious and natural fashion. “Yin” (引) means stretch or make longer. Extend like a bear stretching to look around or a bird spreading its body, wings and legs. This refers to stretching one’s body and limbs to make it soft, pliable, tough and resilient, on the one hand, and solid and firm, on the other. Therefore, "Daoyin is meant to “guide qi to reach harmony and stretch the body to make it soft'." (noted by Li Yi of the Jin Dynasty, 266-420 AD). In other words, Daoyin in ancient China was a fitness technique that combined breath exercise with limb movement. The famous Daoyin diagram in a silk painting of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC -8 AD) which was unearthed at the Mawangdui tomb site in Changsha, Hunan Province in 1973, corroborates this argument.

 

Yangsheng - (养生)  was known as “Shesheng” (摄生) in the beginning. “She (摄) means Yang (养) or nurturing, cultivating or maintaining" (from Chapter 50 of Master Heshang’s annotated version of Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu). The core of Yangsheng or nurturing life, is to do no harm, as described in “Yangsheng has as its essence causing no harm." (from Ge Hongyun of Jin Dynasty). The principle of causing no harm is to "avoid harm" as found in "those who know how to live, don't harm their lives. Hence the term health preservation." (from the chapter On Mourning • Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals).    

 

The key to avoiding harm is prevention, as expressed in "This is the reason why a sage does not treat a disease that has set in, but a disease before its onset; he does not deal with a problem in disarray, but before the emergence of disarray. For, if medicine is administered after a disease has taken shape and a chaos is dealt with after it has had its formation, it would be tantamount to digging a well when one is thirsty and forging weaponry shortly before a battle. Wouldn’t it be too late?” (from Plain Questions · Great Theory on Spirit Regulation in Four Seasons)

 

The starting point of prevention is the advocation of restraint and harmony, i.e., establishing and practicing a sound lifestyle so that various functions of the human body are not harmed. Furthermore, one must fully mobilize the potential vitality in one's body to achieve success in Yangsheng or health preservation. This is explained as follows: "Those who know the way learn from the yin-yang theory - attain harmony with techniques, restrain their diet, follow a regular daily life routine and refrain from exertion of energy. Thus, their form is in harmony with the spirit and they are able to live to their full potential for 100 years." (From the chapter On the Art of Health Cultivation in Ancient Times, Plain Questions • Inner Cannons of the Yellow Emperor).

 

Therefore, one may conclude that Daoyin Yangsheng Gong is a superior form of life management that achieves optimum health, longevity, happiness and peacefulness through the organic combination of physical exercise and mind control, that is, of Daoyin and Yangsheng.