Research On Taoist Exercises Of Health Preservation

Objective: In China's long history, people have been exploring the law of human life and have summarized a series of theories and methods for self-care through the practice of special observation. Taoist exercises of Health Preservation in particular are among the most prominent. In this paper, the application of scientific and philosophical notions are employed to study the characteristics of Taoist exercises, the mechanism and functions of which are analyzed and discussed, so as to provide theoretical basis for traditional exercises and technical support for the creation of new exercises.Methods: Literature review, logic analysis and interviews with experts etc. are used in this paper. The theoretical basis and the origin of Taoism are explored, followed by the classification of Taoist exercises, and typical and individual cases from each category are analyzed in terms of traditional Chinese medicine, physiology, psychology, etc.Major conclusions: 1"Chen Tuan 24 exercises of Sitting Posture"from physical conditioning exercises are taken as an example for part of the research, showing that this exercise is a concrete manifestation of the idea of Taoist harmony between man and nature. The achievement of a proper coincidence between the moves of the designed exercises and the operation of the aponeurotic channels are aime at, thus bringing forward suggestied prescriptions for regimen of exercises.2"Tai xi"as a respiratory adjustment method is taken as an example, showing that respiration is closely related with mental status."Tai xi"is the external reflection of the respiratory system when psychological status inherent is in extreme quietude, which is also a natural response when the body's energy consumption is at the minimum. It is the results of an interaction between psychological adjustment and respiratory adjustment through long-term practice."Tai xi"training must go through a long period of the practice of respiratory adjustment before moving to the breath retaining exercise, in order to avoid harm or injury to the body.Tai Chi Chuan may be practiced in conformity with the "Knacky Breathing Principle of Six Words" in order to enhance the therapeutic effect. There is no requirement of a fixed pattern for the movements and the six words during the entire set of exercise, while incidence correspondence can be adopted when segmented single movement is practiced.3"Shou yi","Shou qiao"and"Cun xiang"are taken as examples to study adjustment of awareness."Shou yi"is the relaxed state of consciousness through adjustment to achieve a peaceful status of anatman. The exercise with the elimination of the subject-object dichotomy is an altered status of consciousness (ASC)."Shou qiao"is the practice of having consciousness focused on parts of the body, which is only a way to bring to focus one's cluttered attention to achieve the quiet and tranquil status of mind towards a total ethereal blankness, with no rigid concentration, thus achieving a benefit to body and mind; deliberate emphasis on the awareness of breathing should be avoided so as to stay away from harmful deviation. To avoid such undesirable results, it is necessary to achieve the combination of relaxation and tranquility, folowing a natural and step-by-step pattern in practice."Cun xiang"is to improve bodily functions through imagined scenes, such as imaginary scenes of interior body and/or the outer universe."Huang ting neijing jing" is a representative masterpiece of the Taoist imaginary scenes inside the body. It is a successful case of the recovery of the sick with the combination of Chinese traditional medicine, psychology and of Taoist thought.. It may serve as an important guiding principle of great significance with a good combination of modern psychology and medicine for a multi-dimensional treatment of different diseases.4"Nei dan shu"is a system of unique training methods through the regulation of internal consciousness. On one hand it reduces the physical and mental stimulation as much as possible by improving the cognizance and perception, and on the other, through the nervous system training, more subtle links are established between the various systems thus enhancing the stability and the orderly status of the entire body, so as to help people to achieve a higher degree of harmony in physical and mental health.