Editor: Jin Hongzhu;
Publisher: Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers
ISBN: 7532396827, 9787532396825; 1st edition in 2009; Paperback
Size: 23.8 x 16.8 x 1.2 cm, 164 pages; Language: Chinese-English
Description
Chinese traditional exercises practiced in Tuina have a long history. Even
thousnands of years ago, the Chinese nation created the method of " Dao Yin An
Qiao" to prevent and cure diseases during the process of physical labor and
treatment. "An Qiao", after continuous reformations, it has developed to Tuina
therapy and massage, what we are using to treat the diseases now; while "Dao
Yin" is just a generation of earliest sprout and embryonic form of various
exercises practiced in the ancient time. At that time, the meaning of "Dao Yin",
Just as the understanding of Zhuang Zi, a well known philosopher in the periods
of Spring-Autumn and Warring States two thousands years ago, was ' .. Breathing
in and out, exhaling the dirty air and inhaling the fresh air, and imitating the
movements of bear walking and bird flying are the guarantee of longevity.' Thus,
it tells us that 'Dao Yin' is a kind of method by moving the body with
respiration and imitating the movements of animals to realize longevity. Later,
Hua Tuo, a famous doctor at the end of Han dynasty, created the earliest
exercise 'Five Animals Game' for strengthening the body condition by taking the
reference from the folk. Through imitating the movements and shapes of tiger
pouncing, deer stretching, bear walking, monkey jumping and bird flying, he
summarized his experience and feeling of practice as '.... moving the body may
help digestion of grain, promote blood circulation in the vessels and keep away
from the diseases like a door-hinge never worm-eaten.' And such saying provided
not only the first practical exercise, but also the powerful theoretic basis for
Chinese