Daoyin Bao Jian Gong (Daoyin for General Health)

1.  Regulating the Breath

  • straighten arms on way up, cock wrists and drop elbows on way down

  • co-ordinate arms with bending & straightening of legs

  • do not lean forward or backward, but slightly shift weight forward when arms begin to rise.

  • concentrate thought on Dantian or Laogong point

Benefits: heart, stomach, spleen 

2. Push the Boat Downstream

  • keep the upper body vertical

  • bend the back leg as you sit back

  • keep the elbows down

  • keep the arms bent when pushing.

  • concentrate thought on Laogong point

Benefits: heart, lungs

3. Carry the Sun and the Moon on the Shoulders

  • ensure movement comes from the wrist & not the shoulder 

  • angle between upper arm & forearm is about 100 degrees

  • hands are above shoulders & elbows below shoulders

  • concentrate thought on Mingmen point

Benefits: kidneys, bladder, lungs

4. A Roc Spreads its Wings

  • co-ordinate arms & legs 

  • on forward movements, stretch up as high as possible while keeping waist relaxed

  • concentrate thought on Dantian point

  • ensure there is a good space between the hands when raised

Benefits: triple heather, pericardium

5. Lift the Millstone

  • try to keep back upright throughout exercise

  • when rising, try to "lift stone with the breath not with the muscles"

  • concentrate thought on Dantian point

Benefits: stomach, spleen

6. Gaze at the Moon through the Window

  • at beginning of third movement turn back foot first

  • when squatting, keep body straight, wind legs tightly

  • concentrate thought on Laogong point

Benefits: gall bladder, liver, heart, lungs, bladder, kidneys

7. Brush the Dust Against the Wind (Brush the Dust from the Coat Tails)

  • sweep arms wide

  • don't cock wrists

  • concentrate thought on Laogong point

Benefits: heart, lungs, large and small intestines

8.The God of Longevity Strokes his Beard

  • "stroke beard" on each even numbered call

  • when 'stroking beard" lift up Baihui point & give impression of radiating vigour 

  • concentrate thought on Dantian point during movements & be aware of

  • Hegu point (area between thumb & forefinger) when stroking beard.

Comprehensive Benefits