Daoyin

For the Chinese actress surnamed Yin, see Yin Tao.

Daoyin
Traditional Chinese導引
Literal meaning"guide and pull"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyindǎoyǐn
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingdou6 jan5
The Daoyin Tu, a painting on silk depicting the practice of daoyin; unearthed in 1973 in Hunan Province, China, from the 168 BC Western Han burial site of Mawangdui, Tomb Number 3.

Daoyin is a series of cognitive body and mind unity exercises practiced as a form of Daoist neigong, meditation and mindfulness to cultivate jing (essence) and direct and refine qi, the internal energy of the body according to traditional Chinese medicine.[1] These exercises are often divided into yin positions (lying and sitting) and yang positions (standing and moving).[2] The practice of daoyin was a precursor of qigong, and blended with the introduction of Indian yoga into China with the spread of Buddhism[3] [4]and was practised in Chinese Taoist monasteries for health and spiritual cultivation.[3] Daoyin is also said to be[5] a primary formative ingredient in the yin aspects of Chinese martial arts including the well-known "soft styles" of the Chinese martial arts, of tai chi,[6] and middle road styles like Wuxingheqidao.[7]

The main goal of daoyin is to create flexibility of the mind, thereby creating harmony between internal and external environments, which relaxes, replenishes and rejuvenates the body, developing in its practitioners a vital and healthy spirit.[2]

  1. ^ Wu, Yan; Fischer, Warren (1997). Practical therapeutics of traditional Chinese medicine. Brookline, Mass: Paradigm Publ. ISBN 978-0-912111-39-1.
  2. ^ a b Taoist Ways of Healing by Chee Soo. Chapter 11 "Tao Yin - Taoist Respiration Therapy". p. 113. Aquarian Press/Thorsons - HarperCollins, 1986.
  3. ^ a b Huang, Jane (1987). The Primordial Breath, Vol. 1. Original Books, Inc. ISBN 0-944558-00-3.
  4. ^ Chang, Miller, Stephen Thomas, Rick (1980). Chinese Yoga Internal Exercises for Health and Serenity of Body and Mind. Turnstone Press. ISBN 9780855001339.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Eberhard, Wolfram (1986). A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0-415-00228-1.
  6. ^ Lao, Cen (April 1997). "The Evolution of T'ai Chi Ch'uan". T'ai Chi: The International Magazine of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Vol. 21, no. 2. Wayfarer Publications. ISSN 0730-1049.
  7. ^ "Meditation Practices – To train the attention of mind & teach compassion". Mandalas Life. Retrieved 2024-10-23.