Recently, writer Liu Liu shared her weight loss secret on Weibo, stating that by controlling her diet and practicing Daoyin (Guiding and Pulling), she lost a significant amount of weight in just one month. This has led many to wonder, what exactly is Daoyin? It sounds quite mysterious. Today, we invite Dr. Xiao Bin, Director of the Qigong Department at the Shanghai Qigong Research Institute, to unveil the mystery.
（Image from the Internet）
What is Daoyin?
Dr. Xiao explained that Daoyin can be understood in both broad and narrow senses. In a broad sense, Daoyin refers to Qigong (气功). In a narrow sense, it refers to specific methods within Qigong aimed at disease prevention, health maintenance, and wellness, which can be called Daoyin or Daoyin techniques. The most representative practice is called Donggong (动功), which involves combining mental focus, various breathing adjustments, and physical movements (including self-massage and tapping) in practice.
Dr. Xiao noted that the term Daoyin has existed since ancient times, referring to a self-cultivation method for physical and mental health. This includes practices like Hua Tuo’s Five Animal Frolics (华佗五禽戏), Yijin Jing (易筋经), and references in Zhuangzi (庄子) such as “Xiong Jing Niao Shen (熊经鸟伸)” and “Daoyin Tuo Na (导引吐纳)”, all of which are ancient Daoyin techniques. In modern times, Daoyin has been established as a term.
What are the Health Benefits of Daoyin?
Dr. Xiao stated that Daoyin has multiple health benefits—
(1) Soothe Meridians and Open Channels. According to TCM theory, where there is no flow, there is pain. If the meridians are blocked, Qi and blood cannot flow, leading to various ailments. Practicing Daoyin can help soothe the meridians and open the channels, alleviating or recovering from symptoms.
(2) Disease Prevention and Strengthening the Body. Daoyin is a method of self-cultivation for the body and mind, with noticeable effects in recovering from various diseases. It can alleviate and treat many chronic conditions such as heart disease, gastric issues, liver disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
(3) Balance Yin and Yang of Organs. TCM categorizes body constitutions into several types, including Pinghe (平和质), Qi Xu (气虚质), Tan Shi (痰湿质), Yin Xu (阴虚质), and Shi Re (湿热质). Except for the Pinghe constitution, the others are somewhat imbalanced. Practicing Daoyin can help balance the Qi, blood, Yin, and Yang of the organs, improving overall health and quality of life.
(4) Adjust Mental and Psychological State. Practicing Daoyin can balance mental and psychological states, elevating the spirit and leading to a sense of physical and mental well-being.
Are There Any Precautions for Practicing Daoyin?
Dr. Xiao emphasized that there are several important aspects to consider when practicing Daoyin—
(1) Always practice under the guidance of a professional. Dr. Xiao stressed that one should never practice blindly. Some individuals may think they understand the practice after a brief review of related materials and attempt to practice on their own. This can lead to many issues, resulting in a condition known as Qigong Deviation (气功偏差), which can have both physical and mental symptoms and is difficult to treat. Therefore, it is crucial to practice Daoyin under professional guidance.
(2) The following groups should avoid practicing Daoyin: ① Individuals with severe bacterial or viral infections. ② Those with organ failure. ③ Individuals with a history of mental illness or a family history of mental illness. Practicing Daoyin requires mental focus and certain special methods, which can easily trigger the onset of mental illnesses in these groups.
What are the Differences Between Daoyin and Physical Exercise?
(1) A key element in Daoyin practice is the “Three Adjustments”—adjusting the body, adjusting the breath, and adjusting the mind. Adjusting the body involves modifying physical movements and postures; adjusting the breath involves regulating one’s breathing state; and adjusting the mind involves tuning one’s mental awareness. Daoyin practice requires the integration of body, breath, and intention. In contrast, physical exercise primarily focuses on bodily movement, occasionally incorporating breath or intention.
(2) Daoyin emphasizes internal cultivation of Qi, aiming to enhance the body’s internal essence, energy, and spirit, thereby accumulating these qualities for longevity. Physical exercise, on the other hand, is more about external exertion and consumption, which depletes energy and spirit, requiring recovery through sleep and nutrition, ultimately strengthening bodily functions through this cyclical process.
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Expert Profile
Dr. Xiao Bin is the Director of the Qigong Department at the Shanghai Qigong Research Institute and an Associate Chief Physician, specializing in the treatment of chronic diseases such as neck and lower back pain, joint diseases, allergic rhinitis, constipation, hemorrhoids, and Qigong deviation using acupuncture, massage, and medical Qigong.