Daoyin

[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.

Some of the exercises act as a means of sedating, some as a stimulant or a tonification, whilst others help in the activation, harnessing and cultivation of internal Ch'i energy and the external Li life force.

Through the excellent health that is gained thereby, they all assist in the opening up of the whole body, enhance the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, increase the mental capacity of the brain, give greater mind control, increase perception and intuition, uplift moral standards, and give tranquillity to the mind, which in turn confers inner harmony and greater happiness.

As time goes by, these exercises slowly open up the functional and control channels that feed and activate the energy, nervous and psychic centres, enabling the individual to have a deeper understanding, consciousness and awareness of the spiritual world.

[9]According to Mantak Chia the practice of daoyin has the following effects: harmonization of the qi, relaxation of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, training of the "second brain" in the lower abdomen, improvement of health and structural alignment.

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.
Original Daoyin Tu Drawings of Guiding and Pulling in the Mawangdui Silk Texts
Reconstructed Daoyin tu Drawings of Guiding and Pulling in the Mawangdui Silk Texts