Many qigong enthusiasts are often confused about the relationship between Daoyin and qigong. The main source of confusion is not understanding the differences and connections between the two. Let’s explore the official explanations and delve deeper to clarify their relationship.
Daoyin, also known as “Daoyin Xingqi” (guiding and directing qi), is based on the theories of meridians, internal organs, qi, and blood circulation.
It involves gentle, rhythmic body movements and mental focus to guide the flow of qi and blood through the meridians and organs, aiming to prevent and treat physical and mental illnesses.
There are two types of Daoyin techniques: physical movement Daoyin and static mental Daoyin. The former focuses on seeking stillness through movement, while the latter finds movement within stillness.
Both methods combine motion and stillness, body and mind, each with its strengths and complementary benefits.
According to the ancient text “Lüshi Chunqiu • Gule,” during ancient times, people lived in damp and cold conditions due to frequent rain. This led to various health issues.
A tribal leader named Tao Tang created a form of dance to help people improve their circulation and eliminate illnesses caused by dampness.
This dance evolved into a form of Daoyin.
In 1973, two ancient texts on Daoyin were discovered in the Mawangdui Han tombs in Changsha.
One of them, “Quegu Shiqi,” describes the practice of guiding qi, while the other, “Daoyin Tu,” contains 44 illustrations of Daoyin postures used for both fitness and healing.
These texts provide insight into ancient medical and fitness practices.
In 1984, another ancient text on Daoyin, “Yinshu,” was unearthed from a Han tomb in Zhangjiashan, Hubei.
This book, divided into five sections, covers seasonal health preservation, various Daoyin techniques, Daoyin prescriptions for treating illnesses, fitness exercises, and the causes and prevention of diseases.
It essentially serves as a Daoyin textbook from that era.
Qigong is a traditional Chinese practice that promotes health, longevity, and disease prevention. It involves regulating the breath, body movements, and mental focus (often referred to as the “three regulations”) to strengthen the body, prevent and treat illnesses, enhance physical fitness, and develop potential abilities.
Qigong is primarily based on deep abdominal breathing techniques that significantly improve heart and lung function, digestion, and absorption while promoting inner calmness.
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, qigong is a skill that integrates body, breath, and mind regulation into a cohesive practice.
Like Daoyin, the origins of qigong are rooted in the ancient text “Lüshi Chunqiu • Gule,” which records the early development of qigong and Daoyin practices.
In 1975, a painted and sculpted human figure was found on a pottery jar from the Majiayao culture period in Qinghai, dating back over 5,000 years.
The figure is depicted with eyes slightly closed, mouth slightly open, and a rounded belly, standing in a posture associated with ancient breathing exercises.
This artifact reflects the early practice of qigong and the concept of yin-yang integration.
Both Daoyin and qigong share the same origins and involve using physical movements to enhance the circulation of qi and blood. For qigong enthusiasts, the two practices are nearly identical in their fundamental principles.
While Daoyin and Qigong share many similarities, there are also some key differences.
The most fundamental difference is that Daoyin predates qigong and later developed into qigong. Over time, qigong evolved and became more widespread, leading many to believe that Daoyin is a subset of qigong.
After discussing with many qigong practitioners, I think we all agree that qigong evolved from Daoyin and has a broader definition. In this sense, we can say that Daoyin is a part of qigong.
There are also some unsupported claims, such as “Daoyin was elevated to a revered status during the Republican era and renamed qigong.” While these claims lack concrete evidence, we can see that most people believe that qigong developed from Daoyin.
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