Tao Yoga 12 - exercises 1 to 8

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Tao Yoga - balance body,mind, spirit...

China -
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Tao Yoga or DaoYin exercises were an ancient precursor of Qigong, specifically the variety sometimes known as neigong, and were practised in Chinese Taoist monasteries for health and spiritual cultivation in ancient times.

In modern times DaoYin has often been refered to as -- Taoist Yoga. DaoYin can be translated as "Guiding or leading the flow of Blood and Qi in the Body" and we find references to this ancient exercises from as far back as 500 BC.

Ancient DaoYin is also said to be a primary formative ingredient in the well-known soft style Chinese martial art T'ai Chi Ch'uan. There are many various sets of DaoYin: Five Animals Play, Heavenly Gate, Su Dongpo's Massage, Seven Star Standing Exercises, Chen Huashan's 12 Forms, Wang Ziqiao's 34 Forms, and many others.

Here we present a set of 12 Tao Yoga or DaoYin movements for interested students. This first video lists exercises 1 - 8. We use this set of 12 exercises as a foundation training set.

It works to lengthen the tendons, open the joints, develop flexibility, stamina, massage the internal organs, regulate the breath, open the channels, circulate qi naturally, and begin to awaken the Dan Tian.

A very basic set, but it can give you a lot if you really practice it. It is a kind of basic skill developing exercise.

In these films, we only performed a few movements of each exercise due to time limitations. Each exercise should be done 9 / 18 / or 36 times each.

On Breathing.

Do not hold the breath when doing these exercises.

Breath deeply and full and draw the inhalation and exhalation from the Dan Tian or lower abdomen.

Generally you can inhale as you rise up, and exahale as you bend down - generally.

When you practice, please feel a connection from the feet to the earth, as if rooted.

Feel a connection to the sky with the crown of the head, as if a string is connected to above.

Let the tongue touch the hard pallet of the mouth, and the teeth are lightly closed.

Breath in and out gently through the nose.

Please have a slight focus to the Lower Dantian when you close the hands at the end of each exercise.

Allow a feeling of all things settling in to the Lower Dan Tian and feel very grounded and centered.

The Lower Dantian (Tan Tien) is located in the empty space below the navel in the middle place between the kidney and navel -- a sphere of around 3.8 cm.

Let the internal vision gaze upon that place when you settle.

Let golden virtue begin to grow within, releasing all negative qualities and deeply relaxing the body.

Let all things return to and settle there in between each movement.

As you practice more, forget about breathing, and let the movement and yourself become one with the surrounding nature.

Let virtue fill your heart, and gain union with all of heaven and earth as you practice.

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tao taoism taoist dao yoga qigong chi gong yin nei tan dan

Channel: Education
Uploaded: July 22, 2008 at 1:59 am
Author: taoyoga

Length: 00:08:58
Rating: 5.00
Views: 8012

Tags: tao taoism taoist dao yoga qigong chi gong yin nei tan dan

Video Comments:
widkmgy (January 7, 2009 at 1:03 am)
I'm not sure what this is, maybe a Tai Chi variant, but it has nothing to do with yoga.
taoyoga (January 7, 2009 at 8:13 am)
Tao Yoga or DaoYin exercises were an ancient precursor of Qigong, specifically the variety sometimes known as neigong, and were practised in Chinese Taoist monasteries for health and spiritual cultivation in ancient times.

In modern times DaoYin has often been refered to as -- Taoist Yoga --

DaoYin can be translated as "Guiding or leading the flow of Blood and Qi in the Body" and we find references to this ancient exercises from as far back as 500 BC.
fiercesttiger (October 9, 2008 at 5:28 pm)
Is there any names of each of the exercises is there any Dvd out of this? Great relaxing stretching routine!
gentle991 (September 9, 2008 at 6:03 pm)
I really want to learn how to do this form after watching this vdo, I wish I could know when to inhale and when to exhale while doing this exercise. Thank you for the vdo.
bongoblue17 (September 20, 2008 at 2:06 am)
On Breathing.

Do not hold the breath when doing these exercises.

Breath deeply and full and draw the inhalation and exhalation from the Dan Tian or lower abdomen.

Generally you can inhale as you rise up, and exahale as you bend down - generally.

Let the tongue touch the hard pallet of the mouth, and the teeth are lightly closed.

Breath in and out gently through the nose.
Wheel333 (August 17, 2008 at 2:49 am)
A lovely set thanks so much for sharing
bongoblue17 (July 22, 2008 at 3:57 pm)
Thank you so much for posting this..What a big help for anyone interesting in Qigong...wonderful form..