Xiuzhen miyao, a gymnastic (daoyin/qigong) text of unknown origin, was rediscovered and published with a preface by Wang Zai in 1513 (8th year of the Zhengde reign period of the Ming dynasty). It records 49 exercises. This illustration depicts Lü zu san jing fa (Ancestor Lü's technique for dispersing the essence), a technique used to treat lack of essence and pulses. It is practised as follows: One sits with legs outstretched, pulling with the hands on the instep of the left foot. Using one's gong power, one circulates Qi for three breaths on the left side and three on the right.
