Qigong exercise to treat weakness and pain in the upper back

  • Digital Images
  • Online

Available online

view Qigong exercise to treat weakness and pain in the upper back

Public Domain Mark

You can use this work for any purpose without restriction under copyright law. Read more about this licence.

Credit

Qigong exercise to treat weakness and pain in the upper back. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Selected images from this work

View 1 image

About this work

Description

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 a technique to treat weakness and pain in the upper back (houxin, 'back of the heart'). It is practised as follows: One sits upright, with the hands resting on the knees. Focusing the attention on the heart, one looks towards the left while lifting the right arm, and circulates Qi for 12 breaths. One then looks towards the right while lifting the left arm, and likewise circulates Qi for 12 breaths.

Lettering

PICTURE TITLE: Weakness and pain in the upper back (houxin, 'back of the heart')

Type/Technique

Subjects

Permanent link