Qigong exercise to treat heart pain at the front and the back

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 Tongzi bai Guanyin (The infant prays to the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara), a technique used to treat heart pain at the front and the back of the body. It is practised as follows: One stands still with legs apart ('like the character ba', i.e. an inverted V), the head bowed over the chest and the hands folded over the lower abdomen. Using one's gong power, one circulates Qi for 17 breaths.

PICTURE TITLE: Tongzi bai Guanyin (The infant prays to the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara)