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 po qi fa (Ancestor Lü's technique for breaking stagnant Qi), a technique used to rid the body of fatigue and exhaustion. It is practised as follows: Sitting upright and cross-legged, one places both fists on the ribcage, level with the heart, and concentrates the attention intensely. Sending one's power, one circulates Qi for 24 breaths on the left, then on the right.
