C16 Chinese woodcut: Daoyin technique for cholera

Illustration of technique named 'Ascending to the heavens nine by nine' (Jiu jiu deng tian) from Shouyang congshu: Xiuzhen miyao (Compendium of Longevity and Cultivation Practices: Arcane Essentials of Cultivating Perfection), a text on daoyin (therapeutic gymastics) and Qigong, describing 49 daoyin techniques. The original author of this work is unknown; supposedly, it was discovered in 1513 (8th year of the Zhengde reign period of the Ming dynasty) by Wang Zai, who published it with an introductory essay.

According to the text, this daoyin technique treats jiao changsha (dry cholera, cholera-like symptoms).

Method: As shown in the illustration, draw the knees up to the chest, nine times on each side, and circulate Qi for 24 breaths.