Woodcut from Yi shen ji (Physical Culture Compilation), published in 1852 (2nd year of the Xianfeng reign period of the Qing dynasty). The Yan nian jiu zhuan (Life-prolonging nine revolutions) method is an ancient technique intended to strengthen the body. It consists of nine exercises. This illustration depicts the third exercise. It is performed as follows: Using three fingers of each hand, one massages upwards and outwards to both sides from the 'prominent bone' (gao gu), walking as one does so. When one gets as far as the pit of the stomach (xin wo - heart's nest), one stops, pressing with both hands together.