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 Chou tian huo (Stoking and reducing the fire), a technique used to regulate the blood vessels and treat symptoms of disharmony among the three sectors of sanjiao (the Triple Burner), such as blurred vision and general debility. It is practised as follows: Sitting upright and cross-legged, one first rubs the hands together till they are warm, and then massages the soles of the feet. Then, sitting upright with the hands on the knees, one performs nine exhalations with the mouth open.
