The earliest known reference to daoyin  exercise has been found in the keyi( steeling one’s will) chapter of the book of zhuangzi a classic of the pre-qin period ( c2100-221 bc) breathing in and out to get rid of the old and take in the new, imitating a bear climbing and a bird spreading its wings to prolong life-such are the practices of daoyin adepts and those who wish to build a better body and live as longevity .

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History also shows that practitioners who had dedicate them selves to daoyin and other body-building exercises were know in the pre-qin period. According to the record, daoyin exercise can regulate the flow of qi and blood through breath control, and increase flexibility through stretching. Rich and diverse in content, ancient  daoyin exercise can also enhance your health.

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In 1973, a rectangular wooden chest was excavated from the mawangdui tombs(han dynasty 206) in Changsha,hunan province, containing ancient medical documents with more than 23000 identifiable characters. During the restoration work, some broken  figures were discovered, including a colour silk painting of ancient health-preservation  exercise, 140 cm long and 50 cm high. The piece, drawn with figures in four rows, is about 100cm long. There are 11 figures in each row, of an average height of 2-9 cm. Each figure shows a practitioner in realistic style, male or female, clothed or topless, outlined in black, and painted in bright red and other colours. Figures, mostly empty-handed, are accompanied by captions on their side, 31 of which are recognizable. This painting has been identified as a map of daoying health-preserving exercise and was named pictures of daoyin exercise.

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Exercise introduced in the picture of daoyin exercise fall roughly into four categories:
First, exercise which imitate the movement of animals, including Hawk’s Glaving, Crane Crying, Dragon Flying, Macaque Calling, and Bird Spreading Its Wings.

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Exercise introduced in the picture of daoyin exercise fall roughly into four categories:
First, e​xercise which imitate the movement of animals, including Hawk’s Glaving, Crane Crying, Dragon Flying, Macaque Calling, and Bird Spreading Its Wings.

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Second, yin ( stretching) from the word daoyin mean “ treating disease” in ancient times. Therefore, the names of therapeutic exercises shown on the picture often start with yin. They serve as an aid in treating waist, knee and eye pains, abdominal ailments and deafness, and in treating pain and numbness caused by wind, cold or damp.

Third, category are exercises aiming to promote the circulation of qi, including exhaling with the head raised, a breathing method imitating the movement of a dragon, controlling and swallowing breath through the mouth, and a breathing method imitating the movement of a swallow.

Forth,  are exercises aiming to strengthen the body, including kicking the foot, drawing a bow, bending and stooping.
Last are massage exercises, including beating the back, a seated exercise for relieving pains of the arms and legs, and those for treating pain and numbness caused by wind, cold or damp.

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