12 METHODS OF DAOYIN TO IMPROVE & MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH The Chinese Health Qigong Association will be visiting Auckland

d to instruct this course. The Instructor is a Chinese expert from the Beijing Sports University Qigong College, and a direct student of Professor Zhang Guande, creator of this Qigong method. This method, Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Shier Fa, is used in hospitals in China as a complementary treatment for medical conditions.

DATE & TIME:

Queens Birthday Weekend Sunday 3rd June 9am 5pm AND Monday 4th June 8am 12pm Onehunga Community House 83 Selwyn Street, Onehunga $150 per person

VENUE: COST:

REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL AS PLACES ARE LIMITED To register: email nzhealthqigong@gmail.com or phone Orlando 624-6567 or 021-560200

Dao Yin
"Daoyin" is the original term for health enhancing exercises now more usually referred to as "Qi Gong" ("Chi Kung"). In essence it refers to the ancient body-mind exercises which formed the physical element of "Yang Sheng" providing health care and physical and spiritual purification leading to longevity. Their exact historical origins are uncertain, but they are certainly some thousands of years old. The first historical reference about it appears in Zhuangzi, a Taoist text written between the 4th and 2nd century BC: "Breathing in and out, exhaling and inhaling, they get rid of the old to absorb the new. They swing like bears and stretch like birds - all this they do in order to have long life. They are Daoyin disciples, people who nourish their form seeking for longevity like Pengzu." Many different interpretations were given to the word "daoyin" during the ages. The following two are the most reliable: daoqi yinti - guide the qi and stretch the body daoqi yinliao - guide the qi to obtain a healing effect Both interpretations describe important aspects of the exercise, and do not contradict each other. The first describes the technique while the second refers to one goal of the exercise. Actually with daoyin we guide the qi and move our body in order to obtain a beneficial effect to our health.

Yang Sheng
Yang Sheng - Nourishing the Life Force to Promote Longevity Ancient Chinese texts describe how even as long ago as the feudal age (770-221 BC), "lifenourishing ways" were highly regarded and widely practiced. Based on a combination of diet, traditional medicine, physical exercise and spiritual cultivation, "yangsheng zhi dao" aimed to promote a long and healthy life. Many varied methods for achieving longevity were developed, each with different emphases, but all agreed that physical exercises were a vital component. However, the type of exercises created went far beyond the mere physical, involving the body and the mind in a unified way. The term "Yang Sheng" within the title "Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong" acknowledges both its indebtedness to these original techniques and the central intent of the system to provide the opportunity for serious practitioners to prolong their own lives through dedicated practice

Brief Biography of Professor Zhang Guande

Professor Zhang Guande was born in 1932, son of a TCM doctor in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China. Coming from a medical family background, he naturally developed an interest in Wushu, as a means of health promotion through exercise, and from 1955 he studied in the Wushu Dept. of the Beijing Sport Institute - now University - where he has remained ever since, progressing from student to Senior Professor of the University. In 1974 doctors diagnosed a severe illness the cause of which was allergic and could not be treated medically. At that time he undertook a deep study of traditional Chinese medicines, in particular the methods of Daoyin (guiding and inducing the free flow of Chi (internal energy) inside the body) and also Taiji Quan (Taichi). Basing his work on this huge wealth of traditional knowledge, Professor Zhang developed a new style to combine the methods of Daoyin with physical exercise and mental cultivation. It was through the use of this health system - Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong - that it is claimed that the Professor overcame his own illness and offered hope to many thousands of patients suffering from a variety of medical conditions. In China his method of medical Qigong has been officially recognised by the Ministry of Health and is used by hospitals and sanatoria for the treatment of various illnesses. In 1992 Professor Zhang was honoured by the State for the quality of his Qi Gong system, and in 1996 the method of Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong was incorporated into the nations health and fitness programme. Professor Zhang is recognised as one of the top ten Qigong Masters. Since creating Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong, Professor Zhang has continued his studies as well as sharing his knowledge through regular teaching visits to many countries through the world including Europe and America. Though not yet very well known in the U.K., there are nevertheless more than 3,000 practicing students and a strong developing network of teachers. It is estimated that throughout the world in excess of four million students are involved in the practice of Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong. Today Zhang Guande is Professor and Researcher of Beijing University of Physical Education Wushu Dept, Honorary General Director of "Zhang Guande's Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Centre", Permanent Member and Vice-Secretary of the Chinese Wushu Research Association.

Although officially "retired", Professor Zhang is untiring in his devotion to Daoyin. He continues to travel the world introducing the benefits of Dao Yin to many thousands of people. He appears regularly on Chinese national television, and is the author of a number of books describing Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong in detail.