DAOYIN YANGSHENG GONG

Daoyin Yangsheng Gong consists of sets of exercises, devised by Professor Zhang Guangde at the Beijing University of Physical Education, which are designed to promote health in all the major organ systems of the body.

Qigong is very popular in China and its oldest and most diverse form is Daoyin. Daoyin is not only used as preventatives against old age and sickness, but is also used to cure both chronic and acute diseases. Daoyin is often classified as either part of traditional medical knowledge or among the various practices of Yangsheng which consists of adopting a way of life according to psychophysical hygienic principles.

Dao refers to the fact that physical movements are guided by the strength of the mind and in turn stimulate the internal flow of Qi within the body. Yin means that with the aid of physical movements, Qi can reach the bodily extremities. There are many postures and movements in Daoyin exercises, but the emphasis is on achieving a state of harmony between body and mind.

Over the last few decades Master Zhang has taught many thousands of people Daoyin Yangsheng Gong, including many teachers, but only a very small number of these people have been chosen to be trained as second generation successors of the system.

These people are known as Ru Shi Di Zi, closed-door disciples. Gordon Faulkner, head of the Chanquanshu school and President of the Scotland & Wales Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Association, is one such person.

The Scotland & Wales Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Association is a community for accredited instructors and for people who wish to become accredited (see ‘training’ pages).

SWDYA is made up as follows:

• President
  Gordon Faulkner

• Vice-Presidents
  Bob Lowey (Scotland)
  Mike Hart (Wales)

• General Secretary
  Maria Faulkner

SWDYA is a founder member of the



EUROPEAN DAOYIN YANGSHENG GONG FEDERATION.