Taoist Yoga: A Healing Method That Works for All Types of People
Taoist Yoga (also known as “Daoist Yoga”) is a practice that offers many benefits to all different types of people. When practised consistently and properly, it can help our body become more flexible, relaxed and agile while also helping to quickly calm the mind.
While it is primarily used as a preventative and lifestyle medicine practice, it can also be applied to help treat conditions like anxiety, depression and “burnout” as well as reducing headaches, back pain and digestive problems.
Taoist Yoga is slightly different to the traditional Indian styles of yoga because Taoist Yoga is most commonly practised seated in a chair or lying on the floor and it focuses mainly on repeating gentle movements in a specific sequence.
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What is Taoist Yoga?
Taoist Yoga is a well-being and longevity practice developed by mountain hermit monks over 2000 years ago in ancient China.
Originally, the practices were known as Tao Yin which is likely to be the original and first form of Qi Gong. Over time, Tao Yin became more varied and dynamic which lead it to branch out into a variety of practices known as Taoist Yoga, Tao Yin, Qi Gong, Gong Fu (Kung Fu) and traditional Chinese medicine.
The basic goal of Taoist Yoga is to allow the energy meridian system to flow properly which allowed for greater health, well-being and longevity. Inspiration was taken from observing the natural world and the animal kingdom.
These Taoist hermits noticed that animals didn't exercise, but instead, they did regular "stretching" type movements which allowed them to remain healthy, fit and agile. Many of these Taoist yogic monks who practised regularly lived well over 100 years old.
Because Taoist Yoga is most often practised seated it makes it easy for anyone to apply and practice. While it offers benefits to all ages, it is especially suitable for older people or anyone who may be sick, weak or unwell.
How to Do Taoist Yoga?
Taoist Yoga is most commonly performed seated and in a calm and quiet place. You can practice on a chair or seated on the floor. You can even do it on the end of your bed after you wake up or just before you go to sleep.
Taoist Yoga contains a sequence of about 22 postures. Each movement is repeated at least 3-6-9 or even 36 times in a gentle and relaxed way. The sequence is important because it opens the system in a specific way that nourishes and supports the energy system of the body.
The first sequence of movements begins on the head and face.
Begin the sequence by rubbing the hands together to create warmth and then place them gently on the eyes for a few breaths.
Then, start to circulate the hands down the nose and around the jaw and up the side of the head and back down the nose. Repeat this 9 times.
Then, massage the side of the nose up and down 9 times using the base of the thumbs.
Then, trace around the eye sockets with your fingers 9 times.
After that, trace your fingers through your hair and along the scalp 9 times to wake up the skull, brain and hair.
Then, one at a time, grab and massage each ear with the opposite hand for a minute or two.
This is a basic Taoist Yoga sequence for the face and the head. The sequence then moves down through the neck and into the torso.
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What are the Benefits of Taoist Yoga?
Taoist Yoga is unique in the sense that it is based on gentle reparative movements to help stimulate and balance the energy system of the body. During and after the Taoist Yoga practice, practitioners usually feel a very warm sensation in and around their bodies as if they have a warm blanket wrapped around them.
It is perfect for anyone who wants a gentle practice yet still offers powerful effects.
Here are some of the effects of practising Daoist Yoga regularly:
Calm mind
Pain-free body
Body heals faster
Improves digestion
Clears headaches
Increases rest and relaxation
Heals “burnout” and “chronic fatigue”
Increases lifespan
A Brief Summary of Taoist Yoga
Taoist Yoga is an ancient healing art that has been practised for over 2,000 years. The practice helps people to balance the energies in the body which has a dramatic effect on the physiology of the body and the mind.
The goal is to cultivate harmony and enhanced wellbeing within one’s body and mind. The Taoists believe that when the body and mind are in harmony, the spirit becomes available, open and free to express itself and play.
Taoist Yoga can be practised in groups or as a solo practice. It can be done at home or in a studio and because of its gentle nature, it can be done by all types of people, from beginners to advanced.
In a world of increasing speed, intensity and fast cars, Taoist Yoga provides a healthy opposite to create the balance and harmony that people actually need. Taoist yoga will help you to slow down, regenerate and nourish your body and mind in a way that will help support your health, life and relationships.
*For more information, Michael will be offering a Taoist Yoga training program in September, 2022. Visit www.taoistyogatrainng.com