Daoism

Body movements in Taoism focus on the way the movements are preformed, rather than the specific movements . For example Tai Chi is a series of slow smooth circular movements in which the movements originate at the tan tien, the center of the body and equilibrium is maintained at the center as well. Each movement involves yin and yang in that the body contracts and then relaxes with each movement. “In the Taoist thinking words can describe Tai Chi, but they are not Tai Chi”. (Bennett) Internal alchemy is a “yogic” practice where the life force moves from the spine back to the head. It also includes the breathing techniques, where the ideal being the gentile breathing of a sleeping child. ( Molloy 219) Meditation is also used to balance the physical body into an eternal energy body that transcends the physical world and into the cosmos. Bodywork is also important in the forms of Tui Na and acupuncture. Tui Na is the soft body tissue massage also known as shiatsu in Japan. It is used to gradually align the body tissue. Acupuncture has become one of the more popular traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices in the western world today. Acupuncture is used to regulate or correct the flow of chi/qi ( energy) to restore a healthy balance within the 12 meridians in the body. Six meridians are yin and the other six are yang, a balance throughout the body. Balance is seen everywhere in the healing arts of Taoism, even in the environment. Feng Shui is the balance and harmony of yin and yang in the work, home and landscape. It is often referred to as environmental medicine. For example if a person is a yang-type they would want to introduce some yin, such as quiet and soothing elements, calm music, water and lighter colors. Someone who is a yin-type would want to introduce more light, action, and darker colors, which would produce more intuitive thinking. In the healing arts of Taoism the medicinal side is connected with Chinese herbal medicine and physical alchemy. In the past alchemists would use jade, gold, mercury and other elements to try and conjure an elixir to prolong life. Although that type of physical alchemy is not practiced anymore, one that leans