The 13 health perserving techniques from Sun Simiao

Sun Simiao, known as the King of Chinese Medicine, was a famous ancient Chinese physician and practitioner of qigong, born around the year 570.  Maybe try his ’13 health preserving techniques’ as part of your next practice?

1 ‘Comb the Hair’

·      Rub your palms together until they feel warm, then start from the forehead and sweep towards the back of the head and down to the neck. 

·      Do this 36 times to improve vision, prevent headaches, tinnitus and hair loss.

2 ‘Eye Exercises’

·      Close your eyes, then open them forcefully, roll your eyeballs in circles, and look in the four directions of left, up, right, and down.  Repeat this three times

·      Rub your hands together 36 times, then apply the warm palms to your eyes. This exercise is to strengthen your eyesight

3 ‘Teeth Knocking’

·      Slightly close your mouth and knock your upper and lower teeth together without much force, but make sure there is a sound. Do this 36 times.

·      This exercise helps maintain clear thinking, may improve digestion, and prevent tooth decay.

4 ‘Rinsing with Jade Liquid’ (saliva)

·      Close your mouth and extend your tongue out of your teeth. Slowly rotate it counter-clockwise, making 12 circles, then swallow the saliva. Start again and rotate clockwise

·      Close your mouth again, but this time keep your tongue inside your mouth and rotate it around your upper and lower jaws. Make 12 circles counter-clockwise, swallow saliva, then rotate clockwise.

·      Saliva contains a large amount of enzymes that regulate hormone secretion and strengthen the digestive system, promoting longevity.

5 ‘Ear Drumming’

·      Cover both ears with palms, press inward firmly, then release, there should be a sound. Repeat 10 times

·      Press GB20 (hollow of neck) flicking them 10 times. This enhances memory and hearing.

6 ‘Face Washing’

·      Rub hands 36 times, then sweep up and down on the face

·      After warming up hands, circle both hands outwards.

·      Doing this regularly helps complexion and may prevent wrinkles.

7 ‘Head Shaking’

·      Hands on hips, close eyes, tilt head down, slowly twist to the right and left, 6 times in each direction

·      Do this technique regularly to keep the mind flexible

8 ‘Waist Swinging’

·      The body and hands swing rhythmically. When the body twists to the left, the right hand is in front and the left hand is behind and vice versa.

·      This can strengthen the digestive system, tonify kidney qi, and prevent indigestion, stomach pain, and back pain.

9 ‘Abdomen Rubbing’

·      Warm hands and stack them over navel.  Rub in circles from small to large 36 times

·      This can help digestion, absorption, and relieve bloating.

10 ‘Lifting perineum’

·      Inhale and tighten the muscles of the anus. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale and relax.

11 ‘Knee Twisting’

·      Stand with feet and knees together, slightly squat down, put hands on knees and rotate in small circles.

·      This strengthens knee and ankle joints.

12 ‘Regular Walking’

·      Walk with a straight chest and relax. It’s best to enjoy the scenery along the way without any distractions.

13 ‘Foot Rubbing’

·      Rub the left foot with the right hand and the right foot with the left hand. Rub from heel to toe and then back to heel for 36 times

·      Alternate rubbing Yongquan (K1) acupoint on both feet with thumbs.

·      This treats insomnia, lowers blood pressure and relieves headaches.