Master Malee taught an online workshop on Shujin Zhuanggu Gong on Saturday, August 14, 2021. The video of the workshop can be found on the USAWKF YouTube channel here.

Daoyin Yangsheng Gong 导引养生功, or Medicinal Chi Kung, or Qigong for Health, was created by Professor Zhang Guangde of the Beijing Sport University. It combines Professor Zhang’s knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), wushu, and qigong to create a unique series of movements that are beautifully choreographed and efficacious forms of exercise in themselves, while also employing the principles of qi flow and meridians in TCM.

In 1993, Master Malee Khow learned Daoyin Yangsheng Gong directly from Professor Zhang in Beijing. Later, in 2001, he visited her school to teach seminars on additional sets from this system.

Shujin Zhuanggu Gong 疏筋壮骨功
Exercise for the Muscles, Bones, and Tendons

Daoyin Yangsheng Gong consists of over a dozen sets that generally focus on particular systems of the body. Shujin Zhuanggu Gong focuses on the musculoskeletal system.

Section 1 — Strengthen the Bones of Your Neck
(Jingxiang Zhengli 劲项争力) (focus on the dazhui)

Section 2 — Push the Stone Monument from Behind the Head
(Naohou Tuibei 脑后推碑) (focus on the jianjing)

Section 3 — Rhinoceros Looks at the Moon
(Xiniu Wangyue 犀牛望月) (focus on the mingmen)

Section 4 — Bow Forward to Brush Your Shoes
(Jugong Danxue 躬身掸靴) (focus on the mingmen)

Section 5 — Heavenly Crane Massages Its Knees
(Xianhe Rouxi 仙鹤揉膝) (focus on the heding)

Section 6 — Two Dragons Play in the Water
(Shuanglong Xishui双龙戏水) (focus on the yongquan)

Section 7 — Phoenix Stirs a Whirlpool
(Fenghuang Xuanwo 凤凰漩涡) (focus on the dantian)

Section 8 — Golden Rooster Announces the Dawn
(Jinji Baoxiao 金鸡报晓) (focus on the dantian)

Acupuncture points:

Dantian (丹田, elixir field). The center of your body, three fingerwidths below your belly button. Source of qi, protector of yuanqi (元气), vital energy.

Dazhui (大椎, great vertebra). At the bottom of the neck between your shoulders. It helps with neck pain, cold and flu, and fever.

Heding (鹤顶, crane summit). In the center part right above the kneecap. It helps move the qi and blood, and is good for knee pain and leg and foot weakness.

Jianjing (肩井, well of the shoulder). Around the collar bone between the shoulder and the neck. It helps a stiff or painful neck, and also with dizziness or headache.

Mingmen (命門, life gate). Located between your kidneys. Associated with warmth and life, also regulates calcium levels in your body.

Yongquan (涌泉, rushing spring). In the center of the foot right below the ball of your foot. It helps with headache, neck pain, dizziness, and nausea.

Tips:

Try learning the movements first, followed by focusing on the listed acupuncture points and practicing “reverse breathing.” In reverse breathing, you tense your abdominal muscles while inhaling, then relax them when you exhale.

You don’t need to follow the exact order of movements if you can’t remember them or don’t have time to do the whole set.