Breathing Exercises and Nurturing the Spirit(养神服气):

In Chinese, it is pronounced as: yǎng shén fú qì，Written as:

Breathing Exercises and Nurturing the Spirit is a traditional health cultivation method originating from ancient Chinese Taoist and traditional Chinese medicine theories. Its core idea is to strengthen the body and extend lifespan through nurturing the spirit and controlling the breath. Specifically, Breathing Exercises and Nurturing the Spirit includes the following aspects:

Nurturing the Spirit: This is achieved through meditation and sitting quietly, which calms the mind and reduces anxiety and stress. Combined with breathing slowly and deeply, it helps concentrate the mind and enhance inner peace. It cultivates a positive mindset and moral virtues, maintains a joyful mood, and wards off the interference of negative emotions.

Controlling the Breath: This involves practicing specific breathing rhythms, such as abdominal breathing or reverse abdominal breathing, aimed at enhancing lung capacity and metabolic functions of the body. Through specific postures and breathing techniques, one inhales the fresh air of the natural world, replenishing the body’s “Qi.” Conscious breathing exercises regulate the rhythm and depth of breathing, which helps improve blood circulation and boost the immune system.

The goal of Breathing Exercises and Nurturing the Spirit is to improve overall health by regulating breathing and mental states. This method was not only widely used in ancient times but also continues to be an effective means of stress relief and health management in modern society.