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[Original Text] Method 1: Stand upright with your back against the wall, hold your breath (Biqi), circulate Qi (Xingqi), guiding it from the head down to the feet. This cures carbuncles (Ju), hernia (Shan), leprosy (Da Feng), hemiplegia (Piangu), and various wind-bi syndromes.
[Explanation] Adopt an upright standing posture with the back against the wall, hold the breath, and circulate Qi. (For detailed exercises, see the discussion in this section.) Use consciousness to guide the internal Qi, allowing it to flow from the head to the feet and then stop. This practice can treat carbuncles, hernias, leprosy, hemiplegia, and various wind-bi syndromes.

[Original Text] Method 2: Extend the toes of both feet upward, stop after five breaths (Xi), and draw Qi to the waist and back. Treats bi syndrome (Bi) and hemiplegia, enhancing hearing. Regular practice ensures that the sensory roots (eyes, ears, etc.) are free from obstruction.
[Explanation] Raise the toes of both feet, circulate Qi, and stop after five breaths, drawing Qi to the waist and back. This treats lower back and waist bi pain and hemiplegia, and improves auditory function. Regular practice purifies the "six roots" (in Buddhism, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind; "root" implies the source of sensation. Since eyes and ears perceive sound and form, they are called roots), keeping them pure and protected from pathogenic factors and adverse external influences.

[Original Text] Method 3: Sit with the back straight against the wall, extend both feet and toes, calm the mind (Shou Xin), guide Qi from the head, visualizing it reaching the ten toes and the sole of the feet. Repeat the guidance twenty-one times (three sets of seven), stopping when the soles feel as if receiving Qi. This is known as "guiding Qi up to Niwan and down to Yongquan."
[Explanation] Sit with the back straight against the wall, extend both feet and toes, eliminate distracting thoughts, and calm the spirit. Guide Qi from the head, letting internal Qi follow the intention downward to the ten toes and the Yongquan point on the soles of the feet. Repeat this intentional guidance twenty-one times until a sensation of receiving Qi arises in the soles. This is the method referred to as "guiding Qi up to Niwan and down to Yongquan."

[Original Text] Method 4: Stand upright leaning against the wall, hold your breath, circulate Qi, guiding it from the mouth to the head before stopping. Treats carbuncles, bi syndrome, leprosy, and hemiplegia.
[Explanation] Sit with the back straight against the wall, hold the breath, and circulate Qi. Use intention to guide internal Qi from the mouth to the top of the head. This treats carbuncles, bi syndromes, leprosy, and hemiplegia.

[Original Text] Method 5: One foot steps on the ground (same as Ta/Ta), remaining still, while the other foot extends to the side. Turn the body into a tilted posture, and bring both hands back sharply. Alternate left and right fourteen times. Removes wind-cold from the spine and treats hemiplegia caused by poor blood circulation.
[Explanation] Keep one foot planted firmly on the ground while extending the other foot to the side. Turn the body into a slanted posture, clasping both hands and turning them as far as the body allows. Alternate sides fourteen times. This eliminates wind-cold from the spine and addresses limb malnourishment due to blocked Qi and blood in hemiplegia.

[Original Text] Method 6: Hands alternate pushing forward and backward (Tuo), exerting maximum effort for twenty-one repetitions. Palms face downward, head lowered facing the chest. Guide Qi downward to Yongquan and Cangmen points. Hold the breath briefly, then relax the posture to disperse Qi and calm the breath. Move the head (same as Bo, referring to shoulders/scapulae) tilting front, back, left, and right, rotating gently fourteen times. Removes cold blood from the shoulders and gradually relieves tendon stiffness.
[Explanation] Push hands alternately forward and backward with full effort for twenty-one repetitions. Then stop pushing, keep palms down, lower the head facing the chest, and use intention to guide Qi down to the Yongquan and Cangmen points. After Qi arrives, maintain the state briefly to conclude the exercise; relax the whole body, disperse the Qi, and stabilize the breath. Subsequently, move the head, tilting towards the shoulders front, back, left, and right, rotating gently fourteen times. This removes cold pathogens from shoulder meridians and gradually alleviates tendon spasms.

[Original Text] Method 7: Embrace the left knee with both hands, extend the waist, inhale through the nose for seven breaths, and extend the right foot. Treats difficulty in bending/extending and rising, and calf pain/weakness.
[Explanation] Adopt a squat-sitting posture, embrace the left knee with both hands, extend the waist, stretch the right leg, inhale through the nose, and circulate Qi for seven breaths. This treats lower limb mobility disorders, difficulty in bending/extending/kneeling/rising, and calf pain or weakness.

[Original Text] Method 8: Embrace the right knee against the chest (Ying). Treats heavy lower limbs and difficulty in bending/extending.
[Explanation] In a squat-sitting position, embrace the right knee against the chest. This alleviates heaviness in the lower limbs and difficulty in movement.

[Original Text] Method 9: Sit leaning (Ju), extend the right foot, embrace the left knee with both hands, extend the waist, inhale through the nose, breathe deeply for seven breaths, then extend the left foot outward. Treats difficulty in bending/extending/rising, and calf pain/bi.
[Explanation] Adopt a squat-sitting (leaning) posture. Extend the right leg, embrace the left knee with both hands, extend the waist, inhale through the nose, breathing deeply for seven breaths, then extend the left foot outward. This treats difficulties in bending, kneeling, and rising, along with calf pain, swelling, and numbness.

[Original Text] Method 10: Stand upright, body aligned vertically. One hand pushes upward, palm open as if pushing an object; the other hand presses downward as if pressing an object. Exert maximum force, alternating up and down twenty-eight times. Removes wind from the shoulders, cold blood in the Jianjing points, and tendon spasms in the axillae.
[Explanation] Stand upright with the body aligned vertically. Raise one hand upward, palm open as if pushing something; press the other hand downward as if pressing something down. Exert maximum force, alternating these movements twenty-eight times. This dispels wind pathogens from the shoulders, cold blood stagnation in the Jianjing points, and tendon spasms in the armpits.

[Original Text] Method 11: Squat-sit, extend the left foot, embrace the right knee with both hands, extend the waist, inhale through the nose, breathe deeply for seven breaths, then extend the left foot outward. Treats difficulty in bending/extending/rising and calf pain.
[Explanation] In a squat-sitting position, extend the left foot, embrace the right knee with both hands, straighten the waist, inhale through the nose, breathing deeply for seven breaths, then extend the left foot outward. This treats difficulties in bending, kneeling, and rising, and calf pain. The movements here are similar to Method 9, differing only in left/right orientation; performing them alternately constitutes a complete routine.

[Original Text] Method 12: Lie supine (Yanwo), knees together, feet spread, extend the waist, inhale through the mouth, vibrate the abdomen for seven breaths. Treats high fever and pain, and immobility of the lower legs.
[Explanation] Lie supine, bring knees together, extend feet, straighten the waist, inhale through the mouth to direct Qi to the abdomen. The lower abdomen expands upon inhalation and contracts upon exhalation, oscillating up and down for seven breaths. This treats high fever with pain and limited mobility in the lower legs.

[Original Text] Method 13: Treats pain/heaviness and immobility of the four limbs, and accumulated Qi in the abdomen. The bed must be level. Lie supine squarely, loosen clothing and belt, use a pillow three cun high, and perform Wo Gu (firm grip). Wo Gu involves wrapping the four fingers of each hand around the thumb. Extend arms five cun away from the body, stand toes up, feet five cun apart. Calm the mind, harmonize breath, avoid other thoughts, focus solely on Qi. Slowly rinse with "Liquan" (sweet spring saliva): lick lips and teeth with the tongue, then swallow saliva. Slowly exhale through the mouth, inhale through the nose into the throat. Perform gently and slowly, not abruptly. Once prepared, harmonize and guide Qi inward; do not hear the sound of breathing. With each guidance, mentally send Qi out from the toe tips. Five or six breaths constitute one cycle where Qi exits the toes. Start counting from one breath up to ten, gradually increasing to one or two hundred breaths; the illness will heal. Avoid raw vegetables, fish, and fatty meat. Do not practice after overeating or during strong emotions like anger or sorrow. Practice best in the quiet morning hours; this method can cure myriad diseases.
[Explanation] Treats pain, heaviness, and immobility of the limbs, and abdominal Qi accumulation. During Dao Yin, the bed must be level. Lie supine squarely, loosen clothing, use a three-cun high pillow, and perform Wo Gu (firm grip), where the four fingers wrap around the thumbs. Extend arms five cun from the body, raise toes, keep feet five cun apart. After positioning, calm the mind, harmonize breathing, and avoid distractions. Slowly rinse with "Liquan" (saliva produced by licking lips and teeth), which nourishes the stomach and aids digestion, likened to sweet spring water. Swallow the saliva after rinsing. Exhale slowly through the mouth, inhale through the nose into the throat. Perform these actions gently and slowly, not hastily. Once ready, further harmonize respiration and guide Qi inward; ensure no sound of breathing is heard. With each guidance, concentrate intention to send Qi to the feet and out through the toe tips. Five or six breaths make one cycle of Qi exiting the toes. Beginners count from one to ten breaths, gradually increasing to one or two hundred breaths until recovery. During treatment, avoid raw vegetables, fish, and fatty meats. Do not practice after overeating or during emotional turmoil. Practice is most effective in the quiet early morning; this method can cure various diseases.

[Original Text] Method 14: Extend both feet upward. Treats anesthesia (Bu Ren) and cold-bi of the calves.
[Explanation] Lift both feet upward; this treats numbness/anesthesia and cold-bi of the lower legs.

Summary:
The first chapter of this book describes Dao Yin therapies for Stroke (Zhong Feng). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views Wind as the Qi of the four seasons, distributed in eight directions, governing the growth of all things. Normal wind does not harm humans; disease occurs only when Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) is deficient or climate changes suddenly, allowing pathogenic Wind to invade. Ancients termed diseases caused by such pathogenic Wind as "Stroke," including Wind-Bi, Wind-Dampness, Stroke with Hemiplegia (Piangu), Stroke with Anesthesia (Bu Ren), Stroke with Facial Paralysis (Kou Pi), and Leprosy (Da Feng). Modern "Stroke" refers to sudden coma, loss of consciousness, speech difficulties, facial paralysis, and hemiplegia, roughly corresponding to Western medical cerebrovascular accidents, including cerebral hemorrhage, thrombosis, vasospasm, and embolism, along with their sequelae. The Dao Yin methods herein are highly beneficial for rehabilitating post-stroke sequelae. The methods presented include static, dynamic, and combined practices. Postures include "leaning against wall," "squat-sitting," "supine," and "standing." Respiratory methods include "holding breath" (Biqi), "inhaling" (Na Qi), and "guiding Qi" (Yin Qi). Comprehensive discussions cover techniques, precautions, and essentials. We discuss respiratory methods below:

1. Holding Breath Method (Biqi Fa)
Also known as breath-holding or stifling breath, this involves inhaling, pausing, and then exhaling. Guided by the idea of "breathing essence" for health, ancients believed "Zhen Qi is received from Heaven and combines with Grain Qi to fill the body." Exercise requires retaining inhaled essence in the body for absorption. As stated in *Yang Xing Yan Ming Lu*: "Lie supine, close eyes, grip firmly, hold breath in the heart/mind, count to two hundred, then exhale through mouth. Daily increase... body and spirit harmonized, five Zang organs peaceful... holding breath for 250 breaths clarifies Huagai (Lungs)... ears and eyes become acute, body free of disease, evil cannot invade." *Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang* states: "To harmonize spirit and guide Qi, seek a quiet room... lie supine... hold breath in chest/diaphragm... place a goose feather on the nose without moving it for 300 breaths... ears hear nothing, eyes see nothing, mind thinks nothing... immune to cold/heat, stings... lifespan 360 years, akin to a True Person." Ancient practitioners valued this for curing disease and prolonging life. *Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang* details: "Guide Qi from nose to abdomen/feet, stop. If capable, take more. If stuffy, exhale finely through mouth. Re-inhale finely through nose." Su Dongpo noted: "Holding breath in chest likely means not blocking nasal air but maintaining intention in the chest... like smoke from an incense burner... if mind has no thoughts, even 300 breaths is fine." Thus, Biqi is not stopping respiration but retaining inhaled Qi internally. Key points: 1. Deep, long, fine, even breathing; reduce frequency from normal 16-20/min to 3-4 or even 1-2/min over time. 2. Count breaths to naturally extend retention. 3. Focus intention on chest/lungs (Huagai), feeling Qi like mist. Practice must be gradual; never force breath, causing憋 (stifling) or dizziness. "Self-extreme seven breaths" means deepening breath, not forcing it. Forcing causes exhaustion/injury. Initial practice should not involve long holds to avoid Qi stagnation, chest tightness, dizziness, or abdominal distension.

2. Inhaling Method (Na Qi Fa)
Also known as Tu Na (exhaling-inhaling). Can inhale through nose/exhale through mouth, or vice versa. Method 11 says: "Inhale through nose, self-extreme seven breaths." Method 12: "Inhale through mouth, vibrate abdomen seven breaths." *Wangzijiao Bashen Dao Yin Fa* states essentials: "No thoughts, fix intention, slowly inhale through nose, exhale through mouth... reach respective Zang organs... rest only after extreme exertion... do not force long breaths... let ear not hear Qi往来." Or "Slowly inhale through mouth, fill abdomen to extreme, breath nearly stops, slowly exhale through nose." Essentials: Inhale slowly, calm mind, exclude distractions, focus on sinking Qi to Dantian. When limit reached, exhale slowly through nose. Breathing must be subtle/even, unheard. Do not force length; progress gradually. Na Qi is fundamental Qigong. Start natural/gentle, relax body/mind, begin with natural breathing, deepen gradually. When Qi enters lungs, be "neither late nor fast," "forget not, assist not," "light and harmonious," like silkworm spinning silk, forming deep/long abdominal breathing. Use intention to guide Qi below navel, creating sensation of diaphragm descending and Qi sinking to Dantian ("filling/vibrating/swelling abdomen"). Ancients sought "soft/fine adjustment, short to long" for "continuous breathing deep into Dantian."

3. Guiding Qi Method (Yin Qi Fa)
Also Xing Qi or Dao Qi. Method 1: "Circulate Qi from head to feet." Method 3: "Guide Qi from head, visualize reaching toes/soles... up to Niwan, down to Yongquan." Method 13: "With each guidance, mentally send it, let Qi exit toe tips." This uses consciousness to circulate "internal Qi" along specific routes (head-to-feet, Dantian-to-spine, etc.), integrating Yi (intention) and Qi. Similar to Daoist Micro/Macro Cosmic Orbit and Buddhist Esoteric Qi Penetration. *Jifeng Puji Fang* states: "Intention is the commander of Qi; where Yi goes, Qi follows..."