Yan Bozheng, a well-known contemporary Chinese expert in traditional Chinese medicine and health cultivation, compiled the health exercise known as the “Eighteen-Form Qigong Massage” in 1987. Its principle is chiefly to harmonize the nutritive and defensive qi and to clear the qi, blood, and meridians throughout the body; practiced steadily over a long period, it can strengthen the body and bring long life.
The method consists of: the preparatory exercise, kneading the hair and combing the head, sounding the heavenly drum with both hands, twirling the fingers in the ears, moving the eyes to nourish the spirit, scraping the eyes to brighten the vision, stroking the nose to ward off colds, bathing the face for a glowing complexion, tapping the teeth to strengthen the kidneys, stirring the sea and swallowing saliva, pushing vertically at Jianjing, rubbing the chest and ribs crosswise, kneading the abdomen forward and back, rubbing the lower back, striking Mingmen, massaging the upper limbs, massaging the lower limbs, massaging Yongquan, patting the whole body, and closing the practice.
The specific methods are as follows:
1. Preparatory exercise: Place both hands in front of the lower abdomen with the arms slightly bent, palms up and fingertips facing each other. Relax the body from head to foot in sequence, then concentrate your mind on the lower dantian (elixir field). Breathe naturally, gradually making the breath light, soft, and even.
2. Pushing vertically at Jianjing: With both palms, crossing left and right, massage the Jianjing point on the shoulders and the area around it, while the waist turns freely with the swing of the arms. This has some effect in relieving shoulder and back pain, stiff neck, difficulty raising the arms, hyperthyroidism, and other conditions.
3. Striking Mingmen: Clench both hands into fists and turn the waist freely, striking the front of the body and the Mingmen point at the back alternately with the left and right fists. This strengthens the waist and invigorates the kidneys, and can also bring some improvement to digestive and other ailments.
4. Patting the whole body: With fists or palms, pat the dantian, abdomen, chest, waist, back, shoulders, head, arms, and legs in a relaxed, springy way. This relaxes the sinews, activates the meridians, dispels wind-damp, and strengthens the sinews and bones.
When practicing the “Eighteen-Form Qigong Massage,” all parts of the body must work in coordination, with an emphasis on balance. This health exercise is suitable for people of all kinds to build their bodies and maintain their health, and is especially suitable for the elderly, helping them strengthen their constitutions and extend their years.