The Daoist Path of Development
Daoist Practices
More than 4,000 years ago in Ancient China, a profound system of knowledge of Daoist practices emerged, delving into the principles governing the workings of the universe and their impact on the human body, consciousness, and energy.
Daoist practices, at its foundational stage, is centered around restoring the proper functioning of all body systems that may have been disrupted by an incorrect lifestyle or illnesses. The practices aim to address issues such as unblocking blockages and spasms, correcting distortions, and reinstating the natural flow of energy. The ultimate goal is the healing and optimization of all systems and organs to an optimal level for each person.
The slow, soft and easy exercises of Daoist practices are not similar to Indian hatha yoga, although according to legend, more than 4 thousand years ago they grew “from the same root.” There are no incredible twists or deflections, the physical activity is insignificant, but they work very seriously with tendons (instead of the usual muscle tension), with every system of the body, and especially with attention.
Daoist practices for women
Among all practices, Daoist yoga for women is more popular, because this is a holistic system of not only maintaining health, but also preserving youth and beauty. Chinese masters have developed in detail practices focused on working with the very center of the feminine essence, with the womb as this organ allows processes of filling, preservation and transformation of energy.
Modern scientists explain the longevity of Chinese women and their natural youth not only by genetics, but also by the regular practice of tai chi (qigong) and Daoist yoga for many generations.
Literally in the first 3-4 months of regular practice, women see positive changes: pain and irritability during PMS go away, swelling decreases, the cycle normalizes, and the condition of the skin significantly improves.
Taijiquan
Taijiquan (“Fist of the Boundless” or “Path to the Boundless”) is the internal art of cultivating strength. It is based on all the knowledge of Ancient China about the structure of the world and human: the theory of the Five Elements of Wu Xing, and the Eight Trigrams of Ba Gua (bagua), and knowledge about lunar phases, changes and seasonal cycles, and much more.
I studied taijiquan not so much from a position of a martial art but as a healing practice, a system for restoring connections within the body. The more our body is proportional and free from blocks and clamps (and this is in our power to restore), the greater the number of connections inside it can form, the more holistic it is, which means the better the energy circulation occurs. Accordingly, we do not lose energy when moving, but on the contrary, we can increase its quantity and change its quality. That is, for those who practice Tai chi, movement becomes a generator of additional high-quality energy.
This means that maintaining youthful thoughts and emotions, as well as physical activity until 80-100 years old is quite possible. In China, 120 years of active longevity is still considered the norm!
Bagua Zhan
Perhaps Bagua Zhang is one of the most beautiful and powerful fighting styles, but it is no less powerful if taught in a healing way. Bagua Zhang, "Palm of the Eight Trigrams", is one of the three main Daoist internal practices.
Its name refers to the Bagua system - eight qualities or eight forces, which underlies the Chinese concept of Change. The main focus in this practice is on building the axis of the body in such a way that all his movements are as coordinated as possible. This is how the issue of filling with energy is resolved (in Bagua this happens faster than in any other internal style), because lack of strength is one of the main issues of our time, this is what leads to illness, depression and failures in life.
Daoist Alchemy
As practitioners advance in their journey, Daoist Alchemy unfolds its possibilities before them. This ancient and universal complex system encompasses a variety of self-development methods, including healing practices, internal practices, martial practices, women's practices, and techniques for working with sexual energy.
Daoist Alchemy provides a comprehensive approach to personal transformation, offering a path toward holistic well-being, internal harmony, and the exploration of the full spectrum of human potential.
The core of Daoist alchemy lies in the transformation of energy through the refining process of Neidan (Internal Alchemy), grounded in an understanding of macrocosmic laws and the essence of the soul.
Within the Chinese tradition, the Daoist system is alternatively referred to as the Art of Yellow and White or the Way of the Cinnabar. This system comprises practical knowledge designed to enhance the potential for energy regeneration and transformation.
As a result, it facilitates a partial or complete metamorphosis of the body through the gradual cultivation of The Immortal Fetus.