Lead the body to become Supple and Flexible (引体令柔)
The Nourishing Life Cultivation focuses on the most fundamental aspect of stretching. This simple set of 13 exercises inherited from the teachings of Professor Zhang, focuses on both the upper body and lower body with simple leaning, turning, twisting, bending, crouching, stretching movements. There is an old saying in China that says Flexibility is a symbol of youth, to achieve the suppleness of a child again is to gain longevity.
Whilst the movements are not difficult to actually perform them correctly requires some effort and it is one they are executed with ease that this exercise is achieved. In ancient times, early Daoist exercises were called Daoqi Yinti (Guide the qi and stretch the body), highlighting the importance of Yinti (Suppleness) even in those days.
Since the specific muscles/tendons correspond to Jing-luo (meridian) pathways in Chinese Medicine, it is noted that as an integrated being the the muscles, meridians and organs matched up exactly. Therefore even Organ health and fitness improves with stretching.