Why stretch the body? Stretching brings the energy from the interior to the exterior, lengthening the meridians and bringing Chi to the surface.  It feels good because this allows the energy to flow easily.  Along with other Tao Yin techniques, stretching liberates the energy to flow freely where it needs to, balancing the Chi and restoring health to the whole body.  By working progressively through the Tao Yin exercises and engaging most of the meridians, the benefits are multiplied throughout the whole body.

Most forms of stretching, like in sports, focus mainly on stretching muscles, whereas Tao Yin Exercise aims to stretch and energize also the connective tissue, the fascia. According to the 'science of stretching', rigidity developing in the fascia is the main reason for loss of flexibility as the body ages. During this process our elastic fibers are gradually replaced by rigid ones, ie. collagenous fibers. The result of which is decreased joint mobility, weakened muscles, hardened tendons, atrophying nerves: all actually caused by the breaking down of our connective tissue, which permeates the whole body. 'Sacks' of Connective tissue surround our organs, glands, muscles, tendons, joints and bones, and all this connective tissue indeed connects throughout the body. In Tao Yin practice we learn to direct our Chi to flow through the fascia, following the connection points in the fascia, which run along lines known as acupuncture meridians.

Meridians may be blocked by physical, mental, or emotional toxins and tensions. Just like a dam that blocks a river, that blockage stops the flow and creates stagnation. Above the dam the flow builds up to excess and below the dam the river bed or channel is empty, with little flow.  In terms of the body this creates imbalance leading to sickness and ill health through an imbalance of excess Yang and deficient Yin (to illustrate but one example of an imbalance).  Through loosening and stretching, the energy flows freely, allowing healing energy to permeate the whole body.

The ultimate goal of doing Tao Yin Energy Directing Exercises is to become soft, pure, responsive and full of energy, like a child.  Tao Yin can be used for physical, emotional and spiritual cultivation.  Although these exercises are surprisingly simple to perform, they are sophisticated and effective in re-establishing the harmony we have lost between ourselves, nature and the universe.  People from all walks of life use Tao Yin for their own personal development.