Physical practices of Taoism

Physical practices
Last updated 2009-11-12

This article takes a look at the importance of diet and physical activities in Taoism, such as yoga, meditation and martial arts.

Physical practices
Because Taoism doesn't make a rigid division between body and spirit, it recognises that physical actions have a spiritual effect.

Purity
Taoist texts teach the importance of keeping the body pure in order to ensure spiritual health. To remain pure a person should avoid certain activities and foods. Greed, lust, pride and dishonesty are examples of things that should be avoided.

Meditation
Meditation is important to many Taoists. Complex meditation rituals are practiced in various temples.

A vital use of meditation is to create mental stillness and enhance mindfulness. This can give a person the mental space to know the Tao directly.

Breathing
Man in martial arts pose © iStockphoto/Rick Donovan Man practising tai chi ©
Breath is the most easily perceived form of ch'i, and there are many Taoist breathing exercises. Taoist breathing exercises are called Qui Gong (qigong).

Energy flow
The flow of life energy - ch'i - within the body can be enhanced, regulated and harmonised by various forms of exercise, meditation, and techniques such as acupuncture and moxibustion.

Martial arts
Tai Chi (taiji) originally derived from Taoist exercises created by Chang San-Feng (Zhang Sanfeng) (1127-1279 CE). Modern forms of Tai Chi are more likely to be secular exercises than Taoist practices.

Diet
Classical Taoist teaching recommends abstaining from alcohol, meat, beans and grains