The Way and the Art of Health Preservation
In traditional Chinese medicine, the theoretical framework of health preservation is called "the Way of Health Preservation," while the practical methods are termed "the Art of Health Preservation."
The Way of Health Preservation broadly summarizes thousands of years of cultural theories from medicine, diet, religion, folklore, and martial arts. Its core principles include: 1. Following nature; 2. Harmonizing body and spirit; 3. Balancing movement and stillness; 4. Tailoring methods to individual needs. Health preservation should not be limited to one method or style—it should involve multiple approaches: body, spirit, movement, stillness, diet, medicine, etc. Additionally, methods must vary based on person, place, and time—precisely what is meant by "tailoring to cause" and "treating according to syndrome."
The Art of Health Preservation encompasses seven aspects:
1. Spiritual Cultivation: Includes mental and emotional regulation, cultivation of hobbies, and moral character development—deeply rooted in Chinese culture, religious traditions, and folk customs.
2. Behavioral Cultivation: Covers daily habits related to clothing, diet, housing, movement, and sexual life.
3. Qi Cultivation: Primarily refers to "Nei Yang Gong" (internal cultivation exercises) in medical qigong—closely tied to Chinese medicine, religious, and martial arts cultures.
4. Physical Cultivation: Mainly includes physical exercise and sports activities—integrating medical and martial arts knowledge.
5. Dietary Cultivation: A central component of TCM health preservation. Widely applicable, covering selection, preparation, and application of health-promoting foods, as well as dietary habits and moderation. Encompasses medical, pharmaceutical, culinary, alcoholic, and folk cultural elements.
6. Medicinal Cultivation: Focuses on selecting and preparing health-preserving herbal formulations. Herbs are typically pure, natural plant-based substances; preparation is usually basic processing; formulations often blend with food—hence the common term "medicinal cuisine."
7. Technique Cultivation: A non-food, non-medicinal method outside the above categories—using techniques like massage, tuina, acupuncture, bathing, fumigation, magnetic therapy, and instrument stimulation for health preservation.