Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s3.t1.3

v2.c12.s3.t1.3

level of philosophy. *Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon’* had a whole set of theories about “Qi”, expounded relations between “Qi” and life, for example, relations between it and five viscera, blood vessels, main and collateral channels, etc. It also discussed relations between “Qi” and the natural world, for example, relations between it and heaven, earth, Yin, Yang, five elements and seasons, etc. The theory of health and longevity focussed on “Qi” had been established. A *Stained Mind in Chuang Tzu* mentioned, “exhaling the old and inhaling the new, climbing the trees like a bear and stretching like a bird,” for “those who do physical exercises, and wish to keep fit and aspire for a long life,” which showed that China had been the pioneer practising Qigong long ago. “Qi circulation promotion method carved on jade” in 4^th century BCE reflected that China’s Qigong theory had been formed initially.