Dao Yin 導引 actually translates as guiding and leading. The version I practise is derived from the Long Men 龍門 (Dragon Gate) Sect which is branch of the Quanzhen 全真 Complete Reality School.

The aim of DaoYin is to achieve a relaxed and flexible body and a calm mind. The postures although stretching should never be forced or painful, pain creates tension which is self defeating.

So why study Dao Yin rather than Indian Yoga? Well the first thing to understand is that although both methods look familiar their histories and philosophies are quite different. Dao Yin was created as a therapeutic method to promote health. There is no expectation placed upon an individual to be able to get into any particular posture, all that is important is that you move your body to a position that it can relax into and not strain into.

As mentioned above, in Dao Yin nothing is pushed or painful. If you've done other Yoga you 'll know that that is not always the case. Here is an article first published in the New York Tmes, detailing some of the perils involved in some Yoga classes.

Meditation is an important aspect of Dao Yin, if your mind is anxious or hyper active, no amount of stretching will bring true relaxation.

Most practitioners find that meditation is more effective and comfortable if it is done after a Dao Yin session.

After a prolonged session of sitting a shorter follow up Dao Yin session is a great way to invigorate the body.

The problem most of us face of course is finding sufficient time. When time is short a more compact physical preparation is carried out before meditation.

This practice is called Ba Duanjin 八段錦 (Eight Step Brocade). This is looked at a little more in the meditation section.