Qigong exercise to treat dizziness; clenched teeth; apnoea

Xiuzhen miyao, a gymnastic (daoyin/qigong) text of unknown origin, was rediscovered and published with a preface by Wang Zai in 1513 (8th year of the Zhengde reign period of the Ming dynasty). It records 49 exercises. This illustration depicts Ming tian gu (Sounding the heavenly drum), a technique used to treat dizziness, clenching of the teeth and breathlessness. It is practised as follows: One sits upright, pressing the area behind the ears with both hands. One 'plays the heavenly drum' (flicks the fingers over the ears) 36 times and taps the teeth together 36 times.

PICTURE TITLE: Ming tian gu (Sounding the heavenly drum)