Generally speaking, Daoyin exercise uses the following three methods in leading Qi's movement.
1). Using movements to lead the way of Qi. Every movement in every set of Daoyin Exercise uses movement to lead Qi. This is realised by the rotation movements and self-message of certain acupoints. For example, the movements such as "Offering Fruit by the White Monkey" in Shuxinpingxuegong, (in which both arms rotating vertically while tile wrists and elbows rotating horizontally), "Moving the fingertips" in Heweijianpigong, and "Connecting both Shangyang points" in Yiqiyangfeigong, all stimulate their channels to lead the move of Qi in the body for the purpose of prevent and cure diseases.
2) Using breath to lead the way of Qi. Every set of Daoyin exercise emphasises the co-ordination of movement and breath with greater emphasis on the breath. For example, Shuxinpingxuegong requires long abdomen breath, Yiqiyangfeigong requires deep and long abdomen breath. Why emphasis is laid on breath? First, it is because the breath is the aim while the movement is only means to achieve the aim. Movement serves for breath. That is, leading the move of Qi is the purpose of every movement. The relation between movement and breath is quite different in practising Daoyin and Wushu, Wushu requires more strength of the fist with breath. But Daoyin requires better and more regular breath with movement in order for Qi to reach every part of the body. Second, it is because different breath can treat different diseases. There shouldn't be and cannot be one kind of breathing that can treat all the diseases. For example, one cause of high blood pressure is the hyperfunction of the sympathetic nerve. In order to realise the principle of smoothing it, deep and long abdomen breathing is required. Because this kind of breathing can make the respiratory nerve excite. And the excitement of the respiratory nerve may expand to the parasympathetic nerve, thus making the small artery expand, lessening the block in blood circulation, lowering, blood pressure and slowing heart rate. Because of the different causes of diseases, different kinds of breathing method are needed. That is the theoretical basis of "emphasising on breath" in Daoyin exercise. This is also on the important reasons of achieving better results by practising on purpose than by practising in general.
3) Using the mind to lead the move of Qi. In Daoyin exercise, special emphasis is laid oil using the mind to lead the move of Qi. Combine the mind with movements while emphasis is laid on the mind. For instance, concentrating the mind on acupoints like Shangyang, Laogong, Dantian and Yongquan, leading Qi along the channels like Taiyin, Yangming, Queyin and Shaoyang, all are such examples. Why can the mind lead the move of Qi in 'the body? According to traditional Chinese medicine, when the mind arrives, Qi will naturally follow. When Qi arrives, the blood will circulate. When blood circulates, no disease will happen. Is this idealism? Certainly not. The development of information theory in recent years has made us come to understand this scientific theory. It is not idealistic to use the mind as leading the move of Qi. For example, in the set of 49 moves, when the mind has been concentrated on Laogong point for 3 minutes, the temperature will rise 0.5 degree C to 1.5 degrees C. This commonly feeling of heat in the palm is a clear evidence of using mind to lead the move of Qi. This is also why Daoyin Exercise pays a great emphasis on the activities of the mind.
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