以呼吸和按摩配合肢体运动的保健养生，是中国古代医疗体育的重要内容。早在3000多年前的夏商时期，人们为了长寿、健康，即创造了各种保健养生方法。在长期的历史发展中，包括导引、行气、按摩在内的各种养生形式，逐渐形成了独具特色的华夏民族体育的重要内容。
Health Preservation
Since the Xia (c.2100-c.2600BC) and Shang (c.2600-c.2100BC) dynasties, our ancestors have created a complete regimen of physical exercises, massage and regulated breathing (qigong) in order to live long in good health –a unique system that coordinates the body and the mind.
该器形呈12面体柱状，上刻篆书“行气”铭文45字，是研究我国古代“行气”养生最早、最具体的实物资料。
Section of "On Breathing Exercise"inscribed on a piece of jade during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), as the earliest extant artifact with an inscription on the maintenance and improvement of health.
《黄帝内经》是中国现存最早的一部医学经典著作，先秦医家和养生家的体育思想，主要反映在该书之中。
The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Inter Medicine, the earliest medical classic extant in China, which appeared earliest medical classic extant in China, which appeared in the Warring States Period, dealing with the medical theories of the time, including how.
陈抟（871——989）赐号“希夷先生”，所创十二月坐功，为坐式引导，分二十四式（由右向左），是一种按不同月令季节进行规定术式动作的健身功法。
An illustration by Chen Tuan (871-989) to daoyin exercises in 24 forms for the 12 months, consisting of movements to press the knees, extend the four limbs and turn the neck and so on according to different climates and seasons.
该图示系清朝人绘制的练功图谱，共3套。此为图谱第2套第5式。
An illustration from a book on qigong and regulated breathing, published in the Qing Dynasty.
此为图谱第3套第1式。
China Medical History Museum.