Chinese Sexual Yoga and the Way of Immortality

Abstract

Bedchamber arts belong to a broad tradition of macrobiotic practices within Chinese culture aimed at improving health and wellbeing, and extending the lifespan of the physical body. Related practices involve the regulation of breathing, the regulation of diet, consumption of special foods, and physical movement practices such as taijiquan (t’ai chi), qigong (ch’i-kung). Altogether these are known as nourishing life (yangsheng 養生) practices. Such methods are not necessarily religious practices, though they share a common aim with Chinese religions in ensuring the physical and spiritual health of the individual.