养身莫善于习动
Yǎng Shēn Mò Shàn Yú Xí Dòng

"There is no better way to maintain health than regular movement."

This timeless saying comes from the Qing Dynasty scholar 颜元 (Yán Yuán, 1635–1704), a noted educator and reformer whose views on health were refreshingly practical. The phrase literally means: "There's nothing better for nurturing the body than habitual movement." It reminds us that while rest, food, and medicine all play their roles, the foundation of good health is regular, mindful activity.

Yan Yuan's philosophy emerged during a period of scholarly introspection in late imperial China. Unlike many of his contemporaries who emphasized book learning over bodily discipline, Yan Yuan saw physical cultivation as equally vital. He urged his students not only to read Confucian classics but also to engage in physical practices such as taijiquan and traditional martial arts. For him, movement was not just a matter of staying fit—it was a moral practice, reinforcing discipline, focus, and inner balance. His teachings on the importance of movement influenced many scholars and practitioners, establishing a long-lasting legacy in the promotion of health through exercise in Chinese society.

The idea of nurturing life through movement (yangsheng) is deeply rooted in Chinese tradition. Daoist and Confucian texts alike promote regular, moderate activity as a way to harmonize the body's internal rhythms with the natural world. Whether through walking, breathing exercises, or gentle qigong routines, the principle is the same: stagnation leads to decline; movement brings vitality.

In a world where sedentary habits are increasingly the norm, this simple but profound idiom offers enduring wisdom. You don't need a gym membership or a strict regimen—just the daily habit of moving with awareness. As Yan Yuan might say: "Let movement become your medicine".

—Qi Journal 2025