Confucius' way of strengthening the body

Confucius was a great educator and thinker in ancient China. However, his ideas on physical education and his practices of strengthening the body are little known to the world. Confucius' thought on physical education is an important part of his educational thought. In the history of education in our country, he was the first educator to advocate physical education. He advocated "devoting oneself to the Dao, basing oneself on virtue, relying on benevolence, and engaging in the arts", an idea that actually encompasses the all-round development of moral, intellectual and physical education. The main educational contents of Confucius included poetry, calligraphy, rites, music, archery and charioteering, etc. Among them, "archery and charioteering" respectively refer to archery and charioteering chariots. During the Spring and Autumn Period when feudal lords were annexing each other and wars were frequent, "archery and chariotwork" were important military sports, while "rites" and "music" not only included moral and ceremonial education but also contained elements of physical education and aesthetic education. As for the "archery ceremony" in rites and the "martial dance" in music, they fall more within the realm of sports. Confucius not only attached great importance to physical education for his students, but he himself was also fond of various physical activities and had profound attainments in archery and chariotwork. The Book of Rites: The Meaning of Archery states: "Confucius shot at the garden of Minister 矍, and the viewers were as blocked as a wall." This fully demonstrates his superb archery skills and thus attracted so many spectators. In "The Analects of Confucius: Zi Han", there is a passage in which Confucius humbly said, "What do I hold?" Are you in control? Is it about shooting? "I rule it!" " What am I doing? What about driving a carriage? Or be an archer? I'll drive the carriage!" Therefore, it goes without saying that he is good at charioteering. In addition to archery and chariotwork, Confucius often went on wild outings and mountain climbing with his disciples. During these trips, he would give lectures, discuss and enjoy the natural scenery at the same time. In the Analects of Confucius, Yan Yuan, it is recorded that Confucius and his disciple Fan Chi "swam under the dance 雩". In the "Mencius", there is also a record that "When Confucius climbed Mount Dongshan, he became a small Lu; when he climbed Mount Tai, he became a small world." Confucius was also fond of hunting and fishing. In the "Sacred Traces Picture" engraved in the Confucian Temple of Qufu, there is a record of his participation in hunting in the suburbs: "Confucius served in Lu. Lu people hunted in the suburbs, and Confucius did the same." In the "Shu Er" chapter of the Analects of Confucius, there are also records of Confucius' fishing and bird-shooting activities. Confucius was a tall, brave and powerful man. The Records of the Grand Historian: The House of Confucius Records: "Confucius was nine feet long and six inches in height. People all called him the elder and distinguished him." The ancient ruler was shorter than the modern one. One foot of the Zhou ruler was 19.91 centimeters in the current metric system. Calculated this way, Confucius' height was approximately over 1.80 meters. The Zuo Zhuan states: In the fifteenth year of Duke Xiang of Lu, when the troops of various vassal states invaded the city of Biyang, the suspended city gate suddenly dropped. Confucius raised the gate and rescued the vassal states. The Lushi Chunqiu also states: "Confucius' strength was so strong that he could lift the gates of the country, but he refused to use his force to hear." Confucius had such a physique and strength, which was inseparable from his frequent physical exercise. Moreover, Confucius traveled around various states throughout his life, leading a life of constant displacement. Despite this, he lived to be seventy-two years old, which was considered a long life at that time. Therefore, both his physical strength and lifespan are sufficient to demonstrate that Confucius benefited greatly from various fitness activities. In addition, Confucius also attached great importance to health care and was well-versed in the art of health preservation. In "The Analects of Confucius: Xiangdang", some of his reasonable hygiene principles are recorded: "If you eat 饐 and 餲, or if you are discouraged by fish and suffer from internal destruction, do not eat it." He is lustful and does not eat. It smells bad and is not edible. If food is not properly cooked, it should not be eaten. "Do not eat when it is not in season." " "Do not eat without ginger, and do not eat much." " "Don't talk while eating or sleeping." " It is truly commendable that such health care knowledge and good living habits originated over two thousand years ago.