Editor's Note: Wudang, stretching eight hundred miles, is a place of outstanding natural beauty and a cultural heritage that spans a thousand years. As a brilliant gem of China's fine traditional culture, Wudang culture integrates Taoist philosophy, ecological wisdom, the essence of health care, the charm of martial arts and architectural aesthetics. It accumulates the wisdom of Eastern life and spiritual pursuit, and is a precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. Under the new circumstances, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture has become an important issue of The Times. How Wudang culture can break away from the deep mountains and integrate into the contemporary era, and how it can empower modern development and nourish people's lives with traditional wisdom, are the core issues that we have been continuously delving into and exploring. For this reason, Qin Chu Network has specially launched the column "Masters Talk about Wudang Culture", welcoming scholars, researchers and enthusiasts of Wudang culture to freely express their insightful views and jointly explore the practical path for the dynamic inheritance of Wudang culture, so that the wisdom of the thousand-year-old Wudang culture can shine into all aspects of modern life.

"Valuing human beings and life, the Taoist way values life." Rooted in the thousand-year-old Taoist culture of Wudang Mountain, health and wellness medicine takes "harmony between man and nature" and "balance of Yin and Yang" as its core concepts, and uses Taoist medicine, martial arts, dietary therapy, and self-cultivation as its practical carriers to build a complete health system integrating prevention, treatment, and health preservation. In the current era when the "Healthy China" strategy is being deeply advanced and the big health industry is booming, this ancient wisdom is responding to the health demands of modern people through creative transformation, promoting the harmonious resonance between traditional health care and the modern big health industry.

The ideological foundation of Wudang's health and wellness wisdom is deeply rooted in the Taoist philosophy of "harmony between man and nature" and the traditional medical concept of "preventing diseases before they occur". In the "Suwen" section of the "Huangdi Neijing", it is stated: "The best practitioners treat diseases before they occur, not after they have. This is what is meant by this." This concept is in line with the trend of the modern big health industry of "shifting from treatment to health management". Taoism holds that "man follows the earth, the earth follows the heaven, the heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature", believing that the human body is closely linked to the natural rhythm; otherwise, the balance of Yin and Yang will be disrupted. Wudang Taoism has extended it to the practice principle of "the body is in harmony with the Tao, the mind is in harmony with the Tao", emphasizing the dual harmony of the body and mind with nature, making up for the deficiency of modern medicine that "emphasizes the body but neglects the mind", and providing profound cultural support for the full-cycle health service.

Unlike some superficial "pseudo-health preservation" practices, Wudang health care is a systematic system that can be implemented and replicated. Its core lies in "conforming to nature, harmonizing the body and mind, and treating both symptoms and root causes". All its practices are based on historical records, experiences and cases. Nowadays, through deep integration with industries such as healthcare, culture and tourism, sports and agriculture, it contributes to the high-quality development of the health industry and enables the wisdom of a thousand years to serve the healthy life of contemporary people.

"Harmony" in Taoist medicine:

New solutions to chronic diseases and sub-health

Wudang Taoist Medicine. Photo by reporter Zhang Jianbo

Wudang Daoist medicine, as the core carrier, adheres to the concept of "medicine and Daoism sharing the same origin", integrating the Daoist ideas of "balance of Yin and Yang" and "mutual generation of the Five elements" with traditional diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. The "Secret Transmission of Wudang Daoist Medicine" records: "Medicine is the application of the Dao." The Dao is the essence of medicine. The unity of body and function is the right path. Its approach of "treating based on syndrome differentiation and being natural and gentle" coincides with modern precision medicine and traditional Chinese medicine health care, and it has obvious advantages in dealing with sub-health and chronic diseases.

The core of Wudang Daoist medicine lies in "harmonizing Yin and Yang", believing that the essence of diseases is the imbalance of Yin and Yang and the stasis of qi and blood, and the treatment focuses on "restoring balance". This approach aligns with the contemporary people's demand for green and low-side-effect treatment methods. Its techniques such as moxibustion, massage, and Taoist medicine conditioning have been rejuvenated in modern health and wellness practices.

Mr. Wang, 45 years old, from Zhangwan District, Shiyan City, has been working at a desk for a long time and has been suffering from neck and shoulder pain as well as insomnia. Various Western medical treatments have not been effective. In 2024, he went to the Wudang Mountain Taoist Medicine Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Base for medical treatment. Combining the patient's constitution of "deficiency of qi and blood and stasis of meridians", Daoist medicine used local mugwort for moxibustion, combined with guiding exercises to stimulate acupoints, and supplemented with Polygonatum odoratum and Gastrodia elata tea for conditioning. Three months later, the symptoms were significantly relieved and the mental state was completely renewed. He sighed, "Before, I thought health preservation was a kind of mysticism. But after experiencing it, I realized that gentle conditioning that follows the body's laws is more effective."

The modern transformation of Wudang Taoist medicine is driving the industry towards standardization. In 2023, the first Wudang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Conference brought together over 200 experts and inheritors, initiating the formulation of the "Dao Yang Standards" and the compilation of the "Dao Yang Science", promoting the transformation of Dao medicine from "experience inheritance" to "standardization and scientification". The Wudang Mountain Tourism Economic Special Zone has collaborated with Hubei University of Chinese Medicine to establish a base for the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, creating a "Taoist medicine + rehabilitation" model. It has launched systematic conditioning plans for chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, achieving a seamless connection between "treatment + health care".

The industrialization of genuine medicinal materials is also advancing simultaneously. Relying on its "natural medicine repository" advantage, Wudang Mountain has carefully selected 417 kinds of genuine medicinal materials recorded in Compendium of Materia Medica. Through the "enterprise + cooperative + farmer" model, it has built an integrated system covering planting, processing and sales. The Wudang Polygonatum odoratum grown by local farmers, after deep processing, is made into related products. This not only increases their income but also provides high-quality raw materials for the health industry, thus forging a win-win path for culture, ecology and industry.

"Breaking Out of the Circle" in martial arts

A new engine for the health of all

At the Yuzhen Palace on Wudang Mountain, the masses formed a neat and uniform performance of the Nine postures of Tai Chi. Photo by Zhang Jianbo

Wudang martial arts are centered on the principle of "using softness to overcome hardness and balancing movement and stillness". Taiji, born from the boundless, is the mechanism of movement and stillness, and the mother of Yin and Yang. In his "On Tai Chi Chuan", Zhang Sanfeng expounded that the essence of Wudang martial arts does not lie in competitive confrontation, but in achieving smooth flow of qi and blood and balance of Yin and Yang through physical movement and breathing, so as to achieve the effects of strengthening the body, preventing diseases and delaying aging.

Gao Feng's research from Hubei University of Medicine has confirmed that exercises such as Wudang Tai Chi and Baduanjin can effectively improve heart and lung function, regulate endocrine, and have significant regulatory effects on sub-health conditions such as hypertension and insomnia, as well as chronic diseases. Compared with competitive sports, it has a low threshold, gentle movements, and is not restricted by age or venue, providing a convenient path for the popularization of health for all.

Aunt Li, a 68-year-old retired teacher from Danjiangkou City, has suffered from hypertension and osteoporosis for many years and is prone to irritability. In 2022, she joined the Wudang martial arts health preservation class in the community, practicing the "Wudang Nine-Posture Tai Chi Chuan" every day and combining it with guiding exercises. Half a year later, the blood pressure stabilized, the pain lessened, and the personality became much more cheerful. She said, "In the past, I thought that if I was not in good health, I could only take medicine. Practicing Tai Chi can not only stretch my muscles and bones but also calm my mind." Nowadays, she has become a leading figure in community health preservation.

In terms of industrial integration, Wudang martial arts are accelerating their integration into the sports and cultural tourism sectors. Wudang Mountain has promoted the "Four Enters" activities of martial arts, listing "Wudang Nine-Posture Tai Chi Chuan" as a national fitness event and offering it as a course in primary and secondary schools. Danjiangkou City has gathered 23 martial arts schools and health and wellness bases, forming a diversified business model featuring "youth inheritance, adult training, and international exchanges". The "integration of martial arts and wellness" cluster has taken shape initially.

Wudang Mountain Tai Chi Health Valley has created a "martial arts health preservation + vacation" model. In 2024, it will receive over 100,000 health preservation tourists and drive an increase of more than 200 million yuan in revenue for the surrounding areas. Meanwhile, Wudang martial arts have established 45 promotion centers worldwide, developed over 500,000 members, and held two consecutive World Tai Chi Conferences, making the wisdom of Wudang health preservation a shared wealth globally.

New food therapy "introduced"

The health tips in every meal

Taoist vegetarian dishes. Photo by Zhang Jianbo

Food is the Paramount necessity of the people, and nourishment comes first in food. Wudang food therapy centers on the principles of "food and medicine sharing the same origin" and "adapting to the four seasons". "By eating and drinking in moderation, maintaining a regular daily routine, and not overexerting oneself, one can maintain both physical and mental health and live out one's natural years to the fullest." " Wudang Taoism holds that food and medicine have the same origin. Different ingredients have different natures and flavors corresponding to different constitutions. Reasonable combination can nourish the body and mind, breaking the fixed perception that "one must take medicine when ill", and providing a useful reference for the field of healthy diet.

Wudang dietary therapy emphasizes that diet should be adapted to the season and constitution: in spring, sprouts are eaten to soothe the liver; in summer, winter melon and coix seed are consumed to remove dampness; in autumn, pears and lilies are eaten to moisten dryness; and in winter, mutton and polygonatum odoratum are eaten for nourishment. This natural way of eating is in line with the modern concept of green and healthy living.

Among the modern dietary therapy plans summarized by the Taoist priest of Zixiao Palace on Wudang Mountain, products such as "Chicken Stewed with Polygonatum odoratum" and "Lotus Leaf Tea" combine both taste and health benefits. Ms. Li, an office worker in Wuhan, suffered from weak spleen and stomach and dull complexion due to long-term staying up late and irregular diet. After adjusting her diet according to Wudang food therapy for three months, her spleen and stomach functions improved and her complexion became rosy. She truly felt the health benefits of diet itself.

Wudang food therapy is accelerating its industrialization process. Relying on the scientific research strength of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, the Wudang Mountain Tourism Economic Special Zone has developed a series of products such as Wudang medicinal pillows, mountain delicacies and Polygonatum odoratum. Among them, the "Wudang Mountain Delicacies" made from local mushrooms and wild vegetables, after modern processing, have achieved an annual sales volume of over 50 million yuan.

Meanwhile, the concept of dietary therapy is also driving the transformation of agriculture. Danjiangkou City has built a "Wudang Food Therapy Ingredients Base", growing crops such as winter melon and coix seed. These crops are sold across the country through both online and offline channels. This not only ensures the quality of the ingredients but also contributes to rural revitalization, transforming the wisdom of "food and medicine sharing the same origin" into income growth and industrial momentum.

"Healing of the mind and nature"

Prescribe a calming remedy for the anxious age

The core of Wudang health care lies in "harmony of body and mind, and co-cultivation of form and spirit", emphasizing that mental health is as important as physical health. "Embrace simplicity and purity, have few selfish desires, and be free from worries about unique skills." " Wudang Taoism holds that psychological imbalance is an important root cause of diseases. In today's fast-paced world, problems such as anxiety and depression are becoming increasingly prominent. Wudang's mind and nature cultivation offers a unique healing approach.

Wudang's cultivation of the mind and nature centers on "reaching the extreme of emptiness and maintaining a firm state of stillness". It aims to calm the mind and return to peace through methods such as sitting in meditation, contemplation, Taoist music therapy, and reciting the Tao Te Ching. This approach is similar to modern "mindfulness therapy", but it is more culturally profound.

Wudang Taoist music performance. Photo by Zhang Jianbo

Wudang Taoist music is hailed as the "living fossil of ancient Chinese music", with its soothing and ethereal tunes that help soothe emotions. Xiao Zhang, an employee of an Internet company in Shiyan, has long been under great pressure and suffered from anxiety and insomnia. In 2023, he participated in the "Quiet Mind Study Tour" at Wudang Mountain. Every day, he sat in meditation, listened to Taoist music and read the "Tao Te Ching". Just one week later, his insomnia was effectively relieved.

Nowadays, the cultivation of one's character in Wudang and modern mental health services are deeply integrated. Wudang Mountain has launched a business model of "forest health care + mental regulation". Many institutions have invited experts and Taoist masters to collaborate and offer a service of "mental regulation + psychological counseling", formulating integrated plans for issues such as anxiety and depression to achieve "harmony of body and mind".

Wudang Mountain Jingxin Health and Wellness Center offers personalized courses for different groups such as teenagers with pre-exam anxiety and workplace pressure, and is equipped with professional Taoist priests and psychological counselors. In 2024, the center received and treated over 30,000 people, with an efficiency rate of over 85%, setting an industry benchmark.

From Inheritance to Empowerment

How does Wudang Health care support the big health industry

The "Healthy China" strategy brings significant opportunities for the modern transformation of health and wellness in Wudang. Its overall health perspective and the concept of "preventing diseases before they occur" are in line with the demands of the modern big health industry. Through the diversified integration of "health and wellness +", it is becoming an important support for industrial upgrading and the health of the entire population.

In terms of industrial integration, Wudang Mountain has promoted the transformation of homestays and hotels into health and wellness facilities. Currently, nearly a hundred characteristic homestays have been built. Danjiangkou City has taken martial arts health care as an important approach to the silver economy and promoted the standardized development of the integration of martial arts and health care. The integration of health care and agriculture is achieved through the coordinated development of genuine medicinal materials and ecological planting.

In terms of standardization and internationalization, the "Daoyang Standards" have clearly defined service norms. The General Hospital of Wudang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Research Institute (Central Asia) has built a bridge for the dissemination of the "Belt and Road Initiative", and the Shiyan International Communication Center has hired recommenders to continuously enhance the international influence of Wudang's health and wellness.

In terms of universal popularization, the "Four Enters" of martial arts, dietary therapy and mind-nature courses have been widely promoted. Wudang Mountain has developed 24 study Tours in 6 major categories, and through new media, has made the wisdom of health care more youthful and popular.

At present, Wudang's health and wellness industry still faces some challenges. The qualifications of some institutions vary greatly, and the phenomenon of "pseudo-health care" occurs occasionally. The exploration of core values is not deep enough, and there are problems of products and services being merely formalistic. The shortage of professional talents makes it difficult for the industry to form a scale. In this regard, we need to adhere to the right path while innovating, uphold standards and persevere with determination.

The thousand-year-old health and wellness wisdom passed down in Wudang Mountain is being creatively transformed and deeply integrated with the modern big health industry, becoming an important force in the construction of "Healthy China". Up to now, Wudang Mountain has established carriers such as the intangible cultural heritage base of Taoist medicine and the Tai Chi Health Valley, cultivated dozens of health and wellness related entities, developed products such as the Polygonatum odoratum series and Wudang Mountain delicacies, and driven the increase of income for the local people. With 45 promotion centers and over 500,000 members worldwide, Wudang martial Arts has become a bright calling card of China's health and wellness culture. The formulation of the "Daoyang Standards" is steadily advancing, and Wudang health care is moving from "experience inheritance" to a new stage of "standardized and scientific" development. It can be foreseen that with the continuous deepening of innovation and transformation, Wudang health care will surely inject more impetus into the big health industry, benefit a wider range of people, and become an important carrier for Chinese excellent traditional culture to serve global health.

(Zhang Zhongchi, the author, is a master's student in regional industry and a researcher of Wudang culture.