III. The stretching and retreating of upper arms in this routine can adjust the three yin meridians and the three yang meridians of hand, promote external-internal unity and yin-yang engagement, and improve the physical functions of viscera such as the heart, the lung, the small intestines, the large intestines, the triple energizers and the pericardium.

We all know that the three yin meridians of hand are the lung meridian of hand-taiyin, the pericardium meridian of hand-jueyin and the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin. The three yang meridians of hand include the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming, the triple energizer meridian of hand-shaoyang and the small intestine meridian of hand-taiyang.

According to TCM knowledge, the lung is located in the chest, and its meridians have exterior and interior relation with the large intestine, the organ of delivering. The lung is the supporting viscus with the main duty of maintaining all normal visceral functioning. It achieves unity with the skin and hair and opens to the nose. It has the function of breathing, refreshing meridians, purifying, lowering and making body fluid flow smoothly. It serves as the route for the air running in and out the body and can maintain the condition of the skin and the hair.

If the qi of lung cannot be purified and lowered normally, it may go up and leads to asthma and cough. If the abnormal qi interferes the metabolism of body fluid, this may cause the sluggish flow of fluid and even urinary stoppage with edema. If the qi of lung is too weak to nourish the skin and the hair, this can lead to their malnutrition and perishment.

According to TCM knowledge, the heart is located in the chest and achieves unity with meridians. Its meridians have exterior and interior relation with the small intestine, the organ receiving nutrients and discharging residues. The heart is the most important organ which controls mental activities like thinking and produces wit. It opens to the tongue. It serves as the ruler of the twelve viscera, the main center of thoughts and emotions, and the center of the body's vital movements which supports blood circulation.

If the heart is diseased, other viscera will also be affected. The insufficient qi of heart leads to inane blood vessels and a pale face. The weak qi of heart cause clogs that hinder blood flows, making the face become dark purple. The severe cardiac disease can cause psychiatric disorders and even deaths.

The pericardium is the tissue protecting the heart. If the heart is attacked by evil qi, the pericardium will be affected and diseased first. Because the triple energizers and the pericardium have an exterior-interior relation between them, clogged triple energizers can cause qi and blood blocked, letting them unable to flow to different parts of the body and making the whole body harmonized, nourished and manipulated.

It has been proved by practice that when doing “Wild Geese on the Sandbank”, the stretching and retreating of arms can effectively help the exerciser eliminate clogs in the three yin meridians and the three yang meridians of hand, and smooth the flow of qi and blood. Thus it can, at a certain extent, solve and prevent lung problems such as stagnating and counter-flowing of qi, cough, and asthma, heart problems like heartache, palpitation, qi-of-heart shortage, blood flow congestion, and triple energizer problems such as deafness, daze, and sore throat, “making qi and blood flow around smoothly to avoid pain”.

Judging from the three effects of “Wild Geese on the Sandbank” in Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong Shi Er Fa, it can be concluded that doing this routine is an important way to maintain the regular function of storing essence and digesting nourishment without letting them run off to the viscera. Practicing this routine also has the effects of gathering qi to the kidneys, warming the stomach, strengthening the spleen, clearing the liver and the gallbladder, dredging the triple energizers, strengthen the heart and the lung, and promoting the circulation of qi and blood. In this way, the exerciser’s health condition and daily living quality can be improved.

（By Zhang Guangde and Si Chaoquan）