中医养生，就是以传统中医理论为指导，通过各种方法保养生命、增强体质、预防疾病，从而达到延年益寿的一种医事活动。

Health preservation in traditional Chinese medicine is a medical practice designed to help keep a person fit, promote health and prevent disease through a variety of ways under the guidance of the theories of traditional Chinese medicine so as to make one live longer.

　   中医学把人身最重要的物质与功能活动概括为精、气、神。精、气是生命活动的物质基础，而神则被视为生命活动的外在表现。传统中医养生理论认为，精、气、神是生命的根本，是维持人体整个生命活动的三大要素。传统的养生方法，如气功、太极拳、五禽戏以及按摩、针灸等，其功效也都在于促进精气流通以使身体康健。

In traditional Chinese medicine, the most important material and functional activities of the human body are summarized into jing (essence of life), qi (vital energy) and shen (spirit). Jing and qi are the material basis for life activities, while shen is considered the outward manifestation of life activities. According to the theory of health preservation in traditional Chinese medicine, jing, qi and shen are the foundation of life and the three essences which maintain the human life. Traditional ways for health preservation, such as qigong, taijiquan, the Five-Animal Exercise, massage, acupuncture and moxibustion, all help to promote the circulation of jing and qi for the purpose of restoring health.

　   概括起来，中医养生的原则和方法可以分为四个方面，即天人合一、协调一致、动静结合、形神兼备。天人合一是中医养生的精髓，强调人与自然的关系。中医养生认为，人必须尊重自然规律，顺应自然环境、四时气候的变化，主动调整自我，保持与自然界的平衡，减少疾病的发生。协调一致包含阴阳协调、五脏相协作用两方面的含义，这是中医养生的基本思想。动静结合的基本思想是动以养形、静以养神，分为“运动养生”和“清静养生”两种。形神兼备是指在养生过程中既要注意形体的保养，更要重视精神心理方面的调适，通过调养，保持精神、情感以及心理上的健康。

Generally speaking, there are four major principles and methods for health preservation in traditional Chinese medicine, namely the unity of humans and nature, harmony and coordination, the association of activity and stillness, and the unity of form and spirit. The unity of humans and nature is the very essence of the health preservation theory in traditional Chinese medicine, emphasizing the relationship between mankind and nature. It is believed that human beings must observe the natural law, follow the changes of the natural environment and the climate, and take the initiative to adapt their own body to nature in order to increase their immunity to diseases. Harmony and coordination, meaning the harmony of yin and yang and the coordination of internal organs, are the basic idea embodied in the health preservation theory. The association of activity and stillness is based on the idea that activity is good for body building and stillness benefits mental tranquility, resulting in two types of methods to preserve health: the exercise-type and the repose-type. The unity of form and spirit requires that in the process of preserving health, one should pay attention not only to bodybuilding, but more importantly, to spiritual and mental adjustments so that the mental, emotional and psychological health can also be prolonged.

　   现在广泛流传的中医养生方法很多，如食养、药养、针灸、按摩、气功等。中医养生认为，养生在平时，应该以食疗为主，注重平时的锻炼和调养。三国时期著名医家华佗创制的“五禽戏”是一套在动作上模仿虎、鹿、熊、猿、鸟五种动物的养生健身功。它不仅能使肢体矫健，更重要的是能保持气血的流畅，有助于脏器功能的健全、机体平衡，从而达到健康长寿。

There are a wide variety of popular methods in traditional Chinese medicine for preserving health, such as food therapy, medicine therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion, massage and qigong, etc. It is believed that as health is preserved in everyday life, one should attach more importance to daily diet and exercise. The Five-Animal Exercise, created by Hua Tuo, a famous Chinese physician in the Three Kingdoms Period, is a set of physical exercises patterned upon the movements of the tiger, deer, bear, ape and bird, which strengthens the muscles and more importantly keeps the vital energy and blood in smooth circulation, the internal organs in good order and the organism in good balance, thereby contributing to good health and a long life.