夫胎精固神與守元氣同，但莫止出入之息可也。
To solidify the spirit and guard the primordial qi is similar, but one must not stop the breath’s natural flow.
有常以生氣時，以鼻引入口吐，吐二分餘一分，鼓口咽此氣，令喉中郁然有聲。
At regular intervals, during the time of generating qi, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, exhaling two parts and retaining one part. Then, gather the breath in the mouth and swallow it, making a sound in the throat.
此非胎元氣，是服其粗氣也。
This is not the primordial qi but the ingestion of coarse qi.
粗氣在腹，與元氣不同居也，粗氣是喘息之氣也。
Coarse qi resides in the abdomen and does not coexist with primordial qi. Coarse qi is the breath of ordinary respiration.
夫元氣雖至少而難散，為有粗氣之出入也。
Although primordial qi is subtle and difficult to disperse, it is affected by the coming and going of coarse qi.
且呼吸猶不欲自聞，況咽有聲乎？
Moreover, one should not even hear one’s own breath, let alone the sound of swallowing.
夫入氣粗則傷非，肺五臟之華蓋，氣下先至肺也。
If the incoming breath is coarse, it harms the lungs, the canopy of the five zang organs, as the breath first reaches the lungs.
凡服元氣，不隨粗而出入，則無有待生死之時也。
When ingesting primordial qi, it does not follow the coarse [breath] in and out, and thus there is no reliance on the time of life and death.
既鼓咽外氣入於元氣藏中，所以返傷於人也。
If one forces external breath into the storehouse of primordial qi, it will harm the person instead.
夫人用力者，皆用眾氣也，謂眾物之氣，飲食之品也。
Those who exert strength use the qi of many things, such as the qi of food and drink.
且眾氣只能舉重致遠運體而已，存之不能益人之壽，去之不能使人短折，何必禁閉也。
This qi of many things can only lift heavy objects, travel far, and move the body. Storing it cannot prolong life, and discarding it cannot shorten it. Why must it be restrained?
且用氣之術即粗氣也，可以移山嶽，決河海，製虎豹、縛賊盜，故知眾氣不及粗氣，粗氣可去之，元氣不可令出也。
The techniques of using qi refer to coarse qi, which can move mountains, part rivers and seas, subdue tigers and leopards, and restrain thieves and robbers. Thus, it is clear that the qi of many things is inferior to coarse qi. Coarse qi can be discarded, but primordial qi must not be allowed to escape.
夫保氣者，元氣也，非眾粗二氣。
To preserve qi is to preserve primordial qi, not the qi of many things or coarse qi.
若服元氣滿藏，則粗氣自除，即自以粗氣運動，不必須眾氣也。
If one fills the storehouse with primordial qi, coarse qi will naturally dissipate. Even if one uses coarse qi for movement, there is no need for the qi of many things.
夫休絕者，患其谷氣薰蒸五臟，是以絕之。
Those who abstain from food fear that the qi of grains will steam and harm the five zang organs.
今既修氣術，則谷氣自除，縱一日九餐，亦不能成患，終歲不食，亦不能羸困，則知氣之道遠矣哉！
But now, by cultivating qi techniques, the qi of grains will naturally dissipate. Even if one eats nine meals a day, it will not cause harm, and even if one fasts for a year, it will not lead to weakness. Thus, the understanding of the way of qi is profound!
夫導引不在於立名眾物，粉繪表形著圖，但無名狀也，或伸屈，或俯仰，或行臥，或倚立，或躑躅，或徐步，或吟，或息，皆導引也。
Daoyin (lit. guiding and pulling) does not lie in creating names for many things, painting forms, or illustrating diagrams, but in nameless and formless actions. Whether stretching or bending, bowing or leaning back, walking or lying down, standing or leaning, pacing or walking slowly, chanting or resting—all are forms of daoyin.
不必每晨為之，但覺身有不理則行之。
It is not necessary to practise it every morning, but whenever one feels the body is out of harmony, it should be done.
皆當閉氣：閉氣，節其氣沖以通也亦不待立息數，待氣似極，則先以鼻少引入，然後口吐出也。
In all cases, one should hold the breath: holding the breath regulates the rushing of qi to ensure its flow. There is no need to count breaths; when the breath seems to reach its limit, first inhale a little through the nose, then exhale through the mouth.
緣氣閉既久則沖喉，若不更引，而便以口吐，則氣不一，粗而傷肺矣。
If the breath is held for too long, it rushes to the throat. If one does not inhale again but exhales directly through the mouth, the qi will become uneven, coarse, and thus injure the lungs.
但疾愈則已，不可使身汗，有汗則受風，以搖動故也。
Once the ailment is cured, stop the practice. Do not let the body sweat, as sweating makes one susceptible to wind, due to the body’s movement.
凡人導引，骨節有聲，如大引則聲大，小引則聲小，則筋緩氣通也。
When people practise daoyin, their joints may make sounds. If the movements are large, the sounds are loud; if the movements are small, the sounds are soft. This indicates that the tendons are relaxed and the qi is flowing.
夫導引療未患之疾，通不和之氣，動之則百關氣暢，閉之則三宮血凝，實養生之大律，祛疾之玄術矣。
Daoyin treats illnesses before they arise and harmonises unbalanced qi. When practised, the qi flows smoothly through all the joints; when neglected, the blood stagnates in the three palaces (upper, middle, and lower dantian). Truly, it is a great principle of nurturing life and a profound method for dispelling disease.