CAMPBELL: The ancient religion of Daoism has long enriched its followers in mind and body. As well as revering the spirits of ancestors, it teaches meditation and exercise for good health and long life. Daoist principles of balancing the yin and yang have shaped the pillars of Chinese traditional medicine – from acupuncture and massage to Tai Chi.
Here in Taiwan the principles of Daoism have now been turned into a practice unlike anything you’ve ever seen, in which men of all ages do things you would not have thought possible.
Tu Chin-Sheng is the grand master of Yin Diao Gong, an extraordinary and controversial form of medicine for men who want to be all they can be. In his school in downtown Taipei, devotees limber up for what he insists is an ancient art, almost lost in the mists of time.
TU CHIN-SHENG: Yes, it’s a Chinese Daoist cultivation method. I think it originated in the earliest times in China but you cannot find this in China now.
CAMPBELL: After deep breathing, each man ties a soft sash around his penis and scrotum and straps on a five kilogram weight.
TU CHIN-SHENG: The area that we work on is very well exercised, particularly the lower abdomen and the waist areas, because these muscle groups are generally not touched when you do other types of exercise. Therefore, by exercising this area it doesn’t just improve your health but also improves your sex.
CAMPBELL: Yin Daio Gong is based on the Daoist concept of Qi, a mystical life force that flows through every one of us. It can be translated as air, essence or spirit and when nurtured from the loins, spreads benefits throughout the body.
TU CHIN-SHENG: We tell our students that this Yin Diao Gong basically improves body organs and strengthens and maintains them. When you have full essence and strong Qi, you will have a clear head and your face will be radiant, looking good naturally. So for those who have a poor complexion and poor energy and become ill easily, Yin Diao Gong can improve their health and make one stronger – especially those aging men getting physically weaker, with falling immunity, and a deteriorating sex drive.
CAMPBELL: Chang Xi came here four years ago when he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.
CHANG XI: Surgery has too many side effects so I did not have an operation, and came here to practise this. Practising this Gong, I was cured after one week.
CAMPBELL: His wife, Lirui Mei, says it’s made him a new and better man.
LIRUI MEI: In better physical condition – improved male sexual function. There is big help. It’s different.
CAMPBELL: Even the older practitioners can perform extraordinary acts of strength, lifting as much as 200 kilograms in weight.
CHANG XI: The feeling is that I become erect as soon as the Qi starts flowing through my body. I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. I don’t feel much. The Qi does the lifting.
CAMPBELL: Conventional science is yet to recognise the benefits of Yin Diao Gong. Some doctors have suggested it may cause serious injury. Master Tu believes it’s all a matter of training.
TU CHIN-SHENG: Usually, when you have enough Gong potency and don’t force yourself too much, there won't be any danger. But for people who do not understand it, and then try to do it after seeing it done there may be danger.
CAMPBELL: And so, at Master Tu’s urging, I was initiated into the ancient world of Yin Daio Gong.
So what do I do with this? [Campbell is handed the strap to tie around him] I’m going to regret this. Okay yeah let’s give it a burl. Why am I doing this?
Each devotee remembers his first time and gathers in solidarity to instruct a novitiate. Soon a crowd has gathered to help me on my way.
Geoff, we might do this, can you just wait in the other room for a minute. You give me the weight. Okay so. So how many kilos is this? [Campbell lifts 2.5 kilos]
[All applaud]
I can’t feel any immediate health benefits, it’s very much as you’d imagine it would be, it rather hurts. I think probably 2.5 kilos is my limit at this early stage but the idea of lifting 200 kilos is, ah I don’t think so.
The more experienced practitioners are still to discover the limits of Yin Diao Gong. As their Qi grows, so do their feats of strength – one man even offering to pull our van.
TU CHIN-SHENG: The tow-truck worker will then tie it and pull it away backwards, by utilising the Qi down there. It can be pulled. He’s now trying it. [Shot of man pulling van with penis]
CAMPBELL: Master Tu believes conventional medicine will one day recognise the benefits of this exercise and even see it as a safe alternative to potency enhancing drugs like Viagra.
TU CHIN-SHENG: Viagra is good for one use, when you take it once – but Yin Diao Gong is good for life after you practise it.
CAMPBELL: [Harnessed to second man's penis] The popularity of this unusual martial art is spreading fast. There are already five Yin Diao Gong centres in Taiwan, even one in Los Angeles, nothing in Australia yet but after this story, who knows. But remember, these men are highly trained – don’t try this at home. [Man raises Campbell up off the ground]
Here in Taiwan the principles of Daoism have now been turned into a practice unlike anything you’ve ever seen, in which men of all ages do things you would not have thought possible.
Tu Chin-Sheng is the grand master of Yin Diao Gong, an extraordinary and controversial form of medicine for men who want to be all they can be. In his school in downtown Taipei, devotees limber up for what he insists is an ancient art, almost lost in the mists of time.
TU CHIN-SHENG: Yes, it’s a Chinese Daoist cultivation method. I think it originated in the earliest times in China but you cannot find this in China now.
CAMPBELL: After deep breathing, each man ties a soft sash around his penis and scrotum and straps on a five kilogram weight.
TU CHIN-SHENG: The area that we work on is very well exercised, particularly the lower abdomen and the waist areas, because these muscle groups are generally not touched when you do other types of exercise. Therefore, by exercising this area it doesn’t just improve your health but also improves your sex.
CAMPBELL: Yin Daio Gong is based on the Daoist concept of Qi, a mystical life force that flows through every one of us. It can be translated as air, essence or spirit and when nurtured from the loins, spreads benefits throughout the body.
TU CHIN-SHENG: We tell our students that this Yin Diao Gong basically improves body organs and strengthens and maintains them. When you have full essence and strong Qi, you will have a clear head and your face will be radiant, looking good naturally. So for those who have a poor complexion and poor energy and become ill easily, Yin Diao Gong can improve their health and make one stronger – especially those aging men getting physically weaker, with falling immunity, and a deteriorating sex drive.
CAMPBELL: Chang Xi came here four years ago when he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.
CHANG XI: Surgery has too many side effects so I did not have an operation, and came here to practise this. Practising this Gong, I was cured after one week.
CAMPBELL: His wife, Lirui Mei, says it’s made him a new and better man.
LIRUI MEI: In better physical condition – improved male sexual function. There is big help. It’s different.
CAMPBELL: Even the older practitioners can perform extraordinary acts of strength, lifting as much as 200 kilograms in weight.
CHANG XI: The feeling is that I become erect as soon as the Qi starts flowing through my body. I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. I don’t feel much. The Qi does the lifting.
CAMPBELL: Conventional science is yet to recognise the benefits of Yin Diao Gong. Some doctors have suggested it may cause serious injury. Master Tu believes it’s all a matter of training.
TU CHIN-SHENG: Usually, when you have enough Gong potency and don’t force yourself too much, there won't be any danger. But for people who do not understand it, and then try to do it after seeing it done there may be danger.
CAMPBELL: And so, at Master Tu’s urging, I was initiated into the ancient world of Yin Daio Gong.
So what do I do with this? [Campbell is handed the strap to tie around him] I’m going to regret this. Okay yeah let’s give it a burl. Why am I doing this?
Each devotee remembers his first time and gathers in solidarity to instruct a novitiate. Soon a crowd has gathered to help me on my way.
Geoff, we might do this, can you just wait in the other room for a minute. You give me the weight. Okay so. So how many kilos is this? [Campbell lifts 2.5 kilos]
[All applaud]
I can’t feel any immediate health benefits, it’s very much as you’d imagine it would be, it rather hurts. I think probably 2.5 kilos is my limit at this early stage but the idea of lifting 200 kilos is, ah I don’t think so.
The more experienced practitioners are still to discover the limits of Yin Diao Gong. As their Qi grows, so do their feats of strength – one man even offering to pull our van.
TU CHIN-SHENG: The tow-truck worker will then tie it and pull it away backwards, by utilising the Qi down there. It can be pulled. He’s now trying it. [Shot of man pulling van with penis]
CAMPBELL: Master Tu believes conventional medicine will one day recognise the benefits of this exercise and even see it as a safe alternative to potency enhancing drugs like Viagra.
TU CHIN-SHENG: Viagra is good for one use, when you take it once – but Yin Diao Gong is good for life after you practise it.
CAMPBELL: [Harnessed to second man's penis] The popularity of this unusual martial art is spreading fast. There are already five Yin Diao Gong centres in Taiwan, even one in Los Angeles, nothing in Australia yet but after this story, who knows. But remember, these men are highly trained – don’t try this at home. [Man raises Campbell up off the ground]