The Chinese medical community has investigated the therapeutic value of standing pole (or pile stance) exercises since Wang Xiangzhai’s original research in the 1950’s. An explanation of the cycle of illness is: When the cerebral cortex becomes over excited or exhausted, the body's functioning suffers as a result to the point of illness. Likewise, illness, as a malfunctioning of the organs, sends out harmful stimuli to the cerebral cortex, placing an even further burden upon it. The aim of standing pole exercises is to break the illness cycle by providing the cerebral cortex with beneficial stimuli, causing it to relax.

Zhan Zhuang, the “standing pole” exercises of Yiquan, like Qigong forms, are "arts of nourishing life". Traditional forms of Qigong can be quite complex and include a wide variety of methods including: specialized movements, breathing techniques, acupressure, self-massage, meridian balancing and meditation. The traditional aim of Qigong practice was to achieve a healthy life by nourishing essence (Jing), vital breath (Qi) and spirit (Shen); terms that are foreign to the western mindset. Put simply, the development of these aspects results in a feeling of extraordinary well being, something anyone can relate to. Modern science has confirmed that regulating the body and mind through stress reduction, exercise and meditation are vital keys to good health. Today more and more health-conscious people are incorporating Qigong, Yiquan or Taijiquan in their daily life and reaping extraordinary benefits.

The Yiquan (Dachengquan) system has a similar goal but a different methodology than Qigong. The founder of Yiquan, Wang Xiangzhai, initially created it as a combat system but later adapted it for cultivating health. The standing pole exercises are not complex. There is no need to learn about or focus on meridians, qi and other concepts that are part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are no elaborate breathing sets or requirements to focus on meridians or esoteric energy centers. Thus, these exercises are natural and completely accessible to anyone regardless of background.

Qigong movements augment healing by enticing the blood and Qi to the location of illness. Qigong must be gentle by nature in order to relax the muscles and loosen the joints, allowing the free circulation of blood and Qi throughout the body. If such exercises were too strenuous, they would cause tension and stiffness thus obstructing free circulation and resulting in even further exhaustion and illness. All of these benefits occur as a natural by-product of the standing pole practice.

Standing pole exercises include standing postures, sitting postures, lying postures, moving exercises and walking forms. In the static forms, the internal organs settle and metabolic functions increase. Movement within non-movement is achieved, providing simultaneous rest and exercise. This method is uniquely important and more suitable in treating certain illnesses where many other forms of exercise are inappropriate.

·        Relaxation is achieved through the manner in which these exercises are practiced. The body is held for a requisite time period in a specific posture. The cerebral cortex eventually finds a soothing object of focus in order for the body to maintain the physical posture. When the object of focus in not overly stimulating, the relaxed sensation felt by the cerebral cortex leads to muscular relaxation, improved blood circulation and deeper respiration. The initial aches and numbness associated with a beginner's practice gradually disperses and is replaced by a warm, slightly numbing but very comfortable feeling. This feeling is a most beneficial stimulus to the cerebral cortex and the longer it lasts the cerebral cortex achieves even deeper relaxation, concentration and an inhibitory "quiet" state.

·        Electroencephalogram investigations have demonstrated this quiet state to be significantly different from sleep or hypnosis. It is characterized by the production of beta wave in the front portions of both hemispheres which increases in amplitude and expands towards the back of the hemispheres as practice progresses and the inhibitory state deepens. The alpha wave undergoes minimal change, though sometimes exhibiting a slight increase in amplitude, cycle extension and a trend towards a gradual slowing of rhythm.

·        Mental activities such as worry, anger and over thinking as well as unnecessary and excessive tensing of the body's muscles cause fatigue and bodily aches. Tension is commonly felt in the chest and shoulders and seen in the face. The steady practice of standing pole exercises has a pervasive effect on daily life so that excess tension and fatigue are permanently reduced or eventually eliminated.

·        During the standing pole exercises the pulse rate increases steadily and then eventually levels off. Immediately after practice the pulse rate does not drop suddenly. This makes it suitable for practice for those with heart trouble or the very frail. Breathing is allowed to respond naturally to the gradually rising needs of the metabolism. Breathing is not artificially slowed because that would deprive the body of oxygen. In strenuous types of exercise when oxygen intake cannot keep up with its consumption, as evidenced by labored breathing, there occurs a harmful build up waste products in the body such as lactic acid.

·        With steady practice, chest muscles eventually relax, allowing for very deep and perfectly natural breathing. There is an accompanying increase in lung capacity and a beneficial increase in the permeability of the pulmonary alveolus wall as well as expansion of the lung's capillaries. Further, greater chest expansion during inhalation increases pressure in the thorax, helping to draw blood out from the veins into the heart. Exhalation releases the pressure, helping the heart to push out blood. Lastly, there is a beneficial massaging effect of deep breathing on the internal organs as with each inhalation the diaphragm sinks and the mediastinum expands and with each exhalation the diaphragm rises and the mediastinum contracts.

·        Relaxation of the abdomen allows the abdominal organs to settle, while the movement of abdominal respiration coupled with pressure changes in the thorax creates a massaging motion on them. Investigations have shown that such a massaging action on the liver causes an increase in choleresis, which aids digestion, prevents stasis of the bile system and expands the blood capillaries in the liver. Such massage also helps to prevent stasis in the stomach and intestinal system, working against the development of ulcers, gastroenteritis, constipation and other abdominal disorders.

In summary, the standing pole exercises are a viable and effective method of self-treatment. As a non-strenuous but thorough mental and physical exercise they can be practiced by even the very frail, combating illness and strengthening the body without the side effects of other forms of treatment.