Although many aspire to lead a joyful and lengthy life, few manage to do so. With today’s average lifespan ranging between 70 and 80 years, the tale of a Chinese man said to have lived nearly 250 years stands out as both captivating and mysterious. This individual was Li Ching-Yuen—a renowned Chinese healer, kung fu master, and military strategist—often regarded as history’s longest-living person. According to some accounts, Li reportedly stated he was born in 1736 and passed away in 1933, making him an impressive 197 years old during that period. Even more astounding claims place his birth year back to 1677, suggesting he reached the extraordinary age of 256 before passing away.
What set Li Ching-yun apart from others, enabling him to live beyond 250 years? Continue reading to discover the extraordinary story of this legendary figure—the oldest known person in China—and uncover his five key tips for long life right here:
1. Maintain an active lifestyle
2. Follow a simple, plant-based diet
3. Cultivate inner peace through meditation
4. Stay connected with family and community
5. Embrace change without resistance
As per a report published by The New York Times, a statement from China revealed that Li attributed his remarkable lifespan to something remarkably straightforward—peace of mind. He frequently mentioned that reaching beyond 100 years was achievable for anyone who learned to maintain inner tranquility.
It is well known that stress can seriously harm our health by disrupting the body’s natural balance. When we’re constantly stressed, the body releases high levels of cortisol, a hormone that can weaken the immune system, increase blood pressure, and contribute to heart disease over time. Stress also affects digestion, sleep, and mental clarity, leading to fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Long-term stress can even speed up ageing and raise the risk of chronic illnesses, making it essential to manage stress for overall well-being. And so, keeping stress at bay and living a peaceful life can play a powerful role in promoting a long and healthy life. Inner calm allows for better sleep, clearer thinking, and healthier relationships— all essential for overall well-being. This can be done by practising meditation, being mindful and expressing gratitude in life-- these can help one stay calm in chaos and handle life’s challenges better.
Returning to Li’s additional secrets for living longer, the document went on to mention that his extended lifespan was partly attributed to specific herbs he took throughout his life. As early as age 10, Li ventured into far-off places such as Tibet, Annam, and Siam in search of medicinal plants, which he later sold as a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. Among the natural remedies he offered were well-known ones like lingzhi mushrooms, goji berries, wild ginseng, and gotu kola. His personal lifestyle remained modest—his daily meals consisted largely of those same herbs along with rice wine, something experts say may have played an important role in both his exceptional longevity and overall wellness according to reports from Wikipedia.
When Li gained renown during his later years for his extraordinary lifespan, General Wu Peifu—also known as Wu Pei-fu—attracted Li Ching-yun into staying under his roof, eager to discover the mystery behind such an impressive age span. One of Li's disciples recounted how he described maintaining good health through old age poetically yet simply—"Remain peaceful within; move about lightly like a dove, stay grounded like a turtle, and slumber deeply like a hound." This phrase conveyed what mattered most according to Li himself: tranquility inside oneself combined gently active habits plus quality time spent sleeping—all seen essential ingredients toward achieving both lengthened existence alongside well-being overall said accounts suggest clearly enough without being too technical at all really quite beautifully actually put together metaphorically speaking even!
All about Li Ching-yun's personal life
Legends about Li’s age weren’t just self-proclaimed. In the 1930s, a Chinese professor also discovered imperial records celebrating Li’s 150th and 200th birthdays, which are proof of his incredibly long life. As for Li's personal life, by 1933 (the year Li died), it is said that he had 180 living descendants across 11 generations, and stories of him marrying 14 to 23 times only added to the mystery.Although skeptics doubted the authenticity of the records, numerous people who encountered Li during his last years were amazed by how young he appeared, often saying he looked as though he had turned back time by 200 years.
Whether true or not, Li Ching-yun continues to be an intriguing representation of wellness, simple living, and the strength found in peace and tranquility.
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Here are 7 yoga postures designed to alleviate back discomfort:
1. **Child’s Pose** – Gently stretches your spine, shoulders, and hips
2. **Cat-Cow Stretch** – Increases spinal flexibility and eases tension along the back
3. **Downward-Facing Dog** – Strengthens the upper body while stretching hamstrings and calves
4. **Cobra Pose** – Opens up the chest and improves posture for reduced strain on the lower back
5. **Bridge Pose** – Supports core strength and helps relieve stress from the neck and back area
6. **Seated Forward Bend** – Calms the mind and releases tightness down the entire backline of muscles
7. **Pigeon Pose** – Loosens hip flexors which can contribute significantly to low-back issues
Practicing these regularly may provide relief but always consult with professionals before beginning new routines!
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