"Blue whales are known to live one hundred years and more. For animals of their size, seals and dolphins also enjoy a long lifespan. The giant turtle has become legendary as to its longevity. Turtles also hold the record in being able to remain over eight hours without breathing.These amazing abilities shared by all diving animals could not have remained unnoticed by the Taoists since they were keen observers of nature. Needham, in his monumental work on science in ancient China, describes the Taoists as the first scientists in human history, who carefully noted down their observations and elaborated theories and methods based on such observations.Considering that pearl diving, which started many thousands of years ago in China, was an additional incentive for Chinese to try to imitate nature, it becomes then evident how Taoists related longevity to the capacity to control and stop breathing. ... The Five Viscera:1. The heart, corresponding to fire 2. The lungs, corresponding to metal 3. The liver, corresponding to wood 4. The kidneys, corresponding to water 5. The spleen, corresponding to earth ... The Seven Injuries:1. Over-fullness injures the spleen 2. Great rage injures the liver 3. Fatigue and dampness injure the kidneys 4. Cold food or drink injure the lungs 5. Grief injures the heart 6. Storms and extreme climate injure the body 7. Fear and indulgence injure the will."