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Sway the Head and Shake the Tail (搖頭擺尾去心火) This is said to regulate the function of the heart and lungs. This represents the 兌 Dui in the Bagua System. Wise Owl Gazes Backwards or Look Back (五勞七傷往後瞧) This is a stretch of the neck to the left and the right in an alternating fashion. This represents the 艮 Gun in the Bagua System. A smooth motion in which the hands switch positions is the main action, and it is said to especially stimulate the stomach. Separate Heaven and Earth (調理脾胃須單舉) This resembles a version of the first piece with the hands pressing in opposite directions, one up and one down. This represents the 巽 Xun in the Bagua System. It is said to exercise the waist area, focusing on the kidneys and spleen. Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk or Vulture (左右開弓似射鵰 ) While in a lower horse stance, the practitioner imitates the action of drawing a bow to either side. This represents the 乾 Qian in the Bagua System.
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It consists of an upward movement of the hands, which are loosely joined and travel up the center of the body. Standing Two Hands Hold up the Heavens (Shuang Shou Tuo Tian, 雙手托天 双手托天) This move is said to stimulate the "Triple Warmer" meridian (Sanjiao). The particular order in which the eight pieces are executed sometimes varies, with the following order being the most common. In the modern era, the standing version is by far the most widely practiced. The Baduanjin traditionally contains both a standing and seated set of eight postures each. The Baduanjin as a whole is broken down into eight separate exercises, each focusing on a different physical area and qi meridian. The legend states he taught the exercise to his men to help keep their bodies strong and well-prepared for battle. Martial historian Prof. Meir Shahar notes Yue's mention as a lineage master in the second preface of the Sinew Changing Classic manual (1624) is the reason why he was attributed as the creator of Baduanjin qigong. Nineteenth century sources attribute the style to semi-legendary Chinese folk hero General Yue Fei, and describe it as being created as a form of exercise for his soldiers.
#Eight pieces of brocade manual#
The exercise was later expanded from eight to twelve movements over the centuries and was described in the boxing manual Illustrated Exposition of Internal Techniques (1882) by Wang Zuyuan, a famed practitioner of the Sinew Changing Classic set. The same work assigns the creation of this exercise to two of the Eight immortals, namelyZhongli Quan and Lü Dongbin. 1300) features illustrations of all eight movements. 1150) describes an archaic form of this qigong. The Ten Compilations on Cultivating Perfection (Xiuzhen shi-shu, c.
#Eight pieces of brocade free#
And, did you know that you can practice Ba Duan Jin sitting or standing up?Ĭlick here try out the sequence or try a free sample.Įnjoy your practice.This exercise is mentioned in several encyclopedias originating from the Song Dynasty. But I do suggest to always start with #1 Bring Earth to Heaven and to always end with #8 Heaven Falling.
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You may want to pick one or two that are most relevant to you in the moment and practice each portion 5-10 times. You do not need to practice all 8 Brocades if you don’t have a lot of time. The 8 Brocades are also wonderful for anyone with lower back issues. The Ba Duan Jin as a whole is broken down into eight separate exercises, each focusing on cleansing and stimulating a different physical area and various qi meridians. The version I’m sharing was taught to me while living in southern China. Today, there are many 8 Brocade traditions and forms but its essence remains the same. What is clear is that the practice has helped many practitioners improve their overall well-being, balance, strength, focus and concentration.
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Some Qi Gong scholars and historians believe it was developed in the fifth century, some in the tenth century as well as the twelfth century to increase soldier vitality. in Yellow Emperor’s traditional Chinese medical text. It has also been traced as far back as 300 B.C. The 8 Brocades’ history and origin are still unclear but we have an idea that it was mentioned in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) text. Over time the breath will be deep and slow, and you want to coordinate the slow movement to sync in with the breath. The 8 pieces of brocade are eight individual mindful movements (exercises) that are practiced in a silken and smooth way.