The Baduanjin qigong() is one of the most common forms of Chinese

qigong ''Qigong'' (), ''qi gong'', ''chi kung'', ''chi 'ung'', or ''chi gung'' () is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. With roots in ...

used as exercise. Variously translated as Eight Pieces of Brocade, Eight-Section Brocade, Eight Silken Movements or Eight Silk Weaving, the name of the form generally refers to how the eight individual movements of the form characterize and impart a

silken Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known silk is obtained from the coc ...

quality (like that of a piece of brocade) to the body and its

energy In physics, energy (from Ancient Greek: ἐνέργεια, ''enérgeia'', “activity”) is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of hea ...

. The Baduanjin is primarily designated as a form of medical qigong, meant to improve health. This is in contrast to religious or martial forms of qigong. However, this categorization does not preclude the form's use by martial artists as a supplementary exercise, and this practice is frequent.

History

This exercise is mentioned in several encyclopedias originating from the

Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...

. The ''Pivot of the Way'' (Dao Shi, c. 1150) describes an archaic form of this qigong. The ''Ten Compilations on Cultivating Perfection'' (Xiuzhen shi-shu, c. 1300) features illustrations of all eight movements. The same work assigns the creation of this exercise to two of the

Eight Immortals The Eight Immortals () are a group of legendary '' xian'' ("immortals") in Chinese mythology. Each immortal's power can be transferred to a vessel () that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight vessels are called the "Covert Eight ...

, namely

Zhongli Quan Zhongli Quan, courtesy name Jidao, is a Chinese mythological figure and one of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist pantheon. He is also known as Han Zhongli because he was said to have been born in the Han dynasty. In legend, he wields a large f ...

and

Lü Dongbin Lü Dongbin (796 CE – 1016 CE) is a legendary Chinese scholar and poet said to have lived during the Tang Dynasty. Whether he actually lived the two hundred and twenty years cannot be determined. Elevated to the status of an immortal in the ...

. 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. Nineteenth century sources attribute the style to semi-legendary Chinese folk hero General

Yue Fei Yue Fei ( zh, t=岳飛; March 24, 1103 – January 28, 1142), courtesy name Pengju (), was a Chinese military general who lived during the Southern Song dynasty and a national hero of China, known for leading Southern Song forces in the wa ...

,Shahar, ''The Shaolin Monastery'', p. 168 and describe it as being created as a form of exercise for his soldiers. 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 Meir Shahar ( he, מאיר שחר, born in 1959 in Jerusalem) is the Shaul Eisenberg Chair for East Asian Affairs at Tel Aviv University. Academic career Meir Shahar attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and then studied Chinese in Taipei ...

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.

The sections

The Baduanjin as a whole is broken down into eight separate exercises, each focusing on a different physical area and qi meridian. The Baduanjin traditionally contains both a standing and seated set of eight postures each. In the modern era, the standing version is by far the most widely practiced. The particular order in which the eight pieces are executed sometimes varies, with the following order being the most common.

Standing

;Two Hands Hold up the Heavens (Shuang Shou Tuo Tian): This move is said to stimulate the "Triple Burner" aka "Triple Warmer" or "Triple Heater"

meridian Meridian or a meridian line (from Latin ''meridies'' via Old French ''meridiane'', meaning “midday”) may refer to Science * Meridian (astronomy), imaginary circle in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the celestial equator and horizon * ...

(Sanjiao). It consists of an upward movement of the hands, which are loosely joined and travel up the center of the body. ;Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Eagle / Hawk / Vulture: While in a lower

horse stance The horse stance (sometimes called horse riding stance) is a common posture in Asian martial arts and takes its name from the position assumed when riding a horse. It is called ''mǎbù'' (馬步) in Chinese, in Japanese, and ''juchum seogi'' ...

, the practitioner imitates the action of drawing a bow to either side. It is said to exercise the waist area, focusing on the kidneys and spleen. ;Separate Heaven and Earth: This resembles a version of the first piece with the hands pressing in opposite directions, one up and one down. A smooth motion in which the hands switch positions is the main action, and it is said to especially stimulate the stomach. ;Wise Owl Gazes Backwards or Look Back: This is a stretch of the neck to the left and the right in an alternating fashion. ;Sway the Head and Shake the Tail: This is said to regulate the function of the heart and lungs. Its primary aim is to remove excess heat (or fire) (xin huo) from the heart. ''Xin huo'' is also associated with heart fire in

traditional Chinese medicine Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. It has been described as "fraught with pseudoscience", with the majority of its treatments having no logical mechanism of acti ...

. In performing this piece, the practitioner squats in a low horse stance, places the hands on thighs with the elbows facing out and twists to glance backwards on each side. ;Two Hands Hold the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys and Waist: This involves a stretch upwards followed by a forward bend and a holding of the toes. ;Clench the Fists and Glare Fiercely (or Angrily): This resembles the second piece, and is largely a punching movement either to the sides or forward while in horse stance. This, which is the most external of the pieces, is aimed at increasing general vitality and muscular strength. ;Bouncing on the Toes: This is a push upward from the toes with a small rocking motion on landing. The gentle shaking vibrations of this piece is said to "smooth out" the qi after practice of the preceding seven pieces or, in some systems, this is more specifically to follow Sway the Head and Shake the Tail. Image:1-brokajxo.jpg, ''Two Hands Hold up the Heavens'' Image:2-brokajxo.jpg, ''Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk'' Image:IrelandKillarney2WIKI.jpg, ''Separate Heaven and Earth'' Panagiotis Kontaxakis.jpg, ''Clench Fists and Glare Fiercely''

References

External links

The effects of baduanjin qigong in the prevention of bone loss for middle-aged women.

Qigong as a psychosocial intervention for depressed elderly with chronic physical illnesses
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baduanjin Qigong Qigong Chinese words and phrases

History

The sections

Standing

See also

References

External links