The Eight Silk Brocades

The specific details of the Eight Silk Brocades (Ba Duan Jin) have been lost in history. Some scholars say that these were developed in the 12th century by Marshal Yueh Fei; others attribute them to Chong Li-quan, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese Folklore. The “8 strands of silk brocade” were developed in ancient China to increase the flow of Chi – life energy – throughout the meridians for the benefit of the whole system of the body, with a focus on specific organs. These eight movements said to make the body supple, yet strong – like silk. The Eight Brocades has its roots in the theories of Yin & Yang and the Eight Trigrams of the Ba Gua.

This set of Qi Gong exercises has the following objectives:

• Strengthens the muscles esp back, shoulders, neck and legs
• Tones the internal organs
• Boosts the immune system
• Purges the body of toxins and ‘bad’ (stagnant) Qi
• Stretches muscles, tendons and Qi Meridians

The exercises can be done as a stand alone set, or used as either a warming-up or cooling down routine. Each movement is related to both an internal organ and a Qi meridian, so when practicing the full set, optimum benefit is achieved when they are practiced in the correct order.

The sequence is:¹

• 00. Open with the Inner & Outer Orbit Breath
• 01. Two Hands Push the Sky
• 02. Separate Heaven & Earth
• 03. Holding the Energy Ball & Looking Behind You
• 04. Archer Draws Bow
• 05. Search the Horizon & the Clouds (Parts 1&2)
• 06. Scooping Clear Water from the Stream
• 07. Offering the Birds Egg
• 08. Revitalizing Qi
• 00. Close

Other names are: 8 Golden Treasures Brocade, 8 golden exercises, 8 pieces of Silk, 8 treasures, 8 pieces of silk brocade or 8 section silk brocade.