The Eight Pieces of Brocade - Ba Duan Jin Qigong

Book excerpt: This is a fresh take on one of the most popular Chinese Qigong routines-The Eight Pieces of Brocade. The Eight Pieces of Brocade or Ba Duan Jin in Chinese, has been popular for centuries. Its popularity spawning many variants, with typical explanations of the routine concentrating on its physical aspects. Those physical aspects are important, but they are only part of the story. The real message of the routine lies in its engagement of the body's bio-energy system. The body's bio-energy or qi and its cultivation via the acupuncture points and meridians are literally "where it's at" for internal qigong practitioners. The body's energetic transport system plays a vital role in all true Chinese internal arts, yet this topic is rarely addressed in contemporary literature. The hands and the body posture form specific energetic connections at important acupuncture points. Awareness of this single aspect can dramatically impact the results achieved by qigong practice. This text opens the door to a better understanding of the art of qigong. (Second Edition)