Ba Duan Jin Baduanjin 8 Pieces of Brocade Videos

八段錦 Ba Duan Jin (Baduanjin)

Ba Duan Jin - Baduanjin Qigong Manuscript — Qing Dynasty printing of the Weisheng Jieyao qigong manuscript from the 17th-18th century. Shows a seated posture of Ba Duan Jin.

Ba Duan Jin is an easy set of moving Qigong (life energy cultivation) exercises for beginners. Baduanjin means eight pieces of brocade or eight strands of brocade. This ancient Chinese set of exercises consists of eight simple stretches that may be practiced by those of all ages. When practiced regularly baduanjin is said to invigorate all the internal organs and systems of the body. It helps stretch and open the meridians to allow Qi or Chi (life energy) to more easily flow throughout the entire body.

Each stretch is synchronized with your breath. Breathe out while extending the stretch and breathe in while releasing the stretch. Start with your normal breathing and over time work up to deeper abdominal breathing. I typically take about three seconds for each breath in and out. Each stretch is repeated eight times. At this rate completing the whole set only takes about eight minutes.

I recorded a video while practicing the full set of eight Baduanjin stretches outside set to relaxing meditative music. I also broke the full set up into eight separate videos of each individual move for easier learning. The videos below include the full set as well as each of the individual moves.

There are many different versions of Ba Duan Jin being practiced all over the world. This version of Ba Duan Jin is based on the version described in the book The Way of Energy by Master Lam Kam Chuen.