The Eight Silk Brocades of Qi Gong: Some Observations

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1. THE EIGHT SILK BROCADES OF QI GONG:
SOME OBSERVATIONS.
Prepared by: Nelson Berríos Villagra, Qi Gong Instructor at the Institute of Medical
Qi Gong of Canada, Civil Engineer, and Risk Prevention Expert.
Mail: [email protected]
Blog: http://girodeconciencia.blogspot.com/
Qi Gong Article: https://es.slideshare.net/Foxtrot224/qi-gong-un-camino-a-la-
salud-integral

2. Writing about this method of Qi Gong is a pleasure for me, because Ba Duan Jin is a series of 8
exercises intelligently designed to achieve and maintain sustainable Integral Health. The Chinese
term "Ba" means “eight”. "Duan" could be translated as part or piece. And "Jin" refers to a
brocade, something valuable or bright. Therefore, Ba Duan Jin can be translated as "8 silk
brocades" (silk was one of the most valuable items at that time) or it is also known as the 8
jewels or treasures.
Why is this Ba Duan Jin series so valuable?
Well, let's go back to the archaeological discovery of the year 1973 in China—the discovery of
three tombs almost 20 meters deep known as Mawangdui in Hunan province. These tombs
contained many treasures and the mysterious mummy of Lady Dai, but the third tomb contained
a Silk Canvas about 150 by 50 cm with 44 painted human figures practicing Daoyin (an ancient
term for current Qi Gong) along with their medical explanations on additional scrolls, showing
that Qi Gong as an internal path of connection and Integral Health is over 2000 years old.
These colorful figures represent people of different ages, social conditions, men and women
performing specific health exercises that were already popular at that time during the Han
dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). What a wonder it is that there are archaeological evidences that
demonstrate the antiquity of this art/discipline, and after 2000 years, we are still benefiting from
that millenary wisdom of Integral Health!
From those ancient times of old China, Qi Gong was known and practiced daily. Over time,
some prominent individuals (usually Chinese doctors or those related to medicine) were creating
new Qi Gong series to adapt them to their historical times and living conditions.
One of them, Yue Fei (1103 to 1142), who eventually became a General of the Army in the
Northern Song dynasty, is attributed with creating this Qi Gong system called Ba Duan Jin or
The Eight Silk Brocades.
Undoubtedly, this method has its roots in the Daoyin (current Qi Gong) movements of
Mawangdui, as many Qi Gong methods created later do. This Silk Canvas, with its 44 figures,
contains some figures similar to the image of some movements of the Ba Duan Jin series.

3. Observe the Archer figure in the first row (Movement No. 2 of Ba Duan Jin) or the Hands
Holding the Feet in the third row (Movement No. 6 of Ba Duan Jin), among others.
Other authors indicate that these are movements based on the method of the 18 Lohan Palms of
Qi Gong or the classic Yi Jin Jing attributed to Master Bodhidarma (6 centuries before Yue Fei).
But the truth is that regardless of who its creator or compiler was, some of these Qi Gong
movements were already known and practiced before our era, and their formalization with the
name Ba Duan Jin in texts of the time first appears in the Song dynasty (960 to 1279 AD).
The genius of the Ba Duan Jin method is that it combines internal knowledge of Buddhism and
Taoism, and with only 8 movements, this series can offer us an unparalleled set of tools to
maintain a healthy, strong, and energetic Body/Mind.
These 8 movements have currently been scientifically studied from various medical perspectives,
proving their extraordinary effectiveness (studies conducted by the Qi Gong Research Institute of
Shanghai, the FTN, the FEMTCI, and other scientific organizations).
However, nothing is magical! Although our Western mindset would love it to be so—that it
could be bought, put on, or taken quickly and transform life immediately... Instant health!
Fortunately, it's not like that. Ba Duan Jin is a tool, yes... a powerful tool for the disciplined
practitioner to achieve improved Integral Health. Therefore, it undoubtedly requires that the
practitioner recognize themselves as a co-responsible for their own Health and consequently
learn, deepen, and practice these 8 Movements (or some of them) daily for at least 30 minutes to
counteract so many hours of the day spent tense in postures harmful to health, with a sedentary
attitude, unhealthy habits, or performing inappropriate repetitive movements that damage our
Body/Mind.

4. That's right... daily practice is fundamental, and in this case, in my opinion, five key elements
must be added that give meaning to the practice of Qi Gong: understanding the Principles of Qi
Gong, the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the correct medical form of executing
each Movement of the series, having a good Instructor guide, and feeling the desire for the
spiritual connection dimension.
Currently, Ba Duan Jin is the most well-known and practiced Qi Gong method worldwide. In
fact, in 2002, the Chinese State Association of Qi Gong for Health (CHQA) officially
modernized the Ba Duan Jin version.
While there are some slightly different versions of this method (official and unofficial), the
important thing, as always, is that beyond the posture details, its practice, like all Qi Gong styles,
aligns with the five elements already mentioned. The fifth element is the most essential for living
the essence of Qi Gong.

5. The movements of Ba Duan Jin, as well as all other Qi Gong series, are linked to Traditional
Chinese Medicine and therefore to the Cosmology of Yin Yang, the Energy Meridians, the 5
States of Energy, the 8 Transformations, the Circulation of Qi or Energy, the Breathing
Techniques, the Acupuncture Points, the Three Cauldrons, the Relationship of Organs and
Viscera, and with all the remaining ancestral wisdom of Chinese medicine.
In addition, they must follow the Principle of “The Three Regulations” (san tiao): Regulation
of the Body (tiao shén), Regulation of Breathing (tiao xi), and Regulation of Mental Attention
(tiao xin), which is the basis of any Qi Gong system. And the Principles of rooting to the earth of
Vital Energy and its capture through the Bau Hui, Yong Quan, and Ming Men points,
basically.
Additionally, the Mind can focus on some key points of some Meridians where Energy circulates
and/or areas of the Body/Mind in each of the 8 Movements. The practice of Ba Duan Jin, like all
other series, should be done relaxingly with slow and continuous movements to avoid injury and
achieve the physical and neural benefits already explained by science and disseminated by
current neuroscientific studies.
The practitioner, by the basic Principle of Qi Gong, must be in a state of harmonious and serene
calm... in a state of Inner Happiness... introspection, gratitude, and conscious alertness.
Otherwise, it will be an effective, aesthetic, and beneficial gym to warm up or keep the body in
good shape, but unfortunately, it will not fully unfold its powerful essence.
The classic names of the 8 Movements of the series could be translated or interpreted as follows:
1.Holding the Sky with Both Hands
2.Tensing the Bow and Shooting the Hawk
3.Separating Heaven and Earth
4.Looking Back to Prevent the 5 Fatigues and the 7 Injuries
5.Moving the Head and Shaking the Base of the Column
6.Holding the Feet with Both Hands
7.Clenching the Fists
8.Raising and Lowering the Heels

6. Some names are very curious and vary slightly depending on the author, but there is a symbolic
and profound background in each term that is discovered as each movement is experienced.
In this article, obviously, we cannot go into the details of the execution of each Movement, its
specific medical and energetic benefits for Integral Health, or the points where the Mind should
be focused when executing them.
However, in a basic, visible, and structural way, we could point out that Movements 1 to 6 focus
on dynamically stretching the superficial myofascial chains in different directions so that the Qi
or Vital Energy flows with the least possible obstacle.
Thus, for example, in a general and schematic form (without going into depths), we could
indicate that:
Movement No. 1 stretches the anterior and posterior
myofascial chains vertically.
Movement No. 2 stretches the anterior and posterior
myofascial chains of the trunk and arms horizontally.
Movement No. 3 stretches the oblique myofascial chains
(lateral and spiral).
Movement No. 4 generates the twisting of the trunk and therefore stretches the spiral
myofascial chains.
Movement No. 5 promotes the mobility of the spine and the stretching of the lateral and
spiral myofascial chains.
Movement No. 6 produces the stretching of the posterior myofascial chain.
Movement No. 7 focuses on distributing energy and strength to the extremities.
Movement No. 8 closes the cycle of the series by lowering the residual energy, shaking
the back, and returning to inner harmony and peace.
In fact, Movement No. 8 requires greater attention and should not be done carelessly or abruptly.
It also requires the previous movements to be executed in order to be in a state of relaxation and
thus finish the series correctly. That's why I believe that the order of execution of the movements
is important and requires performing them with focused attention.
It is recommended to perform them outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces, without haste, wearing
loose clothing, and with a positive attitude. Each movement of the series can be repeated several
times (I suggest repeating them at least 8 times), but the more correct repetitions, the better.
Finally, let's look at some contributions and general benefits of daily practice.
Work with the Posterior, Anterior, Lateral, Spiral, and Arm Myofascial Chains,
generating elasticity and strength.

7. Intense work with the tendon-muscle system.
Expands the lung respiratory range.
Stimulates blood circulation.
Greatly improves the musculoskeletal system, body joints, and balance.
Activates the cardiovascular system and enhances the autoimmune system.
Provides intervertebral stretching and spinal mobility.
Contributes to the emotional and mental health of the practitioner.
Promotes the proper functioning of the following organs: lungs, heart, liver,
gallbladder, stomach, kidneys, intestines, and spleen.
Reduces stress accumulation, improves brain activity, and provides more vital
energy to the Body/Mind.
This series, like others in Qi Gong, can be performed sitting or standing, with the latter being the
most common. Anyone can perform it, respecting their level of mobility.
There are versions of Ba Duan Jin more focused on the medical aspects of Chinese medicine that
are suitable for anyone, and other versions require greater physical skill and aim to prepare the
Body/Mind for martial arts practice.
This article is mainly focused on the medical versions of Ba Duan Jin, in order to help the
majority of people, regardless of their physical health conditions, to improve and/or maintain
their Integral Health over time.
Fortunately, and despite the hectic lifestyle we have created, we are becoming increasingly
aware of the essential importance of Integral Health, and some people have expanded their vision
and are prioritizing it.
Integral Health is, without a doubt, an invaluable treasure that must be learned to care for,
maintain, multiply, and share.