Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade)

Ba Duan Jin has been an exercise regime utilized by martial artists for centuries. This set of forms cultivates the breath, stretches out the body, elasticizes the ligaments and circulates your energy. It is a wonderful morning exercise that will wake you up, invigorate you and start your qi flowing. We also use this set as an overall warm set for taiji and taijiquan classes.

1- Pressing the heavens - balances the triple warmer, good upper body stretch

2 - Draw the bow - opens the chest, stimulates the lungs and activates the dorsal gate and jia ji point

                                   

3 - Separating heaven and earth - awakens spiral energy, promotes the connection to earth & heaven, regulates the spleen and liver

4 - Wise owl gazes backwards - stretches the neck, works the eyes, alleviates fatigue, strengthens the legs if performed in wide horse stance

5 - Big bear turns from side to side - works the waist, stretches the legs, trunk and lower back, calms the nervous system

6 - Punching with angry gaze - increases qi flow & blood circulation

7 - Touching toes then bending backwards - good overall body stretch, works internal & external systems

8 - Rise up with intent - calf stretch and balances internal and external systems