Silk Exercises Class – 2023.06.21

The Silk Exercises

The term “Silk Exercises” is translated from Ba Duan Jin and literally means “the Eight Section Brocade”. Over the millennia, the original exercises have developed with the Internal focus changing as Masters explored their potential. This has led to a number of variations of the Ba Duan Jin being taught.

In these classes we will be working with the Ba Duan Jin and the Ten Fundamental Treasures. We will also be looking at how the exercises have developed by introducing the four sets of the Silk Exercises, each of which is made up of eight movements that share the same name. The complexity of the Internal movements increases as you progress through the sets. The first three sets are performed in a standing posture and the last is performed seated.

The Ba Duan Jin

• Lifting the Sky: Appreciation of the Three Burning Spaces.
• Pull the Bow to Shoot the Eagle: Focus and awareness.
• Holding up a Single Hand: Harmonizing Stomach and Spleen.
• The Wise Owl Looks Backward: Correct focus on the meridians involved.
• Sway the Head and Shake the Tail: Awareness of the effects on the Kua.
• Hold the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys: Using Mingmen and the Kidney Shu Points.
• Punching with Intent: Making use of the Mu Points.
• Raise the Heels: Time taken to appreciate the results of this Qigong.