Silk Exercises Qigong Class – 2023.07.12

Silk Exercises Qigong

The term “Silk Exercises Qigong” 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 Qigong, 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.

In this Silk Exercises Qigong class – Set 1

The full set – focus on physical alignment

• Hands Holding up the Sky: The release of tension after the stretch, head held high, changes in the sensations in the neck & head.
• Archery: Even at this physical level the awareness comes to the Lu1, Lu2 & LI15 area. But also to between the shoulder blades.
• Single Arm Lift: Physical stimulation along the inside of the arms and the palms.
• Looking Backward: There is a noticeable conflict between the front and rear of the neck.
• Head Shaking and Buttock Swaying: Opening the hips by rotation on a central axis. There is pushing here, not making full use of the Kua.
• Holding the Toes: A basic stretch that eventually started to bring about an awareness of movement in the legs (Bladder meridian).
• Fist Play with Glaring Eyes: Note the resting position of the hands. Awareness of what is happening in the neck (St & GB).
• Heel Lifting: What the instruction of “Legs together” brings to the exercise.