Silk Exercises Qigong Class – 2023.07.19

Silk Exercises Qigong Class

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.

• Hands Holding up the Sky: Awareness of the effect of pushing upwards as the hands are raised.
• Archery: Using the breath. Awareness of the stretch (Lu1, Lu2 & LI15 area).
• Single Arm Lift: Focus on correct hand posture and where your attention is drawn to.
• Looking Backward: Awareness drawn to both Stomach and Gallbladder meridian. There is a noticeable stretch on the front and back of the neck.
• Head Shaking and Buttock Swaying: The turn of the body starts prior to the weight shift. A marked swaying motion of the buttocks.
• Holding the Toes: Awareness of where the stretch is most prominent.
• Fist Play with Glaring Eyes: Using the eyes – “glaring”. Awareness of what is happening in the neck (St & GB).
• Heel Lifting: Correct structure, piston-like movement.
• The full set.