Silk Exercises Qigong Class – 2023.08.02

In this Silk Exercises class – Set 1

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 full set – exploring how physical alignment and the physicality of an exercise affects the awareness of Qi.

• Heel Lifting, in preparation for the second set.
• Hands Holding up the Sky, easing up slightly on the stretch.
• Archery. Using the hip crease and easing up slightly on the stretch.
• Single Arm Lift. Proper hand position, working with the original stretch the easing up and listening.
• Looking Backward. Choosing between St and Gb. Understanding the process of development.
• Head Shaking and Buttock Swaying. Realizing the limitations of this level of practice.
• Holding the Toes. Beginnings of awareness of Bladder meridian.

These recordings are of the Silk Exercises classes. These are Intermediate level classes and you will need to be familiar with the various stances used (Wuji stance and Horse Riding stance. Even so, we begin with the basic, physical, movements before working with the Internal. If you are unsure of the basics I recommend that you do the Qigong for Beginners course.