The Eight Pieces of Brocade - · PDF fileThe Eight Pieces of Brocade ... Chong Li-quan. However they are often credited to Marshal Yue Fei 岳飛 (1103-1142) of The Song Dynasty

The Eight Pieces of Brocade

八段錦 Bā Duàn Jǐn


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"Seven disorders and hundreds of illnesses disappear and are left behind your back; hundreds of illnesses are caused because the body is weak. The feet up, achievement is hard to describe by pen. The head up and press down to reach

to the end of the toes. Hold the waist, and hold the chest, up and down movements. (It is) effective in getting rid of sickness and eliminating disasters (illness)."

The secret words of the eighth exercise The origins of The Eight Pieces of Brocade - - Bā Duàn Jǐn 八段錦 may date back as far as the Han Dynasty (206BCE-220), and illustrations very similar to what we know as the eight pieces today appear in 'On caring for the Health of the Mind and Prolonging the Lifespan' written by Tao Hongjing 陶弘景 (456-536). The 8th century Taoist treatise The Ten Treatises on Restoring the Original Vitality - Xiu Zhen Shi Shu, attributes the development of The Eight Pieces of Brocade - Bā Duàn Jǐn 八段錦 to one of the legendary Eight Immortals of Chinese folklore, Chong Li-quan. However they are often credited to Marshal Yue Fei 岳飛 (1103-1142) of The Song Dynasty (960-1280), the creator of Eagle-Claw Boxing and Xíng Yì Quán 河北形意拳. He used Bodhidharma's 菩提達摩 (482-539) Muscle Tendon Changing Classic - Yìjīn Jīng 易筋經 exercises as a base to create twelve exercises to improve the health of his soldiers. These were known as The Twelve Pieces of Brocade - Shí'èr Jiàn Duàn Jǐn 十二件段錦. Through the years they were simplified into eight exercises, to become The Eight Pieces of Brocade - Bā Duàn Jǐn 八段錦. Many variations have come to exist, including sitting versions. The standing version is as taught by Wukong Monk, a Buddhist Monk of the Jiming Temple in Nanjing in 1982.


The Eight Pieces of Brocade Newly Published Health & Fitness Illustrations Bā Duàn Jǐn 八段錦 - Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

Hold the hands high with the palms upward to regulate the internal organs,

and pose as an archer shooting both left & right. Hold one arm aloft to regulate the functions of the spleen and stomach,

and look backwards to prevent sickness and strain. Twist the head and lower back to relieve stress,

and move the hands down the back and legs and touch the feet to strengthen the kidneys. Thrust the fists and make the eyes glare to enhance strength,

and raise and lower the heels to cure various diseases.


The Characteristics of the Eight Pieces Vital components of the Eight Pieces are:

• In body: Use strength when needed; remain relaxed at all other times.

• In mind: Use a focused mind to guide a natural breath.

• In spirit: Maintain a peaceful mind and a calm mood.

Successful Practice

For successful practice of the Eight Pieces:

• The movements should be relaxed and gentle.

• Pay attention to stances and posture.

• Move as naturally as possible

• Make the movements flow.

• Keep the breath relaxed, steady and even.

• Let go of the monkey mind.

• Practice all the exercises, in order, for the maximum benefits.

• Practice regularly for the maximum benefits.

Contraindications

The Eight Pieces should not be practiced if any of the following apply:

• Balance and physical ability should be taken into account in all the exercises.

• Due consideration should be given to muscle strength.

• Due consideration should be given to joint, bone issues.


Functions & Effects The overall effect of practicing The Eight Pieces of Brocade is to:

• Improve joint flexibility.

• Improve spine flexibility.

• Increase range of motion.

• Soothe the sinews.

• Improve breathing.

• Improve limb strength.

• Improve mental health.

• Improve Qi 氣 circulation.

• Improve blood circulation.

• Improve cerebrospinal fluid movement.

• Regulate the nervous system.

• Boost immune system.

• Improve balance.

• Develop coordination.

• Relieve fatigue.

• Prolongs life.

• Good for:

o Osteoporosis.

o Arteriosclerosis.

o Digestion.


Important Points


Breathing Abdominal Reverse


Stances Wújí 無極 Horse Stance Bow Stance Sitting


Hands Fist Yang fingers


Meditation Characteristics of meditation

• Maintain correct posture.

• Focus on the Lower Dan Tián - Xià Dantián 下丹田.

• Say 'calm' as you inhale.

• Say 'relax' as you exhale.

• Relax the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, muscles.

• Relax the mind.

• Relax your desire. Phases

• Phase: n/a

• Direction: n/a

• Season: n/a

• Colour: n/a

• Yin Organ: All

• Yang Organ: All

• External Organ: All

• Associated Tissues: All Functions & Effects

• Rids the internal organs of tension.

• Rids the body of tension.

• Regulates organ function.

• Improves blood circulation.

• Improves Qi 氣 circulation.

• Relaxes and calms the mind.


Meditation


Two Hands Uphold the Heavens to Nurse the Triple Warmer

Characteristics of nursing the triple warmer

• Raise the heels only if balance allows it to be done safely. Phases

• Phase: n/a

• Direction: n/a

• Season: n/a

• Colour: White

• Yin Organ: Pericardium

• Yang Organ: Triple Warmer

• External Organ: n/a

• Associated Tissues: n/a Functions & Effects

• Regulates the functions of the Triple Warmer - Sānjiāo 三焦.

• Regulates fluid metabolism.

• Improves fluid metabolism.

• Stretches the limbs.

• Stretches the torso.

• Distributes blood throughout the torso.

• Improves breathing.

• Improves posture.

• Mobilizes the muscles.

• Mobilizes the organs.

• Eliminates tiredness.

• Sedates hot flashes.


Two Hands Uphold the Heavens to Nurse the Triple Warmer


Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk Characteristics of drawing the bow

• Ensure you connect both the Palace of Toil - Láo Gōng 勞宮 (PC8) points to the Chest Centre - Shān Zhōng 膻中 (REN17) when crossing the arms.

Phases

• Phase: Metal

• Direction: East

• Season: Fall

• Colour: White

• Yin Organ: Large intestine

• Yang Organ: Lung

• External Organ: Nose

• Associated Tissues: Skin & body hair Functions & Effects


• Improves Qi 氣 circulation.


• Improves breathing capacity.

• Increases resilience of the lungs.

• Increases thoracic capacity.

• Exercises the:

o Hands.

o Arms.

o Muscles of the thoracic region.

o Shoulder muscles.

• Good for digestion.


Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk


Harmonizing Spleen & Stomach Characteristics of harmonizing the spleen & stomach

• Movement of the Lower Dan Tián - Xià Dantián 下丹田 is important.

• Watch the Palace of Toil - Láo Gōng 勞宮 (PC8) when stretching upward. Phases

• Phase: Earth

• Direction: Center

• Season: Indian summer

• Colour: Yellow

• Yin Organ: Spleen

• Yang Organ: Stomach

• External Organ: Mouth

• Associated Tissues: Flesh, fascia & muscles Functions & Effects

• Massages the internal organs.

• Stimulates the internal organs.

• Harmonizes the digestive system.

• Adjusts the digestive system.

• Improves peristaltic action of the intestines.

• Stimulates digestive process.

• Good for:

o Intestinal diseases.

o Stomach diseases.

o Duodenal ulcers.

o Stomach ulcers.

o Stomach inflammation.


Harmonizing Spleen & Stomach


Look Backward to Amend the 5 Impairments Characteristics of looking backward

• Connect the Hall of Impression - Yin Táng 印堂 (EX-HN3) with the Supreme Stream - Taixi 太谿 (K3).

Phases

• Phase: n/a

• Direction: n/a

• Season: n/a

• Colour: n/a

• Yin Organ: n/a

• Yang Organ: n/a

• External Organ: n/a

• Associated Tissues: n/a Functions & Effects

• Strengthens the eye muscles.

• Improves eyeball range of motion.

• Alleviates weariness in the brain and central nervous system.

• Tones neck and chest muscles.

• Develops & strengthens the lung meridian.

• Good for:

o Blood circulation.

o Degeneration of sexual ability.

o Constipation.

o Depletion of Qi 氣.

o Lack of seminal fluid.

o Thin seminal fluid.


Look Backward to Amend the 5 Impairments


Head Shaking & Tail Swaying to Rid Heart Fire Characteristics of head shaking & tail swaying

• Ensure the hands are positioned correctly to block the downward movement of heart fire. Phases

• Phase: Fire

• Direction: South

• Season: Summer

• Colour: Red

• Yin Organ: Heart

• Yang Organ: Small intestine

• External Organ: Tongue

• Associated Tissues: Blood & blood vessels Functions & Effects

• Purges heart fire.

• Enhances organ function.

• Stimulates digestion.

• Stimulates the nervous system.


• Reduces waistline.

• Good for:

o Restlessness.

o Insomnia.

o Mental uneasiness.

o Thirst.

o Rapid pulse.

o Colds.


Head Shaking & Tail Swaying to Rid Heart Fire


Pull the Toes to Strengthen Kidneys & Waist Characteristics of pulling the toes

• Breathing should be as slow as possible. Phases

• Phase: Water

• Direction: North

• Season: Winter

• Colour: Blue / black

• Yin Organ: Kidney

• Yang Organ: Urinary bladder

• External Organ: Ears

• Associated Tissues: Bones, bone marrow & head hair Functions & Effects

• Cultivates Qi 氣.

• Eliminates toxins.

• Increases elasticity of the waist.

• Exercises:

o Waist muscles.

o Lumbar vertebrae.

o Central nervous system.

• Beneficial to the:

o Kidney.

o Adrenal glands.

o Urethra.

o Abdominal aorta.

o Abdominal vein.


Pull the Toes to Strengthen Kidneys & Waist

Contraindication: Those with blood pressure issues should not bend too far.


Punching with Angry Eyes Characteristics of punching

• Use glaring eyes.

• Tense on the inhale, relax on the exhale.

• Visualize releasing anger, jealousy, frustration & rage with each punch. Phases

• Phase: Wood

• Direction: West

• Season: Spring

• Colour: Green

• Yin Organ: Liver

• Yang Organ: Gall bladder

• External Organ: Eyes

• Associated Tissues: Sinews, nerves, tendons & ligaments Functions & Effects

• Cultivates Qi 氣.

• Balances liver Qi 氣.

• Stimulates the cerebral cortex and autonomic nervous systems.

• Strengthens the metabolism.

• Promotes organ health.

• Promotes strength & endurance.

• Good for:

o Anger.

o Depression.

o Hypertension.

o PTSD.


Punching with Angry Eyes


Seven Jolts to Prevent All the Ailments Characteristics of the Seven Jolts

• Visualize releasing the seven toxic emotions, one with each jolt.

• Allow each jolt to end before starting the next.

• Only ever 7 repetitions.

Phases

• Phase: n/a

• Direction: n/a

• Season: n/a

• Colour: n/a

• Yin Organ: All

• Yang Organ: All

• External Organ: All

• Associated Tissues: All Functions & Effects

• Dredges the channels.

• Releases stagnant Qi 氣.

• Releases toxic Qi 氣.

• Releases blocked Qi 氣.


• Rectifies unhealthy build.

• Strengthens memory.

• Aids relaxation.

• Releases toxic emotions.


Seven Jolts to Prevent All the Ailments

Contraindication: Due consideration should be given to joint and bone issues.



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The Eight Pieces of Brocade - · PDF fileThe Eight Pieces of Brocade ... Chong Li-quan. However they are often credited to Marshal Yue Fei 岳飛 (1103-1142) of The Song Dynasty