This 800-year old exercise, which the ancients likened to a beautiful brocade, consists of eight sections, is very popular among the Chinese people. Each section can be practiced on its own and each targets a specific organ or health need. The whole set of movements are fine and delicate with moderate intensity. It is like yoga, but is performed in a standing position and does not require much space or a yoga mat. The 8 brocades are also known as the silk brocades because of the very slow and flowing movements. I have been practicing the 8 brocades regularly for several years, and have found it to be one of my great pillars that keep me physically, mentally and emotionally in balance.

If you are leading a stressful life, which most people are, then I encourage you to try the 8 brocades. I have split the practice up into 8 parts, with each part focusing on one brocade. By the end you will have learned all 8 movements, and can easily practice it every day. The whole 8 parts takes just over 20 minutes, and you can do it almost anywhere. If you have tried yoga but found it too difficult to continue, then the 8 brocades might be for you. The movements are so simple, and so gentle that almost anyone can do this. Even though Qi Gong is one of the most gentle forms, it is a powerful healer and balancer.

If you have any issues with the dtube link you can watch this second part of the 8 Brocades below

This is the chi gong practice of the 8 brocades or Baduan Jin.
We start in a standing meditation, left hand over right for women on the dantien, men reversed right hand over left. Centring breathing quieting

Transcription Of Video

The second practice we'll do is for the stomach and spleen.
The left hand exhales down and the right hand presses apart. The two palms are opposing directions.
Then you inhale and change your arms out, so now your right hand presses down and your left hand presses up.

On an in breath the arms exchange and on the out breath the two hands press apart as though you are pressing two objects that are quite heavy apart from each other.

Inhalation, exchange the arms, and again exhale about the level of the ribs and level of the ears,
two hands press apart. Continue and repeat the arms alternate and exchange, exhaling the arms press apart.

This is very good for the stomach and spleen, it tones the core, and it's called raising the hands to condition the stomach and spleen. The benefit of having a healthy spleen and stomach is that we tend to be more stable and in balance when these two organs are also in balance. When out of balance we may have a tendency to feel more anxious, ungrounded, needy, or veer towards over thinking, overanalysing. Having this balanced stomach and spleen work towards sustaining very balanced mind, nurturing, stable, body..

Finishing as you exhale with the right hand pressing down, the left hand pressing up. And then to release both hands come down and we'll finish with a clearing. Hands gently fold in front of the body, letting go and releasing. Clearing some space for the next practice.

That concludes the second part of the 8 brocades. We will finish with a standing meditation. Take a moment to breath into your dantien. When you are ready you can finish.

Credits:
With deep gratitude to Grand Master Chen Yong Fa (陳永發) for his teachings and dedication to Qi Gong.
With great thanks to Mimi Kuo-Deemer for her inspiration for this video and her kind permission to use her words.