BA-Duan-Jin: "EIGHT PIECES OF BROCADE"

Shaolin Ba-duan-jin, qi-gong of the "Eight Pieces of Brocade" is one of the oldest exercises practiced by Shaolin monks. Was created at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty eminent monaco-Shan Qiu-Ling, who lived until the age of 109 years. The venerable developed the sequence starting from Luohan-shi-pa-ago when, "The eighteen hand techniques of the disciples of Buddha", taught by Bodhidharma, because it could be a complete therapy.

The definition of "Eight Pieces of Brocade" was created to indicate a technique consisting of eight different exercises, like the precious silk brocade, the most precious fabric was known. Was mentioned for the first time in several texts dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), including some included in the "Taoist canon." At the end of that dynasty, the Ba-duan-jin was already so widespread, that a work of the mid-twelfth century, it included an entire chapter on its own "Ba-duan-jin".

The characteristics of the Ba-duan-jin are the simplicity of the positions and movements, in addition to the naturalness of the breath. It is a very useful practice to strengthen the body, which also has excellent preventive and therapeutic effects. It is suitable for extending the meridians and unlock all the tracks of Qi in the body. It balances the energy in the internal organs and eliminates any type of emotional or nervous tension. Can be practiced in different ways, depending on the purpose it is intended, martial or therapeutic, or depending on the type of practitioner (child, elderly, healthy or sick). The exercises that comprise it can be executed one at a time or all together, one after the other separately, or combined into a single sequence.

There is also the exercise of the "Eight Pieces of Brocade seated," an interesting variation of traditional Shaolin Ba duan-jin-run stand. It is particularly suitable for people who are ill or weak, the elderly or those recovering. This exercise does not require physical exertion, but in return gives a new charge of positive energy can give a decisive turn, oriented to the recovery, even in severe disease states.

In China, like most modern hospital in institutes around the world, this series of exercises has been in clinical use to support and elevate the level of metabolic end-stage patients or patients with onco-equivalent. It is an excellent means of prevention for many degenerative illnesses. Although it is a technique used in a therapeutic context, it is still popularly considered to be unknown in the West, compared to the variant practiced standing. Precisely for this reason it is best to learn and practice all kinds of Shaolin Qi-Gong, including the Ba-duan-jin standing, and the Ba-duan-jin sitting, under the expert guidance of a competent teacher in Shaolin Qi-gong .

.

阿弥陀佛

Be Sociable, Share!

•