Basic Chi Gong Exercises?

“	Originally Posted By: Sleeping Wolf Pretty hard or just enough to keep the toungue stuck to the roof?	”

Only a bit. Plus, the feeling is having the tip of the tongue tingling and pressing the bony part behind the upper teeth, and the teeth, not to the upper part of the mouth. The difference is, it's stretched out, and has pressure. Don't know if you can reproduce the feeling since I have a severe overbite, so I touch the LOWER teeth instead of the upper.

__________________
"Fawning, but proud!" - (at least sometimes, in rare cases)
"Killing them all didn't make it any better..." - "Are you a freak or something ???" - Max Payne
"Theft is a crime, even in Iraq." - Me.

Ok thanks. I'll try both and see which one works for me.

Here's some useful info and a demo of Ba Duan Jin

Eight Section Brocade Qigong

Quotations



"This exercise consists of eight sections (forms), which the ancients thought as beautiful as brocade, hence its name.
To practice this exercise one must keep a tranquil mind, concentrate the mind on Dantian (elixir field), pose as if the
head is suspended, keep your mouth shut with the tongue-tip resting on the palate, keep the eyes looking straight
forward, relaxing the body as a whole, and breathing naturally. It's practiced in the morning and evening in fresh air
for 15-30 minutes each time. In addition, Baduanjin can be used as a warm up exercise."
- Baduanjin



"Wen Ba Duan is the essential basic set of exercises practiced by Shaolin Monks both prior to, and following their
daily long hours of training. The Shaolin Temple, famous as the birthplace of Chinese Martial Arts, was built in 495 AD,
and this set of exercises has been documented as having a history in excess of 800 years. The exercises known as
Eight Golden Treasures consist of two main parts: the standing forms (Wu Ba Duan) and the seated forms (Wen Ba
Duan). Wen Ba Duan emphasizes the internal nature of these exercises in that its principle aim is the cultivation of
qi without excessive physical movements of the external Wu Ba Duan. Wen Ba Duan combines the qi cultivation of
the mind (yi), deep breathing (tu na), gentle exercise (dao yin) and therapeutic self massage (an mo)."
- Tai Chi Australia


"These are mainly stretching exercises coming from the Shaolin Monastery which is well known for its martial arts.
They are the preliminary exercises of the martial arts, including eye exercises, massaging points, stretching, and
punching. Traditionally these are not classified as neigong exercise. The name "eight sections of silk," also translated
as "eight pieces of brocade," is a misnomer. The correct name is "pull and break tendons.""

- Joe Hing Kwok Chu, Eight Sections of Silk


"Chinese medical chi-gung emphasizes soft, slow, rhythmic movements of the body synchronized with deep diphragmatic
breathing. The purpose of these exercises is to stretch the tendons, loosen the joints, and tone the muscles, to promote
circulation of blood, and to regulate all the vital functions of the body. The medical school adapted many forms of
'moving meditation" exercise for therapeutic use, including the ancient dao-yin and 'Play of the Five Beasts' forms
based on animal movements, martial forms such as 'Eight Pieces of Brocade' and Tai Chi Chuan, and special
exercises developed specifically to treat various internal organs."
- Daniel Reid, A Complete Guide to Chi Kung, p. 52.


"China's health-preserving ways of long standing - the technique of Daoyin, meant to activate limbs and the trunk
through mind-directed exertion of inner force with simultaneous movements of body-bending and back-inclining,
and the extending with withdrawing of limbs; and the technique of Tuna consisting of deep breathing exercises of
the abdomen - are recorded in the writings of such fourth century B.C. authors as Lao Zi, Zhaung Zi, Meng Zi, and
Qu Yuan."
- Chen Style Taijiquan, 1984, p. 4.


Many scholars attribute the development of the Eight Section Brocade to General (Marshall) Yeuh Fei in the
11th century AD. Others have a different opinion. Stuart Alve Olson, a scholar and Tai Chi Chuan master states:
"Pa Tuan Chin, the Eight Pieces of Brocade, is a very ancient form of Tao Yin (Taoist breathing exercises)
attributed to Chung Li-ch'uan (also known as Han Chung-li) of the Han Dynasty. Chung Li-ch'uan was the
teacher of Lu Tung-pin, one of the Eight Immortals and founder of the Complete Reality Sect. The exercises
of Pa Tuan Chin have also been attributed to Chen Tuan, the teacher of the famous Taoist immortal,
Chang San-feng, who is credited with inventing T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Pa Tuan Chin has both seated and standing
exercises, in both hard and soft styles."
Cultivating the Ch'i, 1993, Stuart Alve Olson, p. 138.


Hua T'o (110-207 A.D.) is one of the famous physicians of the Han Dynasty. In The History
of the Later Han, Hua T'o wrote:
"Man's body must have exercise, but it should never be done to the point of exhaustion. By moving
about briskly, digestion is improved, the blood vessels are opened, and illnesses are prevented.
It is like a used doorstep which never rots. As far as Tao Yin (bending and stretching exercises) is
concerned, we have the bear's neck, the crane's twist, and swaying the waist and moving the
joints to promote long life. Now I have created the art called the Frolics of the Five Animals:
the Tiger, the Deer, the Bear, the Monkey, and the Crane. It eliminates sickness, benefits the legs,
and is also a form of Tao Yin. If you feel out of sorts, just practice one of my Frolics. A gentle sweat
will exude, the complexion will become rosy; the body will feel light and you will want to eat."
- From: Drawing Silk: A Training Manual for T'ai Chi. Page 6.


"Down through the ages, the exercises as practiced at Shaolin Temple have developed into the largest wushu
school with hundreds of routines in different styles, from which many other schools have been derived. Of these
mention may be made of Long boxing, "cannon and hammer" boxing, "six-in-one" boxing, baduanjin ("brocade"
exercises in eight forms) which is said to have been revised by General Yue Fei (1103-1142) on the arhats'
routine in 18 forms, the "stepping exercises" and "heart-and-will" school derived respectively from the dragon's
and tiger's sections in Monk Bai Yufeng's routine imitating the five animals' movements, and the long-range
boxing in 36 forms compiled by the First Emperor of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The routines can be
practiced solo, duet or trio, and bare hand or with ancient weapons, particularly the cudgel which has earned
great reputation for Shaolin Temple."
- China Sports Publications, Shaolin Temple Wushu


"Ba Duan Jin means literally "Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade." These eight exercises are elegant, graceful,
and essential methods of qi cultivation. They were first described in an eight-century Daoist text,
Xiu Zhen Shi Shu ("The Ten Treatises on Restoring the original Vitality"), in the Daoist Canon. Daoist tradition
attributes the exercises to one of the Eight Immortals of Chinese folklore, Chong Li-quan. Chong is
frequently represented in Chinese art as a bald-headed, potbellied figure, with a white beard reaching
to his navel. Chong had been a general during the Han Dynasty. When his army was defeated in a
battle against the Tibetans, Chong withdrew into the mountains rather than face the Emperor's wrath.
There he met a Daoist who transmitted to him dao-yin (qigong) "recipes" to create an inner elixir of
long life. The Eight Brocades was one of these methods. Before he died, Chong inscribed the exercises
on the walls of a cave. When another general, Lu Dong-bin, discovered the cave several centuries
later, he followed the diagrams and also became a sage-Immortal. According to a statement in
the Ten Treatises, it was General Lu himself who first described the exercise on stone.
- Kenneth S. Cohen, The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing. 1997, p. 186.




"Ba Duan Jin first appears in writing in an eighth century Taoist text, Ten Treatises on Restoring Original Vitality.
It is also explained in an ancient Chinese text call the Dao Shu, compiled during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-
1279 AD). This version is derived from still another Chinese military hero, Marshal Yeuh Fei (1103-1142 AD). He
recorded each of the movements in the form of a poem that explained its execution and purpose, and taught them
to his soldiers to improve their health, stamina and martial art skills."
- Stanley D. Wilson, Qi Gong for Beginners, 1997, p. 19


"The Eight Strands of Silk Brocade are indeed a fine suit of clothes. It has been said that Baduanjin is the most
popular qigong exercise set in the world. It is plain to see why. By practicing the whole set of eight exercises in
a similar manner to Taijiquan one can expect to see significant changes in health and vitality within six months,
more subtle changes within a year and greater changes within five years."
- Shihfu Mike Symonds, Ba Duan Jin



"In the past, people practiced the Tao, the Way of Life. They understood the principle of balance, of yin and yang,
as represented by the transformation of the energies of the universe. Thus, they formulated practices such as
Dao-yin [qigong], an exercise combining stretching, massaging, and breathing to promote energy flow, and
meditation to help maintain and harmonize themselves with the universe."
- Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, Huang Ti Nei Jing, 800 BCE



"Later, during what is known by historians as the Warring States Period, 480-222 BC, we find the emergence of
what are called Tao Yin (daoyin) disciplines, again special exercises for health that may, in part at least, have
been derived from the much earlier era of the Yellow Emperor. Tao Yin means 'guiding and inducing' - guiding
and inducing the flow of chi around the body. At the same time, special breathing techniques combined with
meditation were also being introduced by the Taoist philosophers. These techniques, they claimed, were effective
not only in the treatment of certain illnesses but also in the prevention of disease. It is important to understand that
in those times a philosopher was also someone who meditated and probably also practiced medicine. All these
subjects were linked, making up what we would today term an 'holistic' approach."
- History of Chi Kung



"The Eight Strands of Silk Brocade are an extremely fine set of eight Qigong exercises. They are learned and
then practiced as one complete, unbroken form; each movement of each of the eight exercises being repeated
eight times before doing the next exercise in sequence. Like most of the best things in life they are simple, easy
to learn, easy to perform and taking only 14 - 18 minutes to do every morning and night. This is the way to improve
health and well-being in a relaxed and easy manner. The only thing which stands in anyone's way is their own
laziness or lack of self-discipline."
- The Eight Strands of Silk Brocade


"The most recent evidence of the long history of these movements [Qigong exercises] comes from a silk book
unearthed in 1979, known as the Dao Ying Xing Qi Fa ("Method of Inducing the Free Flow of Chi"). The book
dates from the Western Han Dynasty, which ran from 204 BC to AD24, and bears 44 drawings of men and
women in exercise positions resembling the Ba Duan Jin."
- Master Lam Kam Chuen, The Way of Energy, 1991, p. 81.






“Baduanjin”, which literally translates as “eight pieces of silken brocade”, has always been a very popular exercise
in China. Its unusual name derives from the fact that the Chinese character for silken brocade – ‘jin’ – also has
the archaic meaning of that of a set of exercises composed of different movements. Hence the title “eight pieces
of silken brocade” can be interpreted more accurately as “an exercise composed of eight sets of movements”.
Baduanjin has a written history of over 800 years. During this period of time, many modifications and innovations
have been added to the original form. Although the variations are numerous, they can be broadly categorized
into themes related to the seated and to the standing postures, with the latter further sub-divided into the ‘Northern’
and the ‘Southern’ styles. "
- Howard Choy, Baduanjin



"Ba Duan Jing consists of eight different movements, each one of which is simple, short, and
effective. Since time or location does not restrict one's practice, it is quite popular, and consists
of two styles. The Wen or sedentary style adopts a sitting position with concentrated mind and
attention to one's breathing. This particular type incorporates knocking teeth, shaking head,
gargling throat, massaging the kidney area, swaying shoulder, pressing the scalp, stretching
the sole of the foot, etc. In contrast, the Wu or active style adopts a standing position emphasizing
body movement. These movements are called "Upholding the heaven and regulating Sanjiao,"
"Stretching the bow with both sides," "Regulating the spleen and stomach," "Looking backwards,"
"Swaying the head and tail," "Tapping at the back," "Holding fist and staring," "Stretching to
both soles," etc."
- Ming Qi Natural Healtcare Center



"The “Eight Brocades” are a static – dynamic Qigong technique widely diffused among the Chinese people. The
technique is extremely ancient, with at least a thousand year history. It has been highly studied and perfected
throughout the course of its history, to the point where it could represent a complete therapy. It is ideal for stretching
the meridians and unblocking the energy channels (qi) in the human organism. It balances the energy in all of the
internal organs and eliminates every type of nervous or emotional tension. It can be practiced in different ways,
according to the predetermined scope, martial or therapeutic, or according to the person practicing it (young, old,
healthy or sick). The exercises of which it is composed can be practiced individually or all together, one after the
other separately or in a continuous sequence."
- Gli Otto Broccati



"The Eight Section Brocade exercise has been in existence for more than eight hundred years. Because of its
effectiveness for keeping fit, it was accepted by Shaolin monks as one of the basic entering level exercises
for Shaolin Wushu. Unlike Shaolin hard kung fu and the rest of Shaolin style for combat, the Eight Section
Brocade is a form of soft qi gong. The Eight-Section Brocade is an ideal life time exercise for most people.
It is especially recommended for people who work at desks every day. Regular practice of this exercise
can strengthen one's internal organs as well as one's muscles and tendons."
- China Guide






"Badunjin Qigong originates from the Dao-Yin life-nourishing techniques of the ancient era. The medical
professionals, longevity-research experts, Qigong masters of all ages developed this set of traditional
body-strengthening exercise which was founded on the theory of Chinese medicine. The Dao-yin, Qigong,
martial arts, gymnastics, massage, breathing arts, life-emulation and ancient dance is amalgamated to
form into eight segments. The creation of these segments is based on the physiological condition and
pathological changes of the human body, and the emulation of the self-strengthening and self-healing
movements of flying birds, diving fishes, running animals and crawling species. The categorization of
these uniquely selected segments is based on the concept of Pak Qua. This has been profoundly developed
in the past through long-term practice and continual improvements and is rich in the ethnic characteristics
of the Chinese race."
- Wudang Mountain Badunjin Qigong, by Dragon Gate Master Woo Kwong Fat, Wudang Mountain.



"The eight brocade is one of the most widely practiced classic exercise sets in China, which
can be dated back over 1,000 years. Its long existence has resulted in its adoption by a diverse
collection of practitioners, which has lead to numerous variations. This set of excises is often
practiced with Qigong. The movements provide a comprehensive system of excise for people
of all ages, toning up muscles and stimulating the flow of qi throughout the body. People are
advised to perform it vigorously when in good health, to help build up the strength and suppleness.
But if you are in illness or in later years you should practice more gently. It is widely regarded as
the initial form set for any qigong or martial arts new practitioners. Every movement is designed
to regulate or strengthen organs or bowels."
- DaMo Qigong and Wudang KungFu


"Baduanjin which literally translates as the "eight pieces of silken brocade," has always been a very
popular exercise in China. Its unusual name derives from the fact that the Chinese character for silken
brocade also has the archaic meaning of that of a set of exercises composed of different movements.
Hence the title "eight pieces of silken brocade" can be interpreted more accurately as "an exercise
composed of eight sets of movements." Baduanjin has a written history of over 800 years. During this
period of time, many modifications and innovations have been added to the original form. Although the
variations are numerous, they can be broadly categorized into themes related to the seated and to the
standing postures, with the latter further sub-divided into the Northern and the Southern styles. The
Northern style claims its legendary founder to be Yue Fei, who was a famous general in the Sung
Dynasty (960-1279AD). It is considered to be more difficult to perform than the Southern style."
- Baduanjin


"These are the "Buddhidarma lohan 18 hands" ("lohan kung" for short), the "siu lohan", the "da lohan"
and the "wu chi". Together these four form a complete system of internal kung-fu to cover the whole
range of choy lee fut qigong skills. We have grouped these four forms under the generic name of
"lohan qigong", literally "the art of the breath of the enlightened ones". In its original form lohan qigong
is an internal set of exercises for cultivating the "three treasures" of qi (vital energy), jing (essence),
and shen (spirit). Done regularly it activates the flow of the intrinsic life energy along the meridians,
strengthens the internal organs, increases longevity through maintenance of health and vigor of body
and mind, exercises the joints and muscles, promotes relaxation and stress management, prevents
occupational physical stress diseases, promotes postural awareness and correct posture, and
provides the essence and base for many internal and external martial arts."
- Howard Choy, The Lohan Qigong System, 1999 The Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands system
is much more extensive than the Eight Section Brocade. Refer to the bibliography above
for more references. Notes on "Lohan."



"The Eight Verses of Wudang Mountain Badunjin :

1. Lift the ground and hold the sky to take care of the three internal cavities
2. Draw a bow to the left and right, just like shooting a vulture
3. Lift the hand up singly to tone and caress the spleen and the stomach
4. Look backwards to cure the five strains and seven injuries
5. Reach down the leg by both hands to strengthen the kidney and the reproductive organ
6. Swivel the head and rock the bottom to calm down
7. Rotate fists and stare to add stamina
8. Vibrate the back seven times to expel illness


The first segment takes care of the three chiaos (internal organs), the second segment strengthens the heart
and the lung, the third regulates the spleen and the stomach, the fourth cures strains and injuries, the fifth toughens
the kidney and reproductive organ, the sixth calms the nervous system, the seventh increases stamina, the eighth
gets rid of illnesses. It has materialized the merging of the theory and movements of Badunjin with clinical sports,
as well as specified the importance of life-nourishment and health-preservation. Badunjin Qigong, uplifted by the
modern medical confirmation from Chinese and western professionals and scholars, continues to be revitalized
and made to perfection. Thus it has been made even more suitable and practical to serve the needs of the
modern era, and advances with time.

The theory and movements of Wudang Badunjin is thorough; it is safe and easy to learn, and has a wide application
on medical cure. Externally, it exercises the skin, muscles, tendons and bones; internally, it strengthens the organs,
improves the circulatory system, and consolidates the spirit of well being. Its movements involve breathing naturally,
and are smart & light, continuous and lively, elegant and beautiful, stretchy and graceful, alternating relaxing with
tightening, synchronizing harmoniously, can be fast or slow but with distinct rhythm, can be complicated or simple,
active or quiet, and cohere the opening with the closing. It stresses on the mutual use of toughness and gentleness,
the training of the internal and external body parts, the merging of activity and quietness, the balancing of the left and
the right, the top and the bottom, alternating the real and the virtual, and nourishing both the body and the spirit. The
amount of exercise and the length of the practice session can be adjusted anytime, and it can be practised alongside
with other exercises. Age, sex, body nature, location, equipment, time, season, etc do not restrict the practice. It can
be practised individually, with the whole family, or with a group. The all-encompassing effect and value of its
body-strengthening and medical aspects is evergreen."

- Wudang Mountain Badunjin Qigong Original (in Chinese) written in Hong Kong by Woo Kwong Fat,
the 28th Generation Master of Dragon Gate Branch, Wudang Mountain. 20Kb.




Dr. Ken Andes, L.Ac, D.Ac. (RI) .a licensed acupuncturist, board certified herbalist, and medical qigong instructor,
says this about Baduanjin in the January 2006 issue of “Qi Dao” newsletter:
"It is non-strenuous and can be done by anyone of any age.
It will regulate your digestion and metabolism, thus helping with weight loss.
It takes less than 10 minutes a day to perform.
It is very easy to learn...no matter how uncoordinated you are.
It will stretch and tone all of your muscles, thus increasing your flexibility.
It will help relieve neck, back, and shoulder pain.
It will make your muscles (especially your legs) stronger.
It will stimulate your lymphatic system and help detoxify the body of environmental poisons.
It will develop a calm, focused mind.
It helps relieve depression and anxiety.
It requires no special equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime.
It will make you look and feel many years younger.
It will harmonize and stimulate all of your acupuncture meridians, giving you a similar effect of
an acupuncture treatment....without the needles!!"




“I saw you included the list of movements in Chinese in your webpage on Baduanjin. Very good!
It might be interesting to add that this is a Chinese (didactic) poem, made for easy remembering
the eight movements and their effect. This poem has the classical Chinese format with 8 lines of
7 characters each and rhyme in line 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8."
Thanks to Hielke Hylkema for sending me the above information and translation.



"Other theories suggest that the Eight Brocades are a collection of various Taoist breath exercises with
influences coming from the Buddhist patriarch Bodhidharma's works, the I chin ching and Hsi sui ching
(Muscles Changing Classic and Marrow Cleansing Classic); or, that the Sung dynasty military leader
General Yueh Fei invented the exercises. These two highly improbably founders serve more to validate
the practice of the Eight Brocades within the Buddhist and martial arts schools.
The development of the Eight Brocades is rather clouded. All the various schools have claimed it as
their own invention, and have inserted their own ideas. It has even been presented as twelve exercises,
or the Twelve Brocades (shih erh tuan chin). The exercises also appear in a more dissected manner
with many additions, under the heading Internal Kung for the Four Seasons (nei kung szu ling), as twenty
four exercises for specific periods of the year. In martial arts, the Eight Brocades have become a system
of not only standing postures but also sword and staff forms. They are now being presented as a form
of qigong, a term that did not appear until 1910 in a book entitled Shaolin Tsung fa (Shaolin Orthodox
Methods). The author used the term generically to cover a wide range of ideas, including respiratory and
meditative exercises directed at mobilizing the breath. Qigong is not in any sense a traditional Taoist
term, but has since been adapted to many Taoist works.
Since no clear evidence exists as to when the Eight Brocades were first developed, the answer as to
their origin really depends on which school or thought of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, medicine,
or martial art you wish to believe. Each school seems to have its own unique evidence and prejudice."
- Stuart Alve Olson, Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal, p. 26


"The name “Ba Duan Jin” has been found as early as the Northern Song Dynasty. According to Hong Mai's (洪邁)
Yi Jian Zhi (夷堅志, Song Dynasty), Zhenghe Seventh Year, Emperor's Chief Secretary, Li Shi-Ju, lived a simple life.
He spent a large portion of his time in his mediation room practicing Daoist Monk’s exercises expanding like a bear
and stretching like a bird. In the early hours, he is often found breathing and massaging, practicing the so-called
Eight-Section Brocade (Ba Duan Jin). This passage reveals that Ba Duan Jin has been developed and practiced
since the Song Dynasty as a general health-keeping regime.
Both sitting and standing forms have been found in the history of Ba Duan Jin (八段錦),. Standing forms were developed
into two schools (northern and southern styles) in the Qing Dynasty. The Northern School, said to have been passed down
by Yue Fei (岳飛), has tougher forms, and the Southern School, claimed the lineage from Liang Shi-Chang (梁世昌),
focuses on softer trainings. Quite a few verses has been passed down during the period from Song Dynasty to Qing
Dynasty, but all verses for the standing forms have evolved from the passages recorded in "The Chapter of
Wonders, Pivot of Dao" (道樞·眾妙篇, Dao Shu, Zong Miao Pian, Song Dynasty) and verses of the sitting style
from the forms recorded in "TheTen Books of Daoist Practices" (修真十書 Xiu Zhen Shi Shu, Ming Dynasty ).
or"The Methods of Curing"(活人心法, Huo Ren Xin Fa, Ming Dynasty). Sets Ba Duan Jin forms are not always
limited to the number of eight. The number of forms in a set range from a single form to tens or as many as a
hundred; nevertheless, they are all exercise regimes designed for health-keeping, preventive, and therapeutic
purposes, and, liberally saying, all exercise regimes designed for such purposes are part of the Ba Duan Jin system."
- Lee Chang-Chih, A Brief Introduction to Ba Daun Jin. "Reinterpreting Ba Duan Jing From the Theories of
the Eight Extra Meridians" 2005..




The above schema was created by me based upon 1) my reading of qigong literature of a general nature, 2) my reading of
books and magazine articles, and listening to media products about the Eight Section Brocade qigong, 3) the Before
Heaven Arrangement of the Eight Diagrams attributed to the mythical sage-ruler Fu Hsi, 4) my reading of Western
esoteric, Pagan, and Magikal literature regarding practices of the Green Wizard, and 5) the notes I made while getting
group or personal instruction from a qigong or taijiquan teacher in the Eight Section Brocade.
Depending upon which qigong expert you consult, you will likely find different associations, attributions, and correlations for
these movements, tri-grams, and bodily organs. Furthermore, there is one theory about how the five elements "control" each
other. For example, water controls fire, so an exercise like the "Wise Owl Gazes Backwards" stimulates the "Water" element,
which in turn helps to balance excesses in "Fire" element, and thus helps to improve the liver. The many theories about the
Five Elements (i.e., Five Activities), the Eight Diagrams, and their relationship to Chinese medicine are far outside the
scope of this essay on the Eight Section Brocade.
My own personal view is that mindfulness exercises of this type help calm the mind and body, lower the blood pressure,
provide mild stimulation to the organs of the body, provide rest and relaxation, move the limbs through a wider range of
motion, provide for stretching the muscles, reduce stress, improve the digestion, help the immune system to function
better, improve balance and coordination, increase the respiratory volume, lift the spirits, and help make exercise fun for
us. Some controlled medical studies also support some of these health improvement claims. Thus, my own beneficial
experiences, and positive comments from others, reinforce my decision to continue to enjoy practicing the Eight
Section Brocade standing qigong form. I believe that the whole body and mind benefit from this type of gentle qigong.
I encourage you to try this pleasant exercise routine for 100 days and discover for yourself the positive results.

__________________
Oh THAT'S how that works!

These will help you gain what you are seeking "concentration, relaxation, stress relief, etc". Internal will help you for sure reach your goals.

__________________
The heart is the same as heaven and earth
visit www.fuzzydragonmartialartssupplies.com

__________________
The heart is the same as heaven and earth
visit www.fuzzydragonmartialartssupplies.com

What about exercises for building up and storing chi

And getting rid of excess or bad chi..

__________________
Wisdom, peace, and strength are not flowers to pick, but mountains to climb.

Ba Duan Jin(read previous post), Yi Jin Jing

__________________
Oh THAT'S how that works!

Here's another exercise you could try. It's a Taoist Standing meditation much like the ones discussed here: Dharma-Zen Blog » Blog Archive » Natural Potential Chi Kung/Qi Gong And The Mystical Power- Chi (Qi)

__________________
"The power of a punch is controlled by the depth of the will behind that punch" - Hsing-Yi Manual
--
Dharma-Zen Tai Chi Studio

Thanks guys. I'm going to starting training hardcore, eating healthy, and pretty much gonna start living again.

Gotta do some of these exercises.

__________________

“	Originally Posted By: KungFuMan I also learned a praying mantis fist style from watching the actual insect itself. This was before I actually learned some seven star mantis.	”

Thanks Chris.

__________________

“	Originally Posted By: KungFuMan I also learned a praying mantis fist style from watching the actual insect itself. This was before I actually learned some seven star mantis.	”

Try Sup Bat Law Horn...

CYF & DFW both have the set. CYF's is on youtube & it's CLF specific.

__________________
Terrorists aren't overseas. They're at the gas pump.
********
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. -- Kung Fu-tzu (Confucius)

Hmmm, the baduanjin I learned is a bit more advanced than described. There's no point in just learning the choreography of the IMA.
Here's a link where I describe zhan zhuang:
Relaxation and Standing Practice « Personal Development From Lifeworks
And one for the Six Healing Sounds:
The Healing Power Of Sound « Personal Development From Lifeworks

Enjoy!