Baduanjin, or “Eight Section Brocade”, is a type of Chinese qigong handed down from ancient times. It was created in the Southern Song Dynasty and caught on in the late Northern Song Dynasty. Baduanjin underwent great development in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There’s no way of establishing who the originator was but it’s fair to say that Baduanjin was collectively created by health experts and qigong practitioners through the ages.

Baduanjin is composed of eight sections of movements. The word “eight” not only refers to the eight movements, but also indicates the multiple elements of the qigong that are inter-restricting, inter-relating and in repeated cycles. Baduanjin (“Eight Section Brocade”) is so named because it is made up of eight sections and the postures and movements are as simple and elegant as brocade.

Baduanjin is divided into two types of postures - sitting and standing. Practicing the Baduanjin in a sitting posture is tranquil, with low exercise intensity. It’s suitable for doing in underwear before getting up or going to bed; while practicing it in a standing posture is fit for people of all ages and all physical conditions.