Eight-section Brocade, as a traditional Chinese health and fitness method, has been loved by health enthusiasts since ancient times. Its movements are simple and easy to learn, but it contains profound Chinese medicine Qi and blood health preservation theory. This article will elaborate on the origin of Eight-section Brocade, movement analysis, Qi and blood health preservation principles and its practical effects, in order to help readers better understand and master this ancient health wisdom.

  1. The origin and development of Eight-section Brocade

Eight-section Brocade, also known as “brocade”, originated 1,000 years ago and is an independent and complete fitness method. According to historical records, Eight-section Brocade was originally created by a Taoist named Zhongli Quan. Later, after continuous sorting and improvement by generations of health practitioners, it gradually formed the Eight-section Brocade we see today. The movement arrangement of Eight-section Brocade follows the running rules of the meridians and blood of the human body, and harmonizes the functions of the internal organs through limb movements to achieve the purpose of strengthening the body.

  1. Analysis of the movements of Eight-section Brocade

Eight-section Brocade includes eight movements, each of which has its unique health preservation effect. The following is a detailed analysis of each movement:

  1. Lifting the sky with both hands to regulate the three burners: This movement stretches the chest, abdomen, waist and back by lifting both hands, which can harmonize the qi and blood of the three burners and enhance the cardiopulmonary function.
  2. Drawing the bow left and right like shooting an eagle: This movement simulates the posture of archery. By expanding the chest and arms, it can strengthen the respiratory function of the lungs and exercise the upper limb muscles at the same time.
  3. To regulate the spleen and stomach, you must lift one hand: lift one hand and press down with the other hand, pull up and down to strengthen the digestive function of the spleen and stomach and harmonize the qi and blood.
  4. Look back to relieve the five labors and seven injuries: This movement can relax the neck muscles by turning the head, and stimulate the cervical nerves at the same time, which helps to relieve fatigue and improve sleep quality.
  5. Shaking the head and tail to remove heart fire: By bending forward and backward and swaying the body left and right, it can stimulate the spine and waist and back nerves, which helps to remove heart fire and harmonize the heart and kidneys.
  6. Hold your feet with both hands to strengthen your kidneys and waist: This action stretches the waist and back muscles, strengthens kidney function, and exercises lower limb strength by bending over and holding your feet with both hands.
  7. Hold your fists and glare to increase your strength: This action can stimulate the liver meridian system, strengthen the liver’s detoxification function, and improve the body’s stress resistance by holding your fists and glaring.
  8. Shake your back seven times to eliminate all diseases: By lifting your heels, putting your toes on the ground, and then relaxing your whole body, you can stimulate the meridian points on the soles of your feet, harmonize the body’s qi and blood, and help eliminate various diseases.
  9. The principle of qi and blood health preservation in Ba Duan Jin

The principle of qi and blood health preservation in Ba Duan Jin is mainly based on the meridian qi and blood theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the circulation of qi and blood in the human body is the basis for maintaining life activities, and meridians are the channels for the circulation of qi and blood. Through the practice of various movements, Ba Duan Jin can dredge the meridians, harmonize qi and blood, and make the circulation of qi and blood smoother, thereby achieving the purpose of strengthening the body. In addition, Ba Duan Jin also focuses on the coordination of breathing and movement, and enhances the respiratory function of the lungs through deep breathing, promoting the generation and circulation of qi and blood.

  1. The practical effect of Ba Duan Jin

People who practice Ba Duan Jin for a long time will find that their physical condition has been significantly improved. First, Ba Duan Jin can enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve the body’s immunity; secondly, Ba Duan Jin can also harmonize the functions of the internal organs and improve the functions of the digestive system and endocrine system; thirdly, Ba Duan Jin can also enhance muscle strength and flexibility, improve the flexibility and coordination of the body; finally, Ba Duan Jin can also relieve stress and fatigue, improve sleep quality, and improve the quality of life.

In short, Ba Duan Jin, as a traditional health and fitness exercise, has a profound theoretical foundation of Chinese medicine qi and blood health and a wide range of practical application value. Through long-term practice of Ba Duan Jin, we can not only improve our physical condition and quality of life, but also better understand and inherit the excellent health culture of the Chinese nation.