Gymnastics 8 pieces of brocade with a description. The Eight Pieces of Brocade is a traditional qigong exercise to prolong life.
Health qigong. Ba duan jin (ba duan jin) or 8 pieces of brocade - One of the most popular methods in China of traditional qigong psychophysical gymnastics, which is widely practiced
Ba duan jing (ba duan jin) or eight pieces of brocade - One of the most popular methods of traditional qigong psychophysical gymnastics in China, which is widely practiced by the masses. The set of exercises is widespread in Taoist, Buddhist and lay schools in China. A long and effective existence has led to the fact that it is practiced by almost all segments of the population (young, old, healthy, sick, martial artists, etc.). Ba Duan Jing has more than a thousand years of history. According to legend, it was created by the famous and great ancient commander Yue Fei (岳飛) to improve the general physical training of soldiers. Now it is used to maintain and improve health, as well as to prolong life.
There are many options for exercises and they are presented on this site.
The main content of the system are dynamic respiratory and physical exercise combined with concentration. Strengthening tendons and muscles, increasing human energy with the help of internal strength. At regular practice exercises will have a powerful harmonizing and healing effect on a person.
Wants to live long and active life without disease.
Has, but wants to get rid of chronic diseases.
Strive to improve mental health, patience, physical strength, acquire flexibility.
Balance Yin and Yang in your body and mind.
In general, it is easy to learn, safe, has no contraindications (except those described below), has no age restrictions, the conditions for practice are minimal. For the effectiveness of the lesson and focusing the mind on managing internal strength, it is better to do it in the morning (not necessarily, for example, I like to do it before going to bed, and I noticed that I sleep like a baby), in a calm place, with clean air, that is, ventilate the room before doing it, without drafts , ideally outdoors.
The whole complex does not require compliance with any restrictions and important conditions, but it is still recommended:
moderation in sex (immediately after sex, you should not engage in);
do not engage in energy and mental disorders (fever, exacerbation of a chronic illness, in a state of intoxication or after high psychological stress);
women during menstruation should not be engaged in this complex, during pregnancy only under the supervision of a specialist.
Many may ask:
So which one to choose? After all, you always want to start from the very best.
Personally, I'm working on the version from Wang Ling's book, I just bought it five years ago. I would advise you to simply trust your intuition, I will say one thing that the sitting complex is intended for sick and weakened people. The main thing that I understood not only from this system, but from life in general:
"You need to take the first step and choose the direction of the path and it will lead you exactly to the place you were trying to get to. I have not met otherwise."
An example of the implementation of the complex:
Video Ba Duan Jing - Eight Piece Brocade Shaolin Style.medical option. Performed by the doctor of the Shaolin Monastery Chen Shichhao. Recorded in2007 in the guest house of the Russian Center at the Shaolin Monastery.
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Palm Shapes in Ba Duan Jin
Having considered in sufficient detail the importance of forming the correct position of the brush, we will go directly to the shapes of the brushes used in the Eight Pieces of Brocade.
There are only four of them: the palm (used in almost all exercises), a single finger (used when “pulling the bow” for the hand that “holds the bow”), a leopard paw (used when “pulling the bow” for the hand that “holds the bowstring” ”) and a fist (for the exercise “Punch”). No additional explanations are required for the figures below, the only thing that needs to be constantly remembered is that, taking any form (in particular, clenching into a fist), the palm never tenses.
This form of the fist is wonderfully described in Tai Chi Chuan: "Close your fist like you're holding a fly." Here neither subtract nor add: if you squeeze your fist a little harder than necessary, you will crush the fly, if you open it a little more than it should be, the fly will fly away.
Palm
single finger
Leopard paw
Fist clenching - position 2
Fist clenching - position 3
Fist clenching - position 4
From these drawings it can be seen that the position of the fist is quite specific. This is due to the fact that the seventh piece of brocade (punch) includes a fragment of finger Qigong. This position of the thumb is used because it closes the Lao Gong point after the palm has "collected" the energy and "returns" it back into the body.
In Chan-Mi-Gong in the section "Methods of protection and purification from negative energy" there is a direct analogue of this technique. The difference is that it is intended for temporary closing of the body and instead of the thumbs, the middle fingers are used, which, bending, press with their tips on the Lao-Gong points, which in this case work as a gate that closes the body. At the same time, one should mentally imagine that the pores of the entire body are closed. When the body is closed in this way, no harmful qi can enter.
In Ba-Duan-Jin, the fist is folded in two ways:
1. First thumb, the index finger is superimposed on it, then the middle one, then the ring finger and, finally, the little finger (Fig. Folding the fist - position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Fingers bend without haste one at a time. All this is not done automatically, but under the constant control of the mind - a typical finger Qigong.
2. First, the thumb, then the other four fingers are immediately superimposed on it (Fig. Fist clenching - position 1 and fig. Fist clenching - position 5). In the considered version of the complex, this method is used.
Ba Duan Jin Complex
Alleged history
What is history, if not a fable, which they agreed to believe.
Napoleon Bonaparte
The name "Ba-Duan-Jin" (the hieroglyph Ba - "eight", the hieroglyph Duan - "piece", the hieroglyph Jin - "beautiful", "sparkling", for example brocade) translates approximately as "Eight pieces of brocade", or a set of health exercises , with its perfection similar to silk.
This name has two interpretations. According to one of them, brocade is a high-quality multi-colored fabric that symbolizes the many-sided impact of exercises on the entire human body. According to another version, the exercises of this complex were first recorded and sketched on the cuts of the brocade.
In favor of the second version is evidenced by the fact that in the 1970s. in the city of Changsha, a tomb of a high-ranking official from the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) was found. It contained a piece of brocade with a pattern called "Illustration of Qi Transfer". It clearly depicts four movements (they are circled in the figure below), very similar to the movements of the modern Ba-Duan-Jin complex: “Shooting with the right and left hands in the pose of an archer”; “To normalize the work of the abdomen and spleen - one hand in the air”; “To strengthen the kidneys - sliding the hands over the back and legs and touching the feet”; "To cure diseases - lifting and lowering on the heels."
A piece of brocade with illustrations of Qi Transfer
Similar illustrations are found in the book "Caring for the Health of the Mind and Prolonging Life" by Tuo Hong Jing, who lived during the reign of the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589).
The complex is also called "Formula of Leading and Attracting Xu Zhen-Jun". Perhaps this is a distorted name of Xu Xun, who lived during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) and to whom the descendants attributed this complex.
Another name for the complex is “Taoist energy exercises” due to the fact that, according to another version, it originated in a Taoist environment, where it was practiced to cleanse the internal channels of the body in order to open them for free circulation of energy.
The first written references to the practice of Ba Duan Jin are found in the book Listener's Notes - Selected Stories of Supernatural Beings by Hong Mai during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
In the process of spreading the method, there was a split into the northern and southern schools. Northern is credited to Marshal Yue Fei, who developed several qigong exercises to improve the health of his soldiers. The movements here are difficult to perform, the main thing in them is rigidity, the position of Ma-Bu (“on horseback”) is often used. This variation of Ba-Duan-Jin is also called the military eight pieces.
Vintage illustrations for "8 standing pieces"
The southern school is attributed to Liang Shichan, here outwardly the movements are simpler, the main thing in them is softness; they are also called civilian eight pieces. During the development of this school, a sitting form of this practice was formed in it (8 sitting pieces).
Vintage illustrations for "8 seated pieces"
Like any "decent" Asian practice, the Eight Pieces of Brocade have so-called song instructions. Each individual "piece" has a poetic instruction explaining the deep meaning of the exercise, so for successful classes it is necessary to understand it.
Note that such instructions are a sign of a traditional school that has been passed down from generation to generation for a long time. The fact is that not all practitioners knew how to write, therefore, in order to preserve the transmission in fullness and integrity, they composed verses in which the main provisions of the school were encrypted, understandable only to the initiates. Oral, so to speak, transcript.
The standing complex Eight pieces of brocade is popular in China, so there are quite a lot of varieties of it in historical documents, and all of them are correct and have the same basic principles. Therefore, it is not very important which option of the complex to choose. It is only important to really understand the essence of the practice and train patiently and persistently.
Below are the song instructions for the three chronological stages.
Beginning of the South Sun period
1. Retract the palm, lift up to control the three heaters.
3. East and West are independently pulled to soothe the spleen and stomach.
4. Again and again you look back, overcoming your wounds and weaknesses.
5. Large and small appeals to the sky contribute to the patency of the five dense organs.
6. Swallow saliva, replenishing Qi, waving their arms left and right.
7. They wag their tail like an eel to ward off heart disease.
8. Left and right hand cling to the feet, curing the lower back.
Jurchen and Mongols dynasties
1. Having thrown back, they support and simultaneously put in order three heaters.
2. On the left is the liver, on the right are the lungs - as if they are shooting at an eagle.
3. In the east, the liver, separately prop up the west, so the hands pass.
4. Five fatigues: turn the head, seven wounds straighten out.
5. Swimming fish wags its tail - the heart is cured.
6. Hands clinging to two feet - favorable for the lower back.
7. They beat the heavenly drum thirty-six times.
8. Cover the ears with palms, then tap on the head.
Beginning of the Guan Manchu period
1. Support the sky with two hands - favorable for three heaters.
2. To the left and to the right they pull the bow, as if they are shooting at an eagle.
3. To put the spleen in order, you need to separately lift the stomach.
4. There are five fatigues and seven wounds - look back.
5. You shake your head and wag your tail - the fire of the heart passes.
6. If you roll over backwards seven times, a hundred diseases will disappear.
7. If you bring your fists together, look furiously, you will increase the power of Qi.
8. Grab your feet with both hands - you will strengthen your lower back and kidneys.
These song formulas are given in order to show the continuity of the tradition, which is clearly visible at least by the coincidence of the names of the movements.
General provisions
The Eight Piece Brocade system is available to the general public: the movements are simple, you can practice anywhere, there are no restrictions on age or physical condition. As a rule, there are no difficulties in performing the Ba-Duan-Jin complex, since the level of load and intensity of exercises are low and easily regulated. The absence of complex methods of concentration of attention allows you to study the system on your own.
Most people begin to study the Eight Pieces of Brocade because of the noticeable and relatively fast healing effects. This effect is based on the principle of "calm serene heart and focused mind." When a person becomes calm, nervous system rests and, as a result, the coordination of the functions of various organs of the body improves. Relaxation of the whole body, deep and natural breathing, smooth movements controlled by thought, lead to the harmony of "external" and "internal".
The combination of tension and relaxation, movement and rest maintains a balance between Yin and Yang, improves blood circulation and Qi, leads to strengthening the body and improving health.
With systematic exercises, there is a significant decrease in the deformation of the spinal column, an improvement in its mobility, strengthening of ligaments, bones, an increase in muscle strength, range of motion in the joints, which is a good means of preventing osteochondrosis, sciatica, and arthritis. There is an improvement in cardiac activity (according to ECG data), blood pressure stabilizes, endurance increases, and recovery processes after exercise are faster.
At regular classes the amplitude of movement of the chest increases, the elasticity of the lung tissue increases, the vital capacity of the lungs increases, gas exchange in them improves.
Rhythmic alternations of tension and relaxation skeletal muscle and diaphragms improve the movement of blood in the abdominal cavity, normalizing intestinal motility, eliminating congestion in the liver.
Exercise has a positive effect on metabolism. In the blood of those involved, the level of cholesterol decreases, which ensures the prevention of atherosclerosis. Improves metabolism in the body, which leads to a decrease in excess weight.
The practice of Eight pieces of brocade noticeably increases the tone of the body, relieves fatigue, and reduces the need for sleep. Ba-Duan-Jin is widely used as a recovery complex for athletes after competitions, as well as people whose work is associated with high mental, intellectual and physical stress.
Implementation principles
There was no nail - the horseshoe fell; the horseshoe fell - the horse limped; the horse limped - the commander was killed, the cavalry was defeated, the army was running. The enemy enters the city, sparing no prisoners, because there was no nail in the forge.
On the importance of exact implementation of even the most general principles
To balance the circulation of internal energy, the movements of the body must be soft, rounded, smooth, calm, "spacious", continuous and natural. They are performed by no means thoughtlessly, but under the constant control of the mind. Movement should not be interrupted. Even if this happens, the external pause does not interrupt the internal circulation of Qi.
It is very important to relax the body, for which you need to build correct posture(body position). If the body is relaxed, then the exercises will bring a much greater effect. If the mind is calm, then a person can more easily endure psychological and physiological stress. A calm, neutral mind allows you to fully concentrate on the exercise. There is even a special joke about the state of mind in Qigong: if a thousand naked beauties pass by a man practicing Qigong, then only one thought should flash through his mind: “a thousand naked beauties pass by me.”
Breathing should become measured, deep and natural, the heart should beat calmly.
When the body, breath and mind act without compulsion, the exercise becomes natural (this does not mean that the process of practice can be left to chance, on the contrary, only in such a state is the mind able to fully control the process).
In order to facilitate the process of relaxing the body and calming the mind, one can imagine, for example, flowing water or floating clouds.
The initial stage can be broken down into approximately three stages:
1. Correct positions body (including racks).
2. Correct execution of movements.
3. Understanding the effort in each exercise.
When performing exercises, you must take into account your age and physical state and in accordance with this independently choose the intensity and level of load.
If the duration of classes, the number of repetitions and the intensity of the movements are determined correctly, then after training the mind, body and Qi gain balance, which immediately begins to affect daily life.
The minimum number of repetitions of each exercise of the complex is 3 times in each direction (if the “piece” is done only in one direction, then 6 times). As skill grows and energy potential increases, you can increase the number of repetitions of each exercise up to 24 times.
There are several ways to practice the Eight Pieces of Brocade:
1. As a separate complex:
First time exercise Eight pieces of brocade is best done in the morning immediately after waking up. Ideally, they can be done twice: the first time - to wake up the body and lightly warm up the muscles. The second - in compliance with all the rules, when the consciousness has already awakened.
In the middle of the day (approximately at 15-16 or 18-19 hours) - to stimulate brain activity and relax the whole body.
In the evening, just before going to bed and always after sunset, in order to clear the mind after daytime worries, remove accumulated fatigue.
2. Martial arts training includes:
In this case, the Ba-Duan-Jin exercises can be performed several times during the training.
In the beginning, to concentrate attention and eliminate distracting thoughts.
In the end, to restore the body.
You can perform several exercises of your choice after intense loads, complex complexes, fights, etc.
In any mode of training, compliance correct mode day increases the effect of performing the exercises of the Ba-Duan-Jin complex. You should not force training, because the speed of achieving results depends on the characteristics of each person. The most important thing is gradualness and constancy.
Ba Duan Jin is perfectly complemented by other practices (some of these practices have been mentioned above). In particular, its combination with self-massage, pillar standing (Zhuang Gong), Tai Chi Quan, and sitting meditation is considered generally accepted. It is also good to just read and study after it.
Performing the Ba-Duan-Jin complex
Even the journey of a thousand li begins with the first step.
An ancient Chinese proverb sometimes attributed to Lao Tzu
The implementation of the Ba-Duan-Jin complex simply begins with the first exercise.
Our interpretation for our case
As noted above, there are many "correct" varieties of the standing complex Eight pieces of brocade. After studying and comparative analysis of a fairly large number of variants, the authors (despite their undoubted commitment to the traditional Wu-Shu and Qigong variants) chose a modern modification of the complex, compiled by the All-China Health Qigong Association, to describe in this book.
This is due to the following reasons.
First and foremost, the complex is entirely designed in the traditional manner and fully preserves the “taste” of real Qigong.
Of all the options studied, this one is perhaps the most simple and unsophisticated outwardly.
And finally, the initial and final exercises were added to the eight traditional ones. The first of them is one of the modifications of the famous "Zhuang Gong" (pillar standing), and the last one is "gathering Qi". Both of them seem to be a very valuable and natural addition to the complex.
Initial exercise (brief standing in a pole)The traditional Ba Duan Jin does not begin with a soothing meditation. For this purpose, an additional pose is intended (let's conditionally call it "zero").
ImplementationExercise builds the structure of the body, harmonizes the flow of Qi, calms the mind, regulates breathing and relaxes the internal organs.
Performance1. Get straight. Heels together, arms hanging freely along the body. The gaze is directed straight ahead. Breathing is slow and even. Take a few breaths and exhales, mentally directing the air into the Dan Tien (Fig. 0–1).
Rice. 0–1
Rice. 0–2
Rice. 0–3
2. Transfer the weight of the body to the right leg and take a step to the side with the left foot shoulder width apart. Feet parallel. Raise your hands to the level of the hips, palms back. The gaze is directed straight ahead (Fig. 0–2).
3. Slightly bend your knees. Raise your hands to the level of the navel and form a “ball hug pose”. Fingertips approximately 10 cm apart (Fig. 0–3).
Piece 1. "With both hands to support the sky and heat the triple heater"
Both hands support the Sky to regulate the San Jiao (Triple Heater); San Jiao passes Qi freely and smoothly, diseases disappear. Turn your palms towards the sky and raise both hands. Straighten your chest, straighten your lower back. Stand up straight and freeze. Practice for a long time, the body will become strong, and you will be happy.
Song instructions for the first piece
In Chinese traditional medicine, there is the concept of "San Jiao". Most often it is translated as Triple heater, which is most likely due to the fact that this term was first translated from Chinese into English as a triple heater (or triple warmer), and only then (literally) into Russian. A translation closer to the original seems to be "Three Furnaces" or "Three Hearths".
The first heater is the area above the diaphragm; the second is the area between the diaphragm and the navel; the third is the area between the navel and groin. They are responsible for nutrition, respiration and excretion, respectively. The heaters include energy centers for a range of zones. For example, the lower one is for the meridians of the liver and kidneys, the middle one is for the lungs and heart, etc. It is believed that the incorrect movement of energy in the three heaters is the main cause of Qi circulation disturbance in other organs.
When performing the first exercise, each of these three energy zones is warmed up due to the movement of Qi from the bottom up along the anterior median meridian.
In the first phase of the exercise, the fingers are connected to each other, the edges of the palms are located opposite the Qi-Hai point, at the level of the lower Dan Tien.
On inspiration, the arms rise up along the anteromedian meridian, the elbows point down. It is important that you do not rise up with your hands rib cage and shoulders.
When the palms reach the level of the middle Dan Tien (Tian Zhong point), the palms turn away from themselves. Then, as you inhale, raise your arms straight up. The gaze follows the palms up. When the arms are straightened above the head, the gaze is shifted forward into the distance.
Then the arms are spread apart and smoothly lowered down. At the level of the lower Dan Tien, the fingers join again, thus ending the cycle. When the arms are raised, the muscles of the torso are stretched, and when lowered, they relax, allowing the free flow of Qi. The repetition of these movements regulates the movement of Qi through the three heaters. When it becomes smooth, the internal organs relax and heal.
The most important (it was she who served as the basis for the name of the exercise) is the phase when the arms are raised, the palms are turned up and are directly above the crown. The spine should be straight (“stretched, but not tense”). The position of the body is vertical, the hands seem to be attracted to the sky, and the legs to the ground. Due to this, a person is stretched, becoming a conductor connecting Heaven and Earth.
In addition to the impact on the three heaters, the exercise has another aspect - the impact on the energy sphere around the physical body.
To understand what we are talking about, you need to know that there are three circles of energy circulation in Qigong:
1. "Small in the Small Heavenly Circle", or the circulation of energy in the lower Dan Tien.
2. "Small Celestial Circle" - the circulation of energy along the anterior and posterior median meridians.
3. "The Great Heavenly Circle", when in addition to the body and head, arms and legs are included in the cycle (sometimes in practices top level, as, for example, in Chan-Mi-Gong, a large circle is the movement of Qi along the path Heaven - Man - Earth - Man - Sky, etc.).
In addition to these three circles, there is also an external energy sphere (in the West it is called an aura), which can be described as a large celestial circle projected outward. This sphere is formed when energy accumulates in abundance and goes beyond the physical body of a person.
In an average healthy person, this sphere has the shape of an oval. Its top is slightly above the head, and the bottom goes into the ground by 20–30 cm. The healthier and more energetic the person, the wider the boundaries of the sphere. In the context of this concept, the first exercise is aimed at stretching the energy sphere vertically.
The philosophical meaning of this piece of brocade is that when the hands are raised up, the inner strength is concentrated in the palms, where all hand meridians begin. This is the hidden essence of the phrase: "Raising the sky with both hands." The ancients believed that "Raise the sky" means to raise an endless, immense, heavy thing, to perform a significant deed.
In addition, stretching out to the sky and resting his feet on the ground, a person, as it were, connects Heaven and Earth, becomes one with them.
You don't own your own body! How do you hope to find the Way and master it?
Buddha
Qigong - this is the common name for the numerous practices of the Chinese tradition of self-development and self-improvement. These include a great variety of various systems, exercises and, of course, entire schools.
The most popular division among qigong varieties is the division into hard qigong and qigong to prolong life. Of course, this division is very arbitrary, because if you look closely, the boundaries are easily erased and you no longer understand what is where.
When an ordinary Chinese learns that you are practicing qigong, one of the first questions is: " can you break the stone?" Why?
Because people think you are doing hard qigong. Yes, it is hard qigong that is most famous in China among the common people. It is actively promoted, shown as a show in circuses and on the streets.
So what is "hard qigong"? How hard is it really and what is it for? Let's try to figure it out.
The name itself is tough - or ying (?), appeared for two reasons:
- Representatives of this direction train in breaking solid objects, bending iron objects, then they deal with all sorts of hard things.
- Representatives of hard qigong train their body to endure exorbitant loads and external influences, often deadly. Simply put, they make their body "hard" like a stone.
Most of the methods of hard qigong relate to all kinds of hardening. By means of regular external influences, the tissues of the body change their structure and become less susceptible to pain, the effects of piercing and cutting objects. Vivid representatives of hard qigong are the "iron shirt", "diamond finger", "8 pieces of brocade", "Canon of changes in muscles and tendons" complexes.
What was hard qigong used for and where did this tradition come from?
Blame it all martial arts, which are known to be very common in China. It was very important for a warrior to protect himself, vulnerable parts of the body. Make it so potential rival it was extremely difficult to cause harm in a fight.
In addition, thanks to hard qigong, a person actually turned his body into a superweapon. Amazing strength, endurance, strength of joints and bones. All these possibilities were open to those who practice hard qigong. A person could painlessly endure poking with a knife, spear, punches and kicks. Also, an adept of hard qigong could stand like a mountain and with a light touch throw opponents away from him. By the way, this is why hard qigong is often called martial qigong.
However, over time, when there were much fewer fights and conflicts began to be resolved in more humane ways, the need for super-development of one's physical indicators gradually ceased to be so relevant. That is why hard qigong gradually moved into the category of a circus show.
However, there is another side to hard qigong. The word Ying can be translated not only as hard, but also as hard, rough qigong. Why do we need to know these nuances of translation?
The fact is that the very essential part that distinguishes hard qigong from qigong for life extension is its “gross” or bodily orientation. That is, most of the exercises of various hard qigong complexes are focused on improving rather external or, more correctly, superficial parameters of the physical body: strength, endurance, development of muscles, joints, bones, ligaments. While qigong for life extension is already focused more on meditation, work with the psyche, internal organs and other complex internal systems. That is, to work with more subtle matters.
Today, numerous complexes of hard qigong are taking on a new life. People are actively engaged in them, not for the sake of achieving supernatural fighting qualities, but for the sake of health and maintenance physical parameters. For example, hard qigong helps maintain flexibility, helps maintain healthy joints, and helps prevent back and spine problems, as well as problems with bones, muscles, and ligaments.
For many people who practice hard qigong, it has become a form of morning exercise.
Due to the high health-improving efficiency, hard qigong complexes fell in love with Chinese medicine. In some clinics, they are prescribed for almost any problem, because they are usually very simple, have no contraindications, and at the same time help to effectively restore the state of the body in a fairly short time.
Preparing for meditation practice
I wrote that the line between hard qigong and life extension qigong is very thin. Why? Because in fact, hard qigong is the first stage of working with yourself. A strong and enduring physical body, which the practitioner will receive with regular performance prescriptions of hard qigong, will not interfere, and will become faithful assistant with continued meditation practice.
The same approach can be seen in many other traditions, perhaps the most striking of which is Indian yoga. IN Indian yoga, the essence of which was described in his sutras by Patanjali, a famous Indian practical scientist who lived in the 2nd century BC. era, there are various stages that the adept must master. Practice begins with the body: performing asanas. This stage is followed by higher and more complex stages - this is meditation, which leads to the mastery of one's psyche. That is, yoga asanas, so popular today, serve as initial charge for the body and are not aimed at deep work. That's what meditation is for.
The same is true in qigong. Often with an integrated approach, hard qigong is used to maintain the physical body, strength, endurance and other parameters. Further, the adept masters more complex meditative techniques. But in fact, the sequence of development is not so fundamental. The main thing is how you use the acquired skills and knowledge further. Understand what is basic and what is secondary, preparatory in your practice.
This does not mean that meditation cannot be mastered without hard qigong, of course not. However, if you use meditative practice in conjunction with hard qigong, this will bring brighter results. The body will not suffer from a lack of attention, while you will be busy developing your psyche in meditation practices.
Varieties of dynamic hard qigong
There are a huge number of varieties of complexes that can be attributed to hard qigong. Their common characteristic is that they are all made up of dynamic exercises and are therefore often referred to as dynamic qigong as well. The most famous of them are: Yi Ding Ding, Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Games) and Ba Duan Ting (8 pieces of brocade).
And ding ding is the canon of muscle and tendon change. The complex, the author of which is the legendary founder of Chan Buddhism Bodhidharma, an Indian prince and monk who lived and preached in China for some time. Bodhidharma stopped near the Shaolin Monastery and spent 9 years on one of the local mountains in a cave in continuous meditation facing the wall. It is believed that after Bodhidharma finished his meditation, his body, muscles and ligaments were so weakened that he could not even stand up. And it was the practice of Yi Ding Ding that helped him quickly restore his physical condition and breathe life into himself. According to legend, the great ascetic, having descended from the mountain, discovered that the local Buddhist monks did not pay attention to the physical body at all, they called it the "Smelly Bag of Bones" and devoted all their time to reading sacred texts and meditation. At the same time, the body simply could not stand it, the monks often fell ill and died early. Due to the weakness of the body, the quality of meditation was also very low, the monks could not meditate for a long time and, as a result, simply did not have time to get the fruits of their practice. Then Bodhidharma explained the importance of taking care of the body and taught the monks the I Ding Ding complex, a kind of hard qigong, to maintain the body. It is believed that it was from this complex that some types of martial arts were subsequently born, for which Shaolin Monastery is famous to this day.
8 pieces of brocade
This is one of the legendary varieties of dynamic hard qigong. This complex originated from the legendary Yi ding ding complex, through simplification and further processing. Simplification, however, did not lead to a decrease in efficiency, but on the contrary, it allowed a much larger number of people to master this complex and take it into service.
Just like its famous ancestor, "8 pieces of brocade" and the principles by which it works, is the basis for many types of martial arts. But of course, first of all, it has a healing and restorative character.
The name "8 pieces of brocade" or "Ba Duan Tin", is called so because it consists of 8 exercises. Brocade is a type of rare and expensive fabric, thus emphasizing the value of these exercises. And finally why fabric? Here is a reference to fabrics human body. Thus, "Ba Duan Tin" is eight valuable exercises for the development of body tissues.
Implementation methods. There are three types of this complex: lying, sitting and standing. The need for these varieties is associated with a different state in which a person may be starting to practice. Remember the story of Bodhidharma? After his long practice, he was so weak that he could only lie down. Then, by doing exercises in the lying position, he learned to sit, continued to do them while sitting, and finally got up.
The Legend of Marshal Yue Fei
Marshal Yue Fei was one of Bodhidharma's disciples. After the death of the great mentor, he was appointed to lead the fighting in one of the outlying provinces. His army was strong, but the enemy dug in in the walled city. Among other things, the city was warned in advance and ready for a long siege.
Yue Fei's army is encamped outside the city walls. After some time, the morale of the soldiers began to fall and diseases settled in the camp. Yue Fei saw this and realized that if the enemy opened the gate, they would easily defeat his army. Something had to be done immediately. And then he decided to teach his soldiers the knowledge received from Bodhidharma.
Since most of the army were simple peasants, but at the same time it was necessary to quickly help them get into shape, Yue Fei revised and simplified the complex system of "I Ding Ding" to 8 exercises. He chose the most important, only the most effective exercises and taught them to his soldiers. This was the "8 pieces of brocade" complex. His task was simple - to make the bodies of the soldiers strong, strong, hardy, to raise morale. And that all this happens in the shortest possible time.
The soldiers got stronger in a matter of weeks and the diseases left their bodies. When the enemy finally opened the gate and went out to fight, Yue Fei's army easily defeated them.
Tendon practices of the world: analogues of hard qigong
In most serious systems of self-development and self-improvement, one can find approximate analogues of tendon Chinese practices. Above, I already wrote about Indian hatha yoga, but it is not the only one. In the process of self-examination, practitioners all over the world sooner or later "created" such practices. After all, the body works everywhere and always according to the same laws. So, for example, the Indians had practices that were later restored or, more precisely, revived by the anthropologist and writer Carlos Castaneda. He called this practice Tensegrity. In many cultures, tendon dynamic practices have gradually lost their meaning and turned into a kind of ritual dances. So, for example, it happened in Southeast Asia, partly in India.
8 pieces of brocade: three aspects
When studying the complex of 8 pieces of brocade, its phased development takes place. At Wu Dao Pai we divide it into three stages: body, body+breath, breath+attention. I remind you that attention is the very energy, for those who are interested in this particular aspect in the complex.
There are also a lot of options for this complex in China. At the Wu Dao Pai school, its deep aspects are studied: the influence of individual exercises on specific organs, emotions, body tissues, work with breathing and, of course, safety precautions.
At the same time, a seemingly simple complex really gives the practitioner a whole bunch of useful skills: endurance and physical strength - this is true for athletes. Strong joints, flexible ligaments, healthy muscles of the back and the whole body - for everyone who is interested in maintaining health. Beautiful body, dexterity, mobility - probably everyone without exception.
Nowhere did they know how to take care of their health and feel the needs of their body so well as in ancient China. The Chinese invented many medicines, a set of exercises, techniques. China is the birthplace of the most effective massages, unique herbal medicines, various complexes aimed at improving human health.
One of these medical complexes is a unique technique "8 pieces of brocade". You can learn this technique and use it to significantly improve your health thanks to this training video, which will simply and easily tell you about the main exercises of this technique.
Video tutorial "8 pieces of brocade"
The history of the complex "8 pieces of brocade"
The medical complex "8 pieces of brocade" appeared in ancient China. This technique has been in existence for over 800 years. In general, there are several versions of its occurrence. However, the generally accepted official version says that the great commander Yue Fei was the creator of the "8 Pieces of Brocade". This is a famous national hero of China, who led the defense of the country from the barbarians. In troubled times for China, he showed himself as a wise and fearless warrior, marshal and commander. He was seriously engaged in martial arts and created this course to improve the health of soldiers, restore their strength after the battle.
According to another, quite popular version, this treatment and prevention technique was created by Taoist masters. Be that as it may, thousands of people have appreciated the effectiveness of this course and began to actively practice it. Including the Shaolin monks began to actively use it as one of the basic exercises before wushu practice.
Important features of the course "8 pieces of brocade":
- This technique combines relaxation and firmness, calmness and concentration. During the exercise, all the muscles of the body should be as relaxed as possible, and all movements are performed using light force impulses. Exercises combine emancipation and composure, relaxation and mindfulness. All movements should be soft, smooth without sudden transitions and jerks.
- Pay close attention to your breathing. The rhythm of breathing should be even and calm. It is best to use the technique of deep breathing during classes. Before you start exercising, take a few deep breaths and exhale. This will help you relax and get ready for the exercises. Further, breathing should be as natural and calm as possible.
- All movements of the course must be performed slowly, evenly, easily and naturally. We concentrate our attention on the Dan Tien (the energy center located in the lower abdomen, 2 fingers below the navel). In this case, the center of gravity will gradually fall and there will be a slight feeling of fullness in the lower part of the body and emptiness in the upper.
- There are two types of exercises: sitting and standing. The first option is more calm and peaceful, it is advised to perform it early in the morning, when the body has not yet fully woken up. A more dynamic way of doing exercises is standing. These exercises are suitable for people of all ages and with any physical fitness.
The complex has a positive effect on the entire body, healing and strengthening it. This technique has received the greatest dawn in our days. Now it is more popular than ever, almost all segments of the population in China regularly practice it.
