Best version of Ba Duan Jin

Ba Duan Jin is one of the oldest Qigong routines for health and wellbeing from China and this is one of the best versions!

Ba Duan Jin is ancient and dates back to the Yao settlements 4000 years ago when regulated body exercises and special breathing techniques were said to be used for the cure of disease!

Ba Duan Jin is a breathing exercise routine that can be practiced by anyone, young or old and even those unable to stand, as it can be practiced sitting down enabling anyone to improve their breathing!

It’s name reflects its intention, which is to impart a soft, smooth, ‘silk like’ quality to the muscles, joints and energy flow!

Like most of Ancient Chinese history, shrouded in myth & legend, some say Ba Duan Jin started several thousand years ago but the most recent evidence of the health qigong movements come from a silk scroll discovered by archaeologists in 1979, entitled ‘Dao Ying Xing Qi Fa’ (Method of inducing free flow of Qi). Which dates from the Western Han Dynasty (206BC - AD24) and contains drawings resembling the Ba Duan Jin exercises we practice today! You can see the drawings here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fS1X_l7...

During the late 1970’s Chinese Universities and other institutions began introducing Ba Duan Jin into their National Sports curriculum, and doctors began investigating the health benefits via controlled scientific studies! This has served to catalyse a significant evolution of the theory and practice of Ba Duan Jin.

Nowadays, Traditional Chinese Medical Doctors recommend and prescribe their patients specific exercises from Ba Duan Jin as a form of complementary health benefit!

No.2 - Drawing The Bow is a particular favourite for Respiratory Problems!

Each movement focuses on strengthening a particular area of the body, while unblocking and intensifying the energy flow!

The 8 Sections of Ba Duan Jin Health Benefits:

1. Both Hands Support The Sky - Regulates all internal organs, gives your whole body a good stretch, can help with poor posture in the back and shoulders, increases inhalation and prepares you nicely for the following 7 exercises!

2. Drawing A Bow To Each Side - A great emphasis on your thorax, the home of your heart and lungs - thus, improving the flow of energy in your small intestine and helping people with respiratory problems.

3. Separating Heaven and Earth (My favourite) - This exercise increases the flow of energy along both sides of your body and benefits your liver, gall bladder, spleen and stomach.

4. Wise Owl Looks Back - This exercise has a strong affect on your central nervous system and the circulation of blood and Qi (energy) to your head. It stimulates the vital power of your kidneys and is excellent for alleviating high blood pressure.

5. Lowering The Head and Hips - This exercise relieves yang energy (heat) from your heart, can prevent against fever and reduce tension in the Sympathetic Nervous System. Its very relaxing and can ease the flow of energy along a number of the body’s meridians.

6. Reaching The Feet With Two Hands - This exercise can be performed with a complete squat brushing the floor with your fingers making it more physically demanding on your lower back and legs but I prefer the way I demonstrated in the video. The exercise strengthens your kidneys and adrenal glands along with the arteries, veins and nerves associated with them.

7. Clenching The Fists - Not a punch! This exercise helps develop the flow of Qi (energy) through your whole body starting from your feet and finishing from your hands. You should be completely relaxed with a sleight tension at the very end of the movement for a split second then back to relaxation again. The crease at the base of the ring finger is the pressure point for your windpipe therefore putting pressure on it can help increase smoother airflow to your lungs!

8. Shaking The Body - This exercise is great for your spine health, your nervous system and your sense of balance! It will refresh and regenerate all of your internal organs and at the same time your hands will massage your lower back in the kidney area!

Caution - Do not practice if you are heavily pregnant, especially sections 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8!

If you found this video helpful please subscribe and share with your friends and family!

Filmed at The RDS Lapland Training Base in Swedish Lapland - http://www.elitetraining.center

#baduanjin #healthqigong #improvebreathing