Ba Duan Jang

Ba-Duan-Jin is a Chinese form of Calisthenics which has been widely practiced in China for at least eight hundred years. The name translates as the eight segments of silk-brocade and indicates how highly the Chinese people regard these exercises. This popularity and esteem is due to the simplicity of Ba-Duan-Jin and the tremendous benefit that derives from the practice. In contrast to the quiescent Qigong, Ba-Duan-Jin is a Dynamic form of Qigong. The exercises involve three major principles: Tiaoshen (Chinese characters), which means to adjust or prepare the posture; Tiaoxi (Chinese characters), which means to regulate the breathing; Tiaoxin (Chinese characters), which means to calm the mind. A sequence of Ba-Duan-Jin can be completed in about 10 minutes, and it can be practiced anywhere, such as: bedroom or balcony, front or back yard, parks or beach, etc. This minimal investment of time well give rise to improved health, greater flexibility, increased vitality and will dramatically reduce the detrimental effects of stress.