Learn the Eight Brocades and experience the charm of traditional sports culture.


Release time:

2024-09-06

“ “Qi is primarily guided through movement. Open both hands, feeling as though you’re cradling a ball between them; you’ll sense a gentle pulling sensation between your palms. Keep your head naturally relaxed, your shoulders loose, and allow your armpits to remain empty and open. Fully extend your thumbs—since the thumb corresponds to the lungs—when you open it, you can direct the flow of qi toward your fingertips.” In the staff lounge on the eighth floor of the engineering design company, about 30 people stood in four rows, quietly focusing and breathing deeply as they followed the instructor, learning each posture of the Eight Brocades. The coach demonstrated each movement while explaining the key principles behind every step.

In class, the instructor taught postural alignment, techniques for cultivating qi through Taiji’s still‑standing exercises, and a guided version of the Eight Brocades. The Eight Brocades incorporates numerous rotational and twisting movements that, to a certain extent, massage the internal organs, promote blood circulation, stretch the entire body, and enhance physical function. In today’s fast‑paced society, many employees find themselves in a sub‑healthy state. Improving one’s health through exercise has become an integral part of young people’s lives, with simple, easy‑to‑learn activities that effectively relieve fatigue emerging as the preferred choice.

         “When practicing the Eight Brocades, I can clearly feel my blood circulation accelerating—especially during the ‘Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Arrow’ movement, when extending my arms to the sides, I experience a gentle tingling sensation. The entire practice leaves me relaxed and at ease, as if both body and mind have been purified, my spirit revitalized, and my inner self grown calmer and more serene.” Wang Ziyi, who has been with the company for two months and works in the Electrical Instrumentation Department, believes that practicing the Eight Brocades not only promotes physical fitness but also serves as a means of passing down a rich sporting tradition.

“After attending today’s Ba Duan Jin training session, I’ve mastered its three core elements: movement, breathing, and mental‑mindful awareness. Through the instructor’s guidance, I’ve come to realize that learning Ba Duan Jin requires patience: first, perfect the proper form; then, synchronize your movements with abdominal breathing; and finally, integrate mindful awareness,” said Su Min, who enjoys table tennis and badminton.

“Practicing Ba Duan Jin is a holistic experience that nurtures both body and mind. It is not only an ancient Chinese qigong exercise but also a path of spiritual cultivation. As I practiced, I gradually came to appreciate the harmonious unity of movement and breath; each posture demands precision and slowness, allowing me to find a sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life,” shared Wu Wenhui from the Marketing Department.

After an hour of guided practice, some employees who spend long hours at their desks found that the exercises helped alleviate the adverse effects of prolonged sedentary behavior, such as neck pain and stiffness in the lower back. Throughout this process, everyone gained both health and happiness, while also strengthening their sense of identity with and pride in China’s fine cultural heritage.