This eight hour, 30 video course is devoted to learning one of the most famous and ancient qigong forms in depth. Dating back close to one thousand years, the baduanjin form translated as the ’eight pieces of silken brocade’ or the ’eight silken movements’ is a profound tool to cultivate the three treasure of body, breath and mind. Working with the body, we develop strength, balance, mobility, awareness, and harmonious integration of the joints and soft tissue. Working with the breath, we develop lower abdominal breathing also known as diaphragmatic breathing or dantian breathing. This shifts us into a deep parasympathetic state nourishing and repairing the mind and body and helping us to stay calm and centred whatever life throws our way. Working with the mind, we fill the body and breath with awareness, learning to dwell in the present moment and gain all the known physical, mental and emotional advantages of meditation. Together, the cultivation of body, breath and mind helps build good health, wellbeing, resilience and connection to the what is known in Chinese philosophy as the Dao the wellspring of everything in the universe. The course begins with two introductory practices. The first is designed to mobilise the joints of the body. The second begins with an investigation of the core qigong standing practice. We adopt an open and spacious structure - rooting into Earth and lengthening into Heaven while practising release and softness. This preparatory video then offers a three-part neigong practice. Neigong can be translated as ‘inner skill’. By lengthening and releasing the body as a single, interconnected elastic unit made up of fascia and a web of acupuncture channels, by breathing deep into the lower belly (dantian), and by calming the use brain and heart, we enter the qigong state where body, breath and mind are wrapped up together into an indissoluble whole. Subsequent videos teach each of the eight movements of the baduanjin in great detail with more neigong practices - in this case tailored to the specific movement. The next video presents the whole form with minimal voiceover, and there follow a whole series of videos on different aspects of qigong practice.
