The Eight Pieces of Brocade is a set of eight simple exercises that can maintain your health and increase your energy reserves if you are healthy, and speed your recovery if you are ill. Every day millions of Chinese do these gentle stretching and turning movements to loosen up their bodies, improve the circulation of the blood and Chi (internal energy), and strenghten their internal organs.

If you have no inclination to jog, or aren't able to participate in strenuous exercises, The Eight Pieces of Brocade may be for you . You need no equipment and very little space. You don't need a partner or a leader, and you can practice indoors or out.

The Eight Pieces of Brocade is actually two sets of exercises, one done while sitting, ahd the other while standing. The sitting set is a great way to wake yourself up in the morning, and it is especially good for people who are bedridden, and thereofre have sluggish circulation. The stending set is deal for people of all ages, especially those leading sedentary lives.

This manual is designed to complement the videotape: 'Wai Dan Chi Kung-The Eight Pieces of Brocade.' The tape and the manual both contain detailed instructions for practicing the exercise sets, and either one will enable you to teach yourself. In addition, this manual discusses the basic theory and priciples of Chi Kung (internal energy work), which are difficult to cover on the tape.

Contents

Acknowledgements
About the author
Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1 General introduction
Introduction
Defintiton of Chi and Chi Kung
The history of chi Kung
History of the Eight pieces of brocade
Chi Kung Theory and training categories
Chi Kung training
How to use this book
Chapter 2 Chi Kung training theory
Introduction
Three treasures-Jieng, chi, and shen
Chi Kung training theory
Chapter 3 Sitting eight pieces of brocade
Chapter 4 Standing eight pieces of brocade
Chapter 5 Conclusion
Appendix translation fo Chinese terms