Baduanjin qigong

Baduanjin qigong
A Qing-dynasty manual of qigong, illustrating the seated form of Separate Heaven and Earth
Traditional Chinese	八段錦氣功
Simplified Chinese	八段锦气功
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Bāduànjǐn

The Baduanjin qigong (八段錦) is one of the most common forms of Chinese qigong used as exercise.^[1] Variously translated as Eight Pieces of Brocade, Eight-Section Brocade, Eight Silken Movements or Eight Silk Weaving, the name of the form generally refers to how the eight individual movements of the form characterize and impart a silken quality (like that of a piece of brocade) to the body and its energy. The Baduanjin is primarily designated as a form of medical qigong, meant to improve health.^[2] This is in contrast to religious or martial forms of qigong. However, this categorization does not preclude the form's use by martial artists as a supplementary exercise, and this practice is frequent.^{[2][page needed]}