The 8 Pieces of Brocade of Shaolin Cosmos Qi Gong

November 10, 2025

It is perhaps the most well-known collection of Qi Gong exercises: Baduanjin, also called “the 8 Pieces of Brocade”.

To underline their value, they were named after a precious silk fabric, brocade, which in ancient times could only be afforded at court.

As part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, they have always been used therapeutically and for health prevention.

Their origin is not entirely clear. Sometimes they are attributed to Taoist practice, sometimes to Buddhist practice. What is certain is that they were already taught 1,500 years ago in the Shaolin Monastery by Bodhidharma, as part of the “18 Lohan Hands”.

Our Grandmaster, Wong Kiew Kit, who has collected classical records on Qi Gong and martial arts since his youth, found numerous transmissions from the Shaolin Temple that mentioned and illustrated this wonderful form of practice for body, mind and spirit.

Differences and Similarities

Over the centuries, countless variations in the execution of the techniques have developed.

Sometimes the hands are stretched upwards when “Lifting the Sky”, sometimes merely raised. Sometimes the fingers are interlocked, sometimes the hands are simply held side by side. Sometimes one stands firmly on the ground, elsewhere one rises onto the tiptoes.

The general arrangement of the picturesquely named exercises, such as “Shooting Arrows” and “Plucking Stars”, is, however, mostly similar.

Often the eight exercises are practiced in a sequence, whether with few or many repetitions, including clearly defined transitions.

In most styles this makes good sense. Each of the exercises addresses different body regions, meridians and organ systems. If you practise all eight, then hopefully what you need most at that moment will also be included.

In our school it is different. We simply pick out one, two or three exercises and practise them in any order without any transitions. Simplicity takes centre stage.

Because far more important than the number of exercises – and even their exact execution – is learning and integrating the inner aspects of the practice.

Only then does Qi Gong become a moving meditation and an effective training of energy flow.

Bring Your Qi Gong to Life!

Most of the time the techniques are performed beautifully, but inwardly very little happens, if anything at all. I don’t say this to put others down, but because I have been told so countless times when students came out of their first session with us full of enthusiasm, or after they had completed their first online course.

With us you have the opportunity to practice Qi Gong as a truly holistic art, which with little effort has a positive effect on body, energy, mind and spirit.

By regularly practicing our 15-minute session, you will steadily become better at

• relaxing yourself
• generating your energy flow
• releasing blockages and negative emotions
• clearing your mind of thoughts

Only once you have acquired these fundamental skills can you experience the many benefits of Qi Gong. Without them, these fantastic exercises remain nothing more than gentle gymnastics.

Because they are so important, it is always my concern to impart these essential skills right from the beginning, e.g. in my online course “The Essence of Qi Gong” and of course also in my courses and seminars on site in Vienna or via livestream.

The exercises become a means to an end. They are very pleasant to perform, but once they have set the energy flowing, we let the Qi flow freely and act to our best advantage.

As soon as you know what matters, have learned the necessary skills and can therefore carry out effective energy practice, you can move on to the other exercises of the 8 Pieces of Brocade (two of them are already included in the foundation course).

For good reason, these Qi Gong exercises are still practiced even after many centuries and remain very popular. So if you are looking for a soothing, relaxing and refreshing form of practice, without notable strain or exertion, then this is certainly the right choice.

And if you would like to acquire a larger repertoire straight away, the “18 Lohan Hands” – including the 8 Brocades – are waiting for you. 😊

Special Benefits of the 8 Pieces of Brocade

Here is an overview of the wonderful exercises and the particular benefits of each.

Lifting the Sky

• All 12 Primary Meridians
• Good posture
• Triple Warmer
• General Health
• First aid for (small) injuries

Shooting Arrows

• Heart
• Lungs, Respiratory problems
• Depression
• Confidence
• Memory

Plucking Stars

• Digestion
• Vitality and Longevity
• Pain or injuries at the arms or hands

Turning Head (or Turning the Cosmos)

• Headache and Migraine
• Nervous System
• Neck and Spine

Punching with Eyes wide open

• Heart
• Internal Force
• Negative emotions
• Stress and Tension

Merry-go-Round (or Big Turning of the Cosmos)

• Digestion
• Re-vitalizing
• Spine and Back

Carrying the Moon

• “Fountain of Youth”
• Immune System
• Spine and Back

Nourishing Kidneys

• (Sexual) Vitality
• Back
• Confidence and Determination

Here's how you can learn the 8 Pieces of Brocade:

If you haven't trained with us before, you can learn three of these wonderful exercises and the essential skills to make them come alive in our fundamental course ”The Essence of Qi Gong“:

Start your journey now!

If you're already a member at the Shaolin Treasure House or our worldwide Shaolin Wahnam Institute you can find all the details here:

8 Pieces of Brocade Online Course