Baduanjin qigong

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