“Holding up the sky with both hands to regulate the Sanjiao (triple burner), lifting up and inhaling…” Along with the melodious sound of guzheng (Chinese zither), Darlen and her teacher are practicing the traditional Chinese health-preserving exercise—Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade). Their movements are gentle and continuous, with each posture well-controlled and balanced, perfectly incorporating Baduanjin’s essence of “regulating the body”, “regulating the breath”, and “regulating the mind” into every movement.
Darlen comes from Thailand. When talking about her reasons for studying traditional Chinese medicine, she said, “Traditional Chinese medicine is very popular in Thailand. My mother once took traditional Chinese medicine to regulate her health, which achieved remarkable results. Our families also regularly follow medicinal diets and drink Chinese medicinal teas. Therefore, when I entered university, I chose to major in traditional Chinese medicine. And later, I pursued my graduate studies at the prestigious Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
Three years ago, Darlen began learning Baduanjin under the guidance of Chinese teachers at her school. “In addition to specialized courses, our school offers many programs featuring traditional Chinese culture for international students, and Baduanjin is one of them. Baduanjin is not only simple and easy to learn, but also strengthens the body, so I stick with it,” Darlen said. “Actually, the process of learning Baduanjin is also a process of reshaping my lifestyle. Since practicing it, I have gradually formed the habit of ‘waking up early and going to bed early’. This is a kind of ‘exercising prescription’ to ‘prevent diseases’, which has benefited me a lot.”
After four months of Baduanjin classes, Darlen gradually mastered the essentials of the entire set of movements. “Baduanjin is a fitness method that combines physical activity with respiratory exercise. Each movement has a specific focus, like a specialized ‘medicine’. Generally speaking, Baduanjin exercises all parts of the body, including the five sense organs, head, neck, trunk, limbs, waist, and abdomen. Practicing the entire set of movements brings a sense of relaxation from inside out,” Darlen spoke confidently.
“In addition to treating illnesses and saving lives, traditional Chinese medicine also places great emphasis on the physical and mental well-being of patients.” Darlen was surprised to find that the hospital where she interned regularly conducted Baduanjin training classes to help patients enhance their constitution and relieve stress. “Doctors there would patiently teach patients to perform some simple Baduanjin movements, and the medical staff would also share their practice experiences with the patients, together feeling the physical and mental pleasure brought by Baduanjin.”
“Modern people often spend long hours hunching over desks or looking down at their phones, which can easily lead to shoulder and neck pain. ‘Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Eagle’ and ‘Looking Backwards to Relieve the Five Fatigues and Seven Injuries’ in Baduanjin can help alleviate these discomforts.” Nowadays, Darlen has become a “spokesperson” for Baduanjin, and her families in Thailand also join her in practicing it every day through video calls.
“Traditional Chinese culture is truly amazing. It is a vital force, invisible but omnipresent. I am willing to promote Baduanjin to more people, so that everyone can experience this ancient and magical fitness method and enjoy a better life,” said Darlen.
