Ba Duan Jin (eight excellent movements) emerged before the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD) and gradually was perfected during the periods of the Ming (1368 - 1644 AD) and Qing (1644 - 1911 AD) dynasties. Being a traditional health-promoting exercise jointly developed by the masters of regimen and practitioners of past dynasties, Ba Duan Jin, the treasure of the Chinese regimen culture has great popularity because its movements are simple and easy to learn and bring about good results toward enhancing health. Its new adaptation embodies the essences of different schools yet preserves traditional movements and style. Based on modern athletic science and physiology, the order of the movements has been changed and the amount of physical exercise regulated reasonably, so as to make it more suitable, effective and standardized.
(China.org.cn February 14, 2008)
