Moving_in_Awareness_Eight_Pieces_of_Brocade_2009_George_Draffan.pdf
an excellent introduction to Qi, Qigong, and the Baduanjin.
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 name of the form generally refers to how the eight individual movements of the form characterize and impart a silken quality to the body and its energy. The Baduanjin is primarily designated as a form of medical qigong, meant to improve health 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.
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 name of the form generally refers to how the eight individual movements of the form characterize and impart a silken quality to the body and its energy. The Baduanjin is primarily designated as a form of medical qigong, meant to improve health 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.