Franklin Fick - 24 Section Brocade Qigong: Strengthen Body Longevity Method

24 Section Brocade Qigong

Strengthen Body Longevity Method

Translated by Franklin Fick

Shen Long Publishing

shenlongpub.com

Shen Long Publishing

shenlongpub.com

Originally Published 1935

English Translation Copyright 2018 by Franklin Fick

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book, expect for brief review, may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any

means- electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or otherwise without permission in writing from the publisher or author.

Disclaimer

This book is intended for informational purposes only. The author (s), translator (s), and publisher of this book disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, injury, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly from reading and or following the instructions contained herein.

Please consult your physician before starting any exercise program.

Table of Contents

Translators Introduction

This book illustrates a 24 Section Brocade Qigong that was lost in China, but preserved in Japan. To reintroduce the art back into China, the author examined and translated the Japanese text and this set of exercises was published in 1935.

One of the most popular Qigong sets is the 8 Section Brocade Qigong. There are many different versions of this exercise set. I have also seen 6 Section Brocade, 12 Section Brocade, and a version with 32 exercises (which was originally 64 exercises before it was simplified). These sets are usually either Seated Sets or Standing Sets. This 24 Section Brocade contains both seated and standing exercises.

I feel that there is some Japanese influence on how the exercises are presented. Most notably, the seated exercises use the kneeling position, called Seiza in Japan. Although the exercises might not be presented exactly how they would have been practiced in China long ago, I feel practitioners will still find this information useful and interesting in their research.

I also think this book will be interesting to practitioners of Japanese arts who wish to research body training methods and energy training methods. The author of this book claims that these exercises were used by the Japanese Samurai as their body strengthening and longevity method.

"According to the original authors words, after practicing this method for 100 days, it can make the tendons, channels, bones, and muscles of the whole body reach the condition of being solid and strong, the activity of blood circulation increases, and it can make the putrid that is stored inside the body exit completely and all sorts of diseases will not be generated. After practicing for 3 years, your strength will grow by 1000 times. The muscles are strong and solid like iron. No matter where, even using knifes and swords to stab and hack, one can not be hurt."

Introduction

This is a type of Wai Gong (external training). This is the old method of 24 Section Brocade. It came from the Shaolin External Family and later it was copied and passed on to the outside and it was received by the Japanese people. After they organized it and changed it slightly, then it was given to the people. This is the Strengthen the Body Longevity Method of the Samurai.

Actually this method came from our country. Most have forgotten about our ancestors, almost to the point that it is hidden. Never the less, today in our country the true method of this old 24 Section Brocade has been long lost. If you want to seek this true method, but you dont know anyone who know it, there are one or two published versions. Even though they are named 24 Section Brocade, they came from other books, they are used to cheat people to make easy profits, and they are not as organized as the Japanese version of Strengthen the Body Longevity Method.

Japanese people place the highest importance on Chinese martial arts and they collect the ancient Chinese versions especially. Which is why this version of 24 Section Brocade has been passed on in Japan. I received the original Strengthen the Body Longevity Method and studied its theories. It has places you must pay close attention. It is not as simple as average body exercises. I carefully translated the original text and I also drew its movements according to the pictures. When you read it it will be easy to understand completely.

According to the original authors words, after practicing this method for 100 days, it can make the tendons, channels, bones, and muscles of the whole body reach the condition of being solid and strong, the activity of blood circulation increases, and it can make the putrid that is stored inside the body exit completely and all sorts of diseases will not be generated. After practicing for 3 years, your strength will grow by 1000 times. The muscles are strong and solid like iron. No matter where, even using knifes and swords to stab and hack, one can not be hurt. The evidence is seen in many who practice this technique, the greatness of its effects. These are not empty words.

When I was translating and editing, I heard that the 24 Section Brocade has been passed on outside the country and we have not received its true version. That is why, I want to translate everything according to the original text and not mix in my own intention. Also, I do not want to consider myself clever and add and change to this book. (Doing that the result would be) to fool myself and others and to confuse the words and steal the name. As to the effects of this Strengthen the Body Longevity Method, if each sections movement is good or not, I would like to discuss and research with those who want to practice.

Ti Anshi

Section 1

Guiding Up and Down with Lower Abdominal Breathing about 24 times

Picture 1

Preparation

Face forward. Kneel in an upright posture. Connect the two knees and the big toes of the two feet. The fingers of the two hands are crossed and connected below the umbilicus, near the root of the thighs. The two elbows are close to the torso, so that the connected hands form an embracing posture.

Exercise

Close the mouth. Inhale through the nose. At the same time, the two shoulder rise upward. Exhale through the mouth and quietly return to the previous position. When the shoulders go up and down, it counts as 1 time. Repeat for about 20 times. The breathing must not have any sound. See picture 1.

Explanation

The speed of this first movement should be about the same as the breathing, which is about 1 second. It (the movement) must be quick and with force when guiding up and down.

Section 2

Two Hands Embrace the Floating Ribs, Breath Deeply and Move the Shoulders Up and Down about 20 times

Picture 2

Preparation

Kneel the same as in the first exercise. The two palms embrace right below the V shaped bone (V shape of the ribs at the solar plexus). The tip of the fingers insert slightly into the soft part. The thumbs are positioned right below the nipples. Open the two upper arms. If the tendon is hard and you can not insert your fingers, then just point the fingers straight.

Exercise

The breathing is the same as the first exercise. At the same time (as the inhale), the two shoulders rise up together. Then immediately return to the previous position. This counts as 1. Repeat for about 20 times. The speed is the same as the first exercise. The breathing can not have any sound. See picture 2.