Medical disclaimer
This site provides general movement education. It does not diagnose, treat or cure any condition, and nothing on it is a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you have a diagnosed condition, have had recent surgery, or are unsure whether this practice is right for you, ask a clinician before starting.
- What this site is
- General movement education
- What it is not
- Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
- Before you start
- Ask a clinician if you are unsure
- If something hurts
- Stop that movement
- Emergencies
- Contact emergency services, not this site
What this means in practice
The movement instructions on this site describe how the movements are traditionally performed, including the seated versions. They are written for a general reader and cannot account for your individual situation. Nobody has assessed you, looked at your medical history, or checked your joints.
Talk to a clinician first if you
- Have a diagnosed heart, lung or neurological condition
- Have had surgery within the last six months, particularly to the hip, knee, spine or abdomen
- Have osteoporosis, or a history of spinal compression fracture
- Have an uncontrolled or unstable medical condition of any kind
- Are pregnant
- Have recently fallen, or are being investigated for falls or dizziness
- Take medication that affects your blood pressure, balance or heart rate
Stop and seek advice if you experience
- Chest pain, shortness of breath at rest, or an irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness, fainting, or a sudden severe headache
- Sharp joint pain, a joint that catches or locks, or a sudden loss of range
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs
- Any sudden change in vision during a head movement
About the research cited on this site
Where studies are cited, they are described as findings in a study population. They are not presented as evidence that the practice will produce a particular result for you. Exercise research in this area is generally small-scale, often unblinded, and frequently limited to specific populations.
No professional relationship
Reading this site does not create a practitioner–patient relationship of any kind. No content on this site is personalised, and none of it should be relied on in place of an assessment by a qualified professional who knows your situation.
Common questions
Can I use these movements for a diagnosed condition?
Ask a clinician who knows your situation. This site describes movements in general terms and cannot say what is appropriate for an individual.
Is Baduanjin safe?
It is a gentle, low-impact practice with a long history of use by older adults. That is not the same as it being safe for every person, and the cautions listed on each movement page are the ones to read against your own situation.
Should I stop taking medication if this helps?
No. Never change any medication on the basis of anything on this site. Any change to medication is a matter for your prescriber.
What if I feel worse after practising?
Stop and speak to a clinician. Do not try to work through a worsening symptom.
Written by LiHe — practitioner, teacher and consultant in qigong and traditional health practice. Review status and sources are shown below where available.
This is general movement education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat or cure any condition. Read the full disclaimer.
The Chinese names are the traditional names of the movements. They are not medical claims, and this site does not diagnose, treat or cure any condition.
- Last reviewed
- Movement data
- Standing form follows the Chinese Fitness Qigong Association standard routine. The chair versions are this pack's own adaptation, written for a seated reader.. Version v0.5.