On Sunday, 8 November 2026, Wulong Tai Chi Kung Fu welcomed students for a special Health Qigong workshop exploring the traditional seated practice of Shi Er Duan Jin – the Twelve-Section Brocade.
Led by Professor Lily Sun, the afternoon offered participants a wonderful opportunity to discover a different dimension of Qigong: one in which gentle movement, controlled breathing, self-massage and meditation come together to nurture the body, qi and spirit.
“The workshop was a wonderful success, and I was delighted to see student’s enthusiasm and commitment - especially new participants and those from interstate - to learning Shi Er Duan Jin.
Learning is a valuable and lifelong journey, and it is important to understand not only how to perform each movement, but also its purpose, function and contribution to our health” said Professor Lily.
Professor Lily introduced us to this ancient practice for our modern life. The name Shi Er Duan Jin first appeared during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty (1736–1796). Drawing on the wisdom of traditional Chinese health-preserving exercises, the modern health qigong routine incorporates a carefully structured series of movements designed to exercise the whole body while cultivating mental calmness.
Unlike many traditional qigong routines that are performed standing, Shi Er Duan Jin is practised in a seated position, either on the floor or on a chair. This makes it a practice for life - particularly valuable practice for people of different ages and physical abilities, including those whose mobility, injury or circumstances may make standing exercise difficult. Its an important tool we can use through life’s ups and downs.
One of the fascinating aspects of Shi Er Duan Jin is the way it combines physical conditioning with internal health cultivation. Professor Lily guided our movements to incorporate gentle tapping, rubbing and massage, at other times to focus on coordinated arm movements, spinal flexibility and abdominal breathing. And importantly, the underlying principle is that movements should be soft, slow, even and continuous.
Professor Lily emphasised the powerful benefits of Shi Er Duan Jin.
Really impressive exercise, stretching and meditation helps your body be aware of posture, breathing and the relationship between physical movement and mental relaxation. The movements of head, neck, shoulders, back, waist, arms, legs, chest and abdomen one after another regulates the breath, quiets the mind, and improves focus.
“Throughout the workshop, we explored each movement in detail, to understand the principles behind the practice, and how the movements work together to nurture the body, qi and spirit. I hope everyone enjoyed the experience and will continue learning, practising and discovering the many dimensions of Shi Er Duan Jin health qigong.” said Professor Lily.
We extend our sincere thanks to Professor Lily Sun for sharing her knowledge and expertise in this specialised health qigong practice. Thank you to everyone who joined the workshop and contributed to another wonderful Wulong learning experience.
As always, the opportunity to learn directly from an expert of Professor Lily’s standing provides workshop participants with valuable insight not just how to perform the movements, but also the principles and intentions that make each exercise meaningful.
“At Wulong, we believe that learning is a lifelong journey. Whether through Tai Chi, Qigong or Wushu, every opportunity to deepen our understanding is another step towards a healthier, more balanced life. Keep practising, keep learning and enjoy a healthy life!”
We hope participants will continue to explore Shi Er Duan Jin in their own time, gradually developing confidence and familiarity with the routine and discovering the benefits of incorporating this gentle practice into everyday life.
A photo gallery from the day is available — please enjoy images of the day.
