Moo Pahl Dan Kuhm

Martial 8 Level Silk - 八段錦

Moo Pahl Dan Kuhm is a series of 8 Nae Gong (internal) exercises. There are both standing and seated versions that promote internal health. The most common set is the standing series designed to stretch the musculo-skeleton system as well as improve the health of the major organs. Both standing and seated exercises can be categorized as Ki Gong because they use Ki, or breath in conjunction with body movement to provide health benefits to the practitioner.

The term “Moo Pahl Dan Kuhm” is a term coined by the Moo Duk Kwan organization, founded by the late Grandmaster Hwang Kee, a martial arts prodigy from Korea that created the world renowned style known as Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) Moo Duk Kwan. The first word “Moo” means martial, though “Moo Pahl Dan Kuhm” exercises’ primary focus is on improving health rather than a martial focus. Pahl Dan Kuhm, is the Korean pronunciation of the Chinese characters for Ba Duan Jin. Both translate to Eight Pieces of Martial Brocade. A brocade is a piece of silk-like material used for writing. The term “brocade” signifies holding great value. These are very old exercises that date back as far as the Song Dynasty in China. The earliest known record of these exercises are In the Ten Compilations on Cultivating Perfection.

You will find many variations of these exercises among martial art styles and schools. Some practice a set of 12 or more postures such as the Ship E Dan Kuhm. In this course you learn two variations. The first, titled "Moo Pahl Dan Kuhm" is the version taught in the Moo Duk Kwan school of martial arts. The second version, titled "Ba Duan Jin" is the direct translation from the Ten Compilations on Cultivating Perfection as interpreted from the author.