Warrior8: Tight hips, sore back, mid‑afternoon stress? Release the tension in 8 minutes a day

Just want to give a shout out to Dave Chesser who has put together the “Warrior 8” program. Warrior 8 is the Ba Duan Jin “8 Piece Brocade” , one of the 4 major Qigongs of China. He spent 20 years living in Taiwan training with many kung fu masters. His program is based on recovery from other training and workouts, but this can be a workout in itself. I’ve learned about 6 different variations of Ba Duan Jin, and as an acupuncturist, I have asked patients to use Ba Duan Jin as a form of mind-body exercise. What makes Dave’s way better than the versions I previously have learned is more emphasis on strong inhale and exhalation, muscle usage, anatomy explanation, and flexion and extension using strength with breath coordination. He explains it in simple terms and the videos are short and to the point.

What I liked most about Warrior8 is how accessible it feels. You don’t have to be flexible or “in shape” to do it. It helped me feel more connected to my body, breathe more fully, and release tension I didn’t even realize I was holding. Even on busy or stressful days, taking a few minutes for Warrior8 made a noticeable difference in how I felt.

Warrior 8 isn't your typical 8 pieces brocade or similar qigong. What separates this from other instructional courses is the detail. Dave has taken all his experience, including 20 years in Taiwan and his vast experience as a physical trainer to create a course that explains how each exercise should be done, and why, to maximise the benefits. No mystical talk, no complicating the issue, just refreshingly honest explanations that you can put to work straight away. These explanations alone are a rare insight into what is often not taught. Truly worth the price!

Warrior8 is Dave's excellent version of baduanjin, based on the best aspects of the multiple versions he learned from top masters in Taiwan. Unlike most versions, when learning Warrior8, I noticed immediately that this is actually a valuable "jibengong" set (although "jibengong" means "basic skill training," these crucial aspects are usually hidden and not taught). For me, the real "gold" of Warrior8 is Dave's clear instructions about how to use the subtle muscles (a part of jibengong) - and these skills will overlay onto and boost almost any kungfu style (from taiji to xingyi to mantis) and many Japanese styles, too. (It's also just good for health as well - as these are muscles that we generally ignore and let atrophy, leading to chronic pain, etc. - thus the health/recovery benefits of the set.) * Dave's done the difficult research and consolidating for us, and he teaches it to us in a very direct, clear way, with all the "how" and "why" upfront. (This is rare in the kungfu world) * I love the way Dave communicates - clear instructions and descriptions, without being overly wordy or long-winded * Dave is also very honest - he is generous with the information (unfortunately rare in the kungfu world) * Objectives and results are clear and quickly verifiable (no need for imagination or several years of training first) * The subtitles are an added boon - because they make searching for specific parts of a video much, much easier After a week of training this course, I gained: * The satisfaction of knowing a new, classical qigong set, with all of the important details * After only a week of training the set (for a few minutes each day), I can already feel some changes in my body's perception, usage, and development * I now know important details that I can apply to other sets/styles that I practice This course is great for beginners as well as advanced folks. With this quality, I look forward to seeing what Dave will teach us next!

Dave Chesser’s Warrior8 Qigong set is a unique opportunity for both beginners and even more experienced practitioners of Qigong to fast track their progress. I am a former D1 NCAA football scholarship recipient, a life-long martial artist, and a life-long strength training hobbyist. I use Qigong for wellness, recovery, and to aid with chronic aches and pains. I am also certified to teach Tai Chi Chuan and other Qigong sets as a member and instructor in the Northern Shaolin/Praying Mantis Kung-Fu Association headed by Sifu Michael Dawson. With Warrior8, Dave offers his students his unique expert background which combines the best of the East-and-West. He is both a proven Professional Trainer and Strength Coach, specializing in Kettlebells, and, he is a Master of several styles of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts (TCMA’s). He spent twenty years studying TCMA’s and Qigong from the best instructors while living in Taiwan, which is evident from the depth of the knowledge displayed in his Warrior8 Qigong instructional videos. His Warrior8 Qigong set is unique in that Dave combines his extensive knowledge of physiology with “insider” secrets from TCMA’s and Qigong. This bridges the gap for Westerners and opens up the secrets of Qigong, which is, unfortunately, often obscured by archaic mysticism in its traditional instructional format. It took me 15 years to unlock the secrets of Qigong. However, with Warrior8, Dave shares insider secrets and gives advice in an understandable language that immediately unlocks Qigong’s benefits for recovery, health, strength and wellness.  I wish that I had the benefit of his instruction when I first started studying Qigong because it would have greatly accelerated my progress. It’s worth the price, and its daily practice will certainly increase your overall wellness. In only ten minutes a day, you, too, can be on the road to good health. I think that you should try it, and, I recommend it without hesitation.