Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi Breathing Exercise 1st Set
What is Qigong ( Chi- gong )
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Basic concepts
Photo taken at Pentillie Castle and Estate
In Chinese thought, Qi, or Chi, is the fundamental life energy of the universe. It is invisible but present in air, water, food and sunlight. In the body, Qi is the unseen vital force that sustains life. We are all born with inherited amounts of Qi, and we also get acquired Qi from the food we eat and the air we breathe. In qigong, the breath is believed to account for the largest quantity of acquired Qi, because the body uses air more than any other substance. The balance of our physical, mental, and emotional levels also affect Qi levels in the body.
Qi travels through the body along channels called meridians. There are 12 main meridians, corresponding to the 12 principal organs as defined by the traditional Chinese system: the lung, large intestines, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, urinary bladder, kidney, liver, gallbladder, pericardium, and the "triple warmer," which represents the entire torso region. Each organ has qi associated with it, and each organ interacts with particular emotions on the mental level. Qigong techniques are designed to improve the balance and flow of energy throughout the meridians, and to increase the overall quantity and volume of qi. In qigong philosophy, mind and body are not separated as they often are in Western medicine. In qigong, the mind is present in all parts of the body, and the mind can be used to move qi throughout the body.
Yin and yang are also important concepts in qigong. The universe and the body can be described by these two separate but complementary principles, which are always interacting, opposing, and influencing each other. One goal of qigong is to balance yin and yang within the body. Strong movements or techniques are balanced by soft ones, leftward movements by rightward, internal techniques by external ones, and so on.
Qi travels through the body along channels called meridians. There are 12 main meridians, corresponding to the 12 principal organs as defined by the traditional Chinese system: the lung, large intestines, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, urinary bladder, kidney, liver, gallbladder, pericardium, and the "triple warmer," which represents the entire torso region. Each organ has qi associated with it, and each organ interacts with particular emotions on the mental level. Qigong techniques are designed to improve the balance and flow of energy throughout the meridians, and to increase the overall quantity and volume of qi. In qigong philosophy, mind and body are not separated as they often are in Western medicine. In qigong, the mind is present in all parts of the body, and the mind can be used to move qi throughout the body.
Yin and yang are also important concepts in qigong. The universe and the body can be described by these two separate but complementary principles, which are always interacting, opposing, and influencing each other. One goal of qigong is to balance yin and yang within the body. Strong movements or techniques are balanced by soft ones, leftward movements by rightward, internal techniques by external ones, and so on.
There are many definitions of Qigong but they all agree that: any practice involving the mind, body and breathing which can reinforce and balance life energy could be defined as Qigong. Such as, for instance, relaxation, yoga, meditation, Reiki, chanting or breathing techniques. To the Chinese these are all forms of Qigong. This can be said because the regular practice of any of the above has similar results. Yet, some styles of Qigong, rarely or never heard of in the west, are known to bring extraordinary results.
But when we deliberately practice some advanced forms of Qigong we can know for sure that we are rebalancing our energies in a systematic way. And if we practice regularly and persistently , day after day, we will get results, great results and more. The regular practice of Qigong, not only maintains health, but its good effects flow on into what ever we do, increasing productivity and levels of accomplishment.
" Where the Qi goes the blood flows "
But when we deliberately practice some advanced forms of Qigong we can know for sure that we are rebalancing our energies in a systematic way. And if we practice regularly and persistently , day after day, we will get results, great results and more. The regular practice of Qigong, not only maintains health, but its good effects flow on into what ever we do, increasing productivity and levels of accomplishment.
" Where the Qi goes the blood flows "
British Health Qigong Association
Forum and Seminar Sept. 2010
Qigong Masters from China and
Masters Faye & Tary Yip.
The beauty of Qigong is that there are styles to suit all ages, and all states of health, even people who are to weak to get out of bed or sit up. As long as a person can follow directions mentally they can do Qigong and get results. What is important to understand is that Qigong can bring great and unexpected results, but not always quickly. Qigong usually works slowly and steadily despite the fact that many people can have major results.
"To regain your health, doing Qigong, is only the beginning of what its practice can do and no one is ever to old to start."
"To regain your health, doing Qigong, is only the beginning of what its practice can do and no one is ever to old to start."
Is Tai Chi (Taijiquan) a form of Qigong?
Tai Chi Chuan commonly known as Tai chi is an internal martial art. However, the majority of Tai Chi practitioners just treat it as a slow dance. Without a solid Qigong foundation, it is just a slow and gentle exercise. At best, you just feel more relaxed and flexible by practicing it that way. Proper breathing and meditative techniques as well as the use of `Qi` are the keys to maximize the health benefits of Tai Chi.
People generally experience the health benefits when practicing Qigong faster than when they practice Tai Chi. Even the Worlds famous Tai chi grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang recommends that people practice Qigong instead of Tai Chi to gain health benefits if time is an issue. However, practicing Tai Chi and Qigong at the same time is most beneficial.
Introduction to Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi
Whether you call it Taiji Chi Kung Shibashi (shibashi means 18 movements in Chinese). Taiji Qigong in 18 movements or eighteen forms Tai Chi Chi Kung, it is one of the most popular Qigong in the world.
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi was developed by Professor Lin Hou-Sheng in 1979. Professor Lin is a renowned Qigong Master, scientist and Master Healer. His remarkable credentials include of the College of Chinese Medicine in Shanghai, Director of Qigong Research Institute in China and Honorary President of the International Society of Natural cures.
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi is a Qigong which based on the philosophy of Tai Chi and extracts some of the best movements from the Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. It places emphasis on synchronizing the 18 movements with proper breathing techniques. It is a gentle, beautiful and flowing Qigong exercise routine that is both a joy to do and deeply relaxing.
Tai Chi Shibashi Qigong is designed to improve the general health and wellbeing of the practitioner. The gentle rocking motions and stretching movements improves circulation and digestion. The chest exercises and controlled breathing is good for lung conditions and asthma. And the overall effect of the exercise is to reduce mental stress and physical tension carried in the muscles of the body. This Qigong is very effective and easy to learn. It is practiced around the world by millions of people, and is considered a national health exercise in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Benefits of Each Movement
Countryside - Saltash.
The benefits associated with each individual movement in the first and second set of Qigong Shibashi. Initial response to them was not to relate specific benefits to individual movements. Students obtain optimal benefits when they focus on practicing Shibashi as a whole as opposed to thinking about each movement individually.
This information is based on the translation of Professor Lin`s book Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. While Shibashi does bring with it numerous health benefits, it is not a replacement for any of the treatments prescribed by your medical doctor.
1. Improves conditions related to the heart and liver and high blood pressure.
2. Improves conditions related to the heart, lungs and nervous system.
3. Relieves back pain and decreases the fat around waist.
4. Relieves shoulder pain and boost stamina.
5. Relieves shoulder, elbow and wrist pain and improves conditions related to the lungs.
6. Helps the digestive system and increases mental clarity.
7. Improves conditions related to the kidney and increases spiritual energy.
8. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the stomach and spleen and increases weight loss.
9. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the stomaspleen, strenghtens waist and boost stamina.
10. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the nervous system and increases spiritual energy.
11. Improves conditions related to the kidney and stomach, increases weight loss and relieves waist and leg pain. 12. Improves conditions related to the spleen, liver and lungs and decreases the instances and severity of insomnia.
13. Improves conditions related to the heart, liver, lungs and nervous system.
14. Increases lung capacity and improves conditions related to the lungs, nervous system and
decreases the instances and severity of insomnia.
15. Relieves anxiety and headaches.
16. Promotes blood circulation, boost stamina, increases weight loss, and relieves waist and leg pain.
17. Improves body coordination, decreases the instances and severity of insomnia and fatigue.
18. Inproves conditions related to the heart, stomach, high blood pressure and calms the mind.
This information is based on the translation of Professor Lin`s book Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. While Shibashi does bring with it numerous health benefits, it is not a replacement for any of the treatments prescribed by your medical doctor.
1. Improves conditions related to the heart and liver and high blood pressure.
2. Improves conditions related to the heart, lungs and nervous system.
3. Relieves back pain and decreases the fat around waist.
4. Relieves shoulder pain and boost stamina.
5. Relieves shoulder, elbow and wrist pain and improves conditions related to the lungs.
6. Helps the digestive system and increases mental clarity.
7. Improves conditions related to the kidney and increases spiritual energy.
8. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the stomach and spleen and increases weight loss.
9. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the stomaspleen, strenghtens waist and boost stamina.
10. Helps digestion, improves conditions related to the nervous system and increases spiritual energy.
11. Improves conditions related to the kidney and stomach, increases weight loss and relieves waist and leg pain. 12. Improves conditions related to the spleen, liver and lungs and decreases the instances and severity of insomnia.
13. Improves conditions related to the heart, liver, lungs and nervous system.
14. Increases lung capacity and improves conditions related to the lungs, nervous system and
decreases the instances and severity of insomnia.
15. Relieves anxiety and headaches.
16. Promotes blood circulation, boost stamina, increases weight loss, and relieves waist and leg pain.
17. Improves body coordination, decreases the instances and severity of insomnia and fatigue.
18. Inproves conditions related to the heart, stomach, high blood pressure and calms the mind.
The benefits of Qigong Shibashi are much more than the above mentioned.
Just remember, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Just remember, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
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