The first Taiji Qigong Shibashi series of movements of was created in Shanghai in 1979, by professor Lin Housheng. They consist in a Qigong technique that regulates and increases Qi movements in all the body. The 18 movements (Shi-ba-shi in Chinese) were inspired by Taiji Quan movements.
Taiji Qigong Shibashi is officially included in the curriculum of Traditional Chinese Medicine universities in China. It is also promoted as health exercise by the Indonesian, Malaysian, Singapore and Thailand governments. In 1991, the United Nations Development Programs Department issued a recommendation for the promotion of Taiji Qigong Shibashi.
Professor Lin Housheng nominated François Caron as his official representative for Canada and France. He tasked him to teach and train teachers for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 8th (Jing Hua Ban/Elite) series of Taiji Qigong Shibashi.
Taiji Qigong Shibashi principles
Taiji Qigong Shibashi is based on simple principles:
❍ the movement are slow and fluid;
❍ breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth;
❍ the breathing is in synch with the movements;
❍ the body movements guide the location of the energy;
❍ the mind is concentrating on the movement and/or on the image inspired by the name of the movement;
❍ the body movement directs the Qi, the breathing regulates it, the mind observes it.
Movements
Below are 3 examples from the 1st and 2nd series of movements. They describe the Qi motion, synchronized with the breathing, the benefits for the organs and one therapeutic application.
1st set, first movement: "Commencing form and regulating breathing"
❍ the arms moves up and down;
❍ the Qi raises during the inhalation and lowers during the exhalation;
❍ the mind focuses on the movement of the body.
"This up and down motion pushes Zhen Qi (true energy), unblocks the meridians, stimulates blood and Qi flow in all the body, regulates the Heart and Liver energy, ..."
The 18 Movements of Taiji Qigong - Lin Housheng
1st set, third movement: "Painting a Rainbow"
❍ the hands push the energy to the left during the inhale, and to the right at the exhale;
❍ the mind focuses on the image or painting a rainbow above the head, with the hands.
This movement "...relieves back problems, reduces fat around the waist".
The 18 Movements of Taiji Qigong - Lin Housheng
2nd set, third movement: "Breeze blowing at the willow tree"
❍ the body weight is on the back leg during inhalation, then on the front leg during exhalation;
❍ the mind focuses on the image of the wind blowing through the branches and leaves of a willow tree.
This movement "...relieves back problems, reduces fat around the waist".
The 18 Movements of Taiji Qigong - Lin Housheng
Among these 3 examples, 2 of them restore the Kidney energy, by regulating it through the different organs. In Taiji Qigong Shibashi, the energy of all the organs and viscera is stimulated, particularly the Kidney energy which is at the root of all other organs.
Therapeutic Taiji Qigong Shibashi
The 4th series of Taiji Qigong Shibashi constitutes a therapeutic combination of movements from series 1, 2 and 3. They are used at the Shanghai Hospital and have shown to be very efficient to regulate the energy of patients suffering from:
❍ myopia, neurasthenia,
❍ hypertension, cardiac disease,
❍ tuberculosis, asthma,
❍ diabetes, ulcer and chronicle stomach disease, obesity, hepatitis,
❍ nephritis, sexual trouble,
❍ frozen shoulder, arthritis, back pain and lumbar disc herniation, physical trauma,
❍ cancer.
Taiji Qigong Shibashi is a powerful complement to Traditional Chinese Medicine and western medical treatments.
To learn more about our Therapeutic Qigong Training.. (French document only)
The therapeutic use of Taiji Qigong Shibashi is exclusively performed under the supervision of a licensed therapist in accordance with the laws and regulations in effect in each country.