18 Shibashi Qigong Movements

by Rick Tousignant, Qigong/Tai Chi Instructor

Join us at Harriet Tubman House on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm for Qigong/Tai Chi, part of USES’ Senior Services program. Shibashi, seen above, was created in 1979 by Professor Lin Hou Sheng who today is revered as one of China’s Living Treasures. It is a series of 18 flowing, gentle movements that coordinate breathing and focused attention with beautiful imagery.

Shibashi is designed to improve the general health and wellbeing of the practitioner. The gentle rocking motions and stretching movements improve circulation and digestion. The chest exercises and controlled breathing are good for lung conditions and asthma.

The overall effect of the exercise is to reduce mental stress and physical tension carried in the muscles of the body. It is practiced by millions of people around the world and is considered a national health exercise in Malaysia and Indonesia.

A number of the hand movements in this Shibashi Qigong form are similar to those used in Yang style Taijiquan, and many movements have names commonly found in Taijiquan hand and sword forms.

Watch the video above to learn the series or follow along when you want to perform it at home. To register, call Heidy Viarruel at (617) 375-8114 or email her at hviarruel@uses.org. A $15 donation for the entire semester is requested, however, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.