Description

Deeper into the Shibashi

• Raising the Shen and sinking the Qi: How and when.
• The Commencement: To increase awareness of the sinking through KD 1 and raising through the 100 Meetings.
• The Commencement: Locating the start and end of Kidney meridian.
• The Commencement: Locating the start and end of Bladder meridian.
• Filling any blank sections in the awareness of the meridians.
• The Bubbling Spring (KD1): “Disconnecting” and “reconnecting”.
• Holding a Ball in Front of the Shoulder.
• Waving Hands Like Clouds: Focus on sinking the Qi and Raising the Shen.

These recordings, from the Shibashi Plus classes are now available as an added asset to our live classes and the on demand  course. These classes explore the Shibashi at a deeper level, using variations to work with different meridians within the one exercise, and comparing these exercises with other Qigong that focus on the same meridians.

These classes are not really suitable for beginners. If you wish to learn the Shibashi please see our on-demand Taiji Shibashi course or the archived Shibashi classes.

The content that is listed for each lesson only overs the exercises practiced during the lesson. It does not include all of the advice and guidance that is given.

How do the Shibashi affect health?

They act in three different, yet complimentary ways. In no particular order:

• Physiologically, they act like slow aerobics, stretching and strengthening. With the slow, regular, movement, they produce a very effective and efficient pumping mechanism for the lymphatic system, clearing toxins from the body on a daily basis. When practiced slowly, with regular/relaxed breathing, they become a hybrid of isotonic (with movement) and isometric (without movement) exercise. By this, I mean that instead of lifting weights with a fast, pumping, action, the slow movement is like holding an isometric pose, then moving slightly and holding it again. Even though there are no weights involved, the muscles are being exercised and toned. The stances also help develop better balance and posture. With better posture there is less strain on the spine and, therefore, the rest of the body.
• Psychologically, the feedback loop that we use while practicing using slow/relaxed breathing starts to calm us down, starting to relax the body, then the mind. This then leads to a further relaxation of the body…..then mind, etc. This leads to a slowing of the respiration and heart-rate. As this natural feedback system continues, the brainwaves of the practitioner change from Beta (our normal day to day pattern) to Alpha (relaxed, semi trance-like but fully aware).
• With regard to Qi, each posture, or exercise, has a Primary Element/quality that it acts on, promoting the flow of Qi and clearing blockages, leading to better health and wellbeing. Although rapid changes can occur, the norm is that these health-giving changes in the Qi occur over time. With this in mind it can be seen that, in general, qigong is more often used to treat chronic, rather than acute, ailments. Better still, qigong is used in a pro-active manner to maintain our health and wellbeing.