Hi, new here, long time practitioner and teacher

[Qigong18.com]

Hi everyone.

Happy to join the forum. Been reading some discussion from time to time over the years but finally decided to join. I have been studying Daoism, Chinese Medicine and Qigong since 1997 and worked professionally as a teacher and clinician since 2001.

The main system I focus and teach is the Taiji Qigong Shibashi that I learned privately from Professor Lin Housheng (creator of the system) since 2011.
I'm looking forward to learn and share with the community.

[Cobie]

Impressive credentials. Welcome to the forum. 

[Thrice Daily]

On 17/08/2024 at 9:55 PM, Qigong18.com said:

Hi everyone.

Happy to join the forum. Been reading some discussion from time to time over the years but finally decided to join. I have been studying Daoism, Chinese Medicine and Qigong since 1997 and worked professionally as a teacher and clinician since 2001.

The main system I focus and teach is the Taiji Qigong Shibashi that I learned privately from Professor Lin Housheng (creator of the system) since 2011.
I'm looking forward to learn and share with the community.

Hi, I practiced Shibashi (first form) for years on and off since 2013
 

It is still my go to qigong exercise for no nonsense benefits, great for everyday life tasks.
 

Can you suggest any reading materials for it at all? 
 

Thanks and nice to see you on here.

[Qigong18.com]

On 2024-09-19 at 5:48 AM, Thrice Daily said:

Can you suggest any reading materials for it at all? 

Unfortunately, there is not translation of Lin Housheng's books in English specific about Taiji Qigong Shibashi. His only book that was translated in English was 300 Questions on Qigong Exercises but it is becoming impossible to find at a reasonable price. Some are trying to sell it at 300-400$. It is one of the best Qigong book out there but I would not pay that much for it. And no other books on the market about Shibashi has correct informations since the author don't have any links to Prof. Lin. Some have good background in other system and filled in the blanks in their Shibashi understanding with other knowledge but that usually results on creating different effects and changing how the movements are done.

A simple example of that is #10 Horse Stance Cloud Hands (马步云手 Mǎ Bù Yún Shǒu). Cloud Hands has many variations in Taiji, almost as many as there are teachers. Each way has its objective and applications. In Taiji Qigong Shibashi it is used to link Jing and Shen or create a mind-body connection. Lower hand filling up the Lower Dantian during the rotation of the waist, compressing the Jing and Yuan Qi toward the spine, while the upper hand support the expansion of the Shen from the Upper DanTian and restrict it slightly. At the end of the rotation the change in hands placement circulate the Jing upward and the Shen downward. This support the "Jing becomes Qi, Qi becomes Shen" concept. The descending of the Shen follow the notion that She support/nourish the acquired Jing. So we are making sure the body and mind are on the same page and get the positive mindset to improve epigenetic expression. Of course, this is not what happen to a beginner who is simply mimicking the movement. It will require practice time to develop the deeper skills to reach such a level of cultivation. This is an example of the many layers hidden into the system of Taiji Qigong Shibashi. So practicing cloud hands with the upper hand remaining at shoulder height will not yield the effect on the Shen required to get the cultivation part mentioned above.

 

Another common issue is that most people only know about the Yang style Taiji influence but are usually uninformed about the Shaolin Neijin Qigong "half" of the system. While the outer form take a lot of influence from Yang style Taiji, The true Qigong engine comes from the Shaolin Neijin system which is the system Prof. Lin studied from age 15 and that he credit for developing his Qi for Qi emission.

I'm currently working with a writer on my first book about Taiji Qigong Shibashi. The primary focus is using set 1 to share Prof. Lin's teaching and help practitioner better understand the system he created vs just copying the external choreography. It will probably take another year before it is ready. The first draft is done and we are around 300 pages but still need to add some informations and clarify details. There will be details for beginners but also for intermediate and advanced practitioners.

If you want to chat about Shibashi, I'm happy to meet over zoom. I can also send you a simple translation from Prof. Lin's book about the basic details for each movements from set 1 regarding posture/movement, Qi/Health benefits, and meditative imagery (Jing/Qi/Shen)