Shibashi Qigong Newsletter - Issue V.2 Spring 2005

Is the theory of qi science or fiction? Some of you have emailed me with excitement proclaiming that you can feel the qi in your palms after practicing Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. Actually, qi can be felt, not only in the palms of your hands, but in every part of your body.  Furthermore, I have some students who can even see the qi coming out from their finger tips with their naked eyes.

Is this phenomena real or a product of one’s imagination?  When you dissect a human being, you are not able to see any qi or meridians (the channels of qi).  But let me ask you a question.  Are you able to see or feel radio waves, microwaves or magnetic fields?  We cannot see or feel them but we know they exist through scientific experiments.  In the past 20 years, numerous experiments have proven the existence and uncovered the properties of qi.

Properties of Qi

The first scientific experiment that investigated the properties of qi was conducted in 1977 in Shanghai, China.  An instrument was placed 1 meter away from Professor Lin Hou-Sheng in an attempt to measure the amount of infrared radiation emitted from his qi.  In just a few minutes, the equipment was able to detect some infrared radiation coming out from Professor Lin’s palms.  The intensity of the radiation gradually increased as he continued to release his qi.  That experiment revealed the first property of qi – a low frequency infrared wave.

In the past few years, a lot of research has been performed to measure qi in terms of infrasonic waves.  Infrasonic waves are sound waves that have a frequency below 20 Hertz (Hz).  The vibrations of these waves are too slow to be heard by the human ear. Every living person emits these waves from the palms of their hands.  The average person emits waves ranging from 8 to 12.5 Hz at an intensity of 40 to 50 decibels (dB)

The intensity of infrasonic waves emitted from the palms of qi gong practitioners and non-qi gong practitioners was compared in one research study.  29 Americans, with no prior qigong training, were chosen for the study.  The average intensity of the group was 47dB.  Qi gong techniques were then taught and prescribed to the group.  After one week of learning and practicing, the average intensity of the group rose to 54dB.  This is an increase of 7 decibels.  This may not seem like a lot but every change in one unit is equivalent to a tenfold increase in intensity since intensity is a logarithmic unit.  In other words, the energy emitted by group members was five times that of their energy emission before their initial training.  The Qigong master teaching the techniques to this group had generated waves of 78db, which was 1000 times greater than the average person.

Qi emission involves more than just infrasonic waves and infrared radiation.  Other scientific experiments have revealed the magnetic and penetrating powers of qi.  In fact, qi is so powerful that it can penetrate through concrete walls.  As technology advances, I am sure we will be able to discover more properties of qi.

Feel the Qi

For those who have ordered and watched my Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi Video, you have learnt how to acquire the feeling of qi.  Some may have felt the qi after practicing qi gong for the first time.  Others may need more practice before feeling the qi.  Patience is the key. 

Here are some tips on how you can acquire the feeling of qi faster:  1) Perform Qigong Shibashi twice in a row, 2) Practice qigong at room temperature 23°C (74° F) or higher; 3) Perform the qigong exercise indoors; 4) Practice qigong when there is a full moon. 5) Practice after 11 pm.

For those who have not practiced Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, here is a simple exercise you can try.  Sit comfortably in a relaxed position.  Place your hands close to your navel.  Put one hand on top of the other.  The centers of the palms should be facing and in line with each other.  Your hands should not touch.

Now slowly begin to move your hands in one of two ways. 1) Circle your hands with one hand moving clockwise, and the other hand moving counter-clockwise, or 2) Slowly move them towards and away from each other in a pulsing motion, as if you were clapping in slow motion being careful to ensure that your hands do not touch.  Do this for two or three minutes, keeping your body and mind as relaxed as possible. 

Don’t be disappointed if you do not feel anything.  It usually takes a few tries for you to feel the qi.  You can also follow the tips I mentioned above.  Everyone has a different sensitivity towards qi.  I have a student who took more than a year to feel the sensation of qi. 

The feeling of qi is also different to everybody.  However, the majority of people describe the qi that they feel between their hands as two magnets attracting or repelling each other. 

Seeing Qi

As I mentioned previously, some people can even see qi with their naked eyes.  To try to see qi, go to a dark room and light a candle and put it behind you.  Then place your hands above some black colored objects.  Relax your whole body and most importantly you mind and fingers.  Then slowly, you should be able to see the qi coming out from your fingertips.  It should look like a very dim white semi-transparent light beam.  For normal people, the light beams are about one inch long.  It may be longer for those who practice qigong on a regular basis. 

I have a gifted student who can see qi even in daylight.  Furthermore, he can see the different colors of qi, not just the white color that we normally see.   However, this is a very special case.  Even my sifu and I are unable to see the different colors of qi.

In the next newsletter, I will answer some of the frequently asked questions about Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi.  Some questions include why we should only step forward with our left leg but not the right one in the 11th -13th movements.   What is the ideal speed of this qigong?  Can we do reverse breathing instead of the normal abdominal breathing?  I will also talk about the common mistakes made by students when they practice this qigong.

Testimonial Sharing

“I am just emailing you to let you know I have been praticing your QIGONG program since tuesday, and I am totally amazed at how powerful this simple to follow program is.

I have been practicing QIGONG now for 12 months and I have tried various forms of this ancient discipline, some I have found to be beneficial to my well being, and others just to hard and cumbersome to perform, and some very expensive as well.

The amazing thing I have found is I don't need a lot of space to perform the movements, as I practice in a room where space is limited.

But I have to say the amount of chi I am working up in my practice overwhelms me at times. The most significant benefit I have noticed is the constant magnetic feeling between my fingers and in the palms of my hands its just oozing out of my being almost all day long. When I concentrate on my hands and slowly move my hands in a sweeping movement the chi is not only flowing there but right up my spinal cord also.

I practice for 45 minutes in the morning time @ 5am, followed by 30 mins meditation. Even my meditation is more peaceful and so relaxed, and I have been meditatng for 10 years now.”  From Martin Kirwan of Drogheda, Ireland on January 14, 2005