Shibashi Qigong Newsletter - Issue V.6 Spring 2007

Announcement:

1.    There will be a 3-day Shibashi Instructor Training Course, taught by Master Cheung, on April 20th, 2007 @ London (Horsham), U.K.  For details, please visit http://www.taichi18.com/workshop_london.htm

2.    We have manually activated an account for those who registered on the forum between January 30th and February 9th. If you have trouble logging in, please email your username to qigong@taichi18.com

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Recently, a fellow qigong master asked me to look into the M-theory (superstring theory). That theory attempts to explain all of the particles and forces of the universe in one theory by modeling them as vibrations of tiny strings of energy. It also says our universe has 11 dimensions (seven more than our familiar 3 [height, width, depth] plus time).

The interesting thing is that the Eastern philosophies have long claimed that everything is made up of energy and that there are other dimensions in the world in which we are living. We both feel that as Western science advances, it will be able to prove the validity of many Eastern philosophies.

Can one start teaching others qigong after just attending a 3-day qigong workshop?  The answer is yes and no.  It depends on the style of qigong you are learning to teach.  Generally speaking, the forms of qigong that do not involve visualization, reverse breathing and the use of the upper dan tian are the easiest and safest to learn.  Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi is a type of qigong that does not involve these components.  The movements present in Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi are simple and not at all physically demanding.  That is the reason why I have chosen to create a video that goes through the individual movements of this style of Qigong in detail.   

From reading the testimonials that have been written by people who have watched the Shibashi Qigong video, I have learnt that many start teaching this type of Qigong after viewing the movements on video.  Many comment on how the health of their students has improved with the practicing of this style of Qigong.  However, it is uncertain that all viewers of the video would learn all Shibashi movements correctly.  Direct instruction is always a better method of learning since improper technique can be recognized and corrected.  I am offering a training course in Shibashi in hopes of standardizing and controlling the quality of instructors who would like to teach this form of Qigong.

The core of this course is to teach instructors how to lead their students into the so called “qigong mode.”  Entrance into this mode is absolutely essential when practicing qigong.  It is what makes practicing the movements in qigong different from a gentle fitness routine or a deep breathing exercise.  Learning to enter this mode can be quite challenging when relying solely on videos or books for instruction.  Direct instruction is the best way to learn how to enter qigong mode.  In order for instructors to teach their students how to enter this mode, they must have entered this mode themselves.

Qigong mode is characterized by a brainwave frequency of 7-10 Hz.  Our brainwave frequency when carrying out normal tasks during the day is above 14 Hz (beta wave).  When we are relaxed and are in a peaceful stage, our brainwave is between 8-13 Hz (alpha wave).  When we are sleeping, our brainwave frequency decreases to about 4-7 Hz (theta wave).  In deep sleep, it is about 0.5-3 Hz (delta wave).  Since the brainwave frequency when achieving qigong mode is within the lower range of the alpha wave, we should let our minds relax as much as possible before practicing Shibashi.  That is why we do the Wuji stance prior to practicing Shibashi. 
 

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