Shibashi Qigong Newsletter - Issue V.9 Spring 2008

Second Set Shibashi Video & Workshops

The Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi 2^nd Set video and instruction manual are now available at the forum for free download.  There will be a workshop on the Shibashi 2^nd set at Hastings, U.K. on May 24-25. A Solar Energy Qigong Level 1 & 2 workshop will be held at Poznan, Poland May 30 - June 1. 

For details of the workshops, please visit www.taichi18.com/workshop.htm

The Three Categories of Qigong

There are many different styles of qigong.  However, they can all be generally divided into three categories.

1. Moving Qigong (Dong Gong)

2. Standing Qigong (Zhan Zhuang)

3. Sitting Qigong (Jing Gong)

The main focus of most Dong Gong is for transporting the Qi around the body in order to clear the blockages on the meridians.  Examples of Dong Gong are Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi and Eight Section Brocade.  Zhan Zhuang is more focused on accumulating qi.  They are very good in improving ones quantity of qi and are the fundamental training for internal martial arts.  Examples of Zhan Zhuang are Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan (One Finger Zen) and Yi Quan (Mind Fist).  Jing Gong is focused on cultivating ones qi.  By improving the quality of qi, one can develop their undiscovered potential and be enlightened.  Examples of Jing Gong are Zen Meditation and Tibetan Solar Energy Qigong.

Introduction to Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan

Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan (Neijing = Internal Energy, Yi = One; Zhi = Finger; Chan = Zen) is one of the most complete Zhan Zhuang systems. Along with Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, it was rated as one of the top 10 qigong.  Some may confuse this qigong with the external hard qigong, which is also called Yi Zhi Chan where the practitioner can support his whole body with just one finger. (see photo below). 

The practice of Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan originated in the Southern Shaolin Monastery located in Fujian Province of China. It is well known for its development and teachings of martial arts and healing arts. Unlike certain modern qigong, Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan has a long history.  It was always passed verbally to a selected few in the Monastery and was never allowed to be taught to the public.

Had it not been for Master Que A Shui, who introduced Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan to the world in the 60s, no one would have known the existence of this Shaolin neigong (same as qigong, just that Shaolin prefer to use this term).  Master Que A Shui was the 18^th generation master of this qigong who had spent 16 years studying at the Southern Shaolin Monastery.  Many of his disciples became world famous qigong masters including Master Lin Hou Sheng who later was instrumental in the creation of the Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi.  Master Que taught this qigong verbally and individually, and he did not allow his students to take notes, as he was forbidden to do by his masters.

Items that make Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan unique when compared to other Zhan Zhuang systems are:

1. It often leads to spontaneous moving qigong, including the mysterious Arhat Boxing while practicing this Zhan Zhuang system.

2. During the Zhan Zhuang practice, one is required to bend their finger(s) in a predetermined sequence during some specific times.  This is the essence of the Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan.  Since the fingers are the end of the meridians, which connect to different organs, by bending and releasing them at a specific order and at a specific time, it stimulates certain meridians at the same time, thus providing some amazing benefits.  Think about it this way, the meridians are like rivers while the qi is water.  By bending the fingers, it is like setting up dams on the rivers, thus it will build up a lot of potential energy.  This energy stored is powerful enough to clear many blockages on the rivers and can even widen the rivers. 

There are many sets of finger bending sequences corresponding to different postures and stances.  They were highly guarded secrets in the past and even today many masters of this neigong are reluctant to reveal them to the public.  There are quite a few books written about this neigong in Chinese but almost none of them teach the finger bending sequences.  I have studied this neigong from 3 different masters and only by studying directly with them I learned those finger-bending sequences.  Now, I have decided to reveal them all one by one to the public.

This Shaolin neigong does not require visualization, or concentrate on dan tian or any specific accupoints.  The practicing process is so natural that one can even watch TV, listen to music or even have a conversation with others while practicing.  As this neigong does not require mind concentration, it is very safe.

Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan can be practiced by both genders and all ages, especially those who have internal sickness. The benefits of practicing this neigong include a healthier body, self-healing and the development of qi within the body in a short period of time.  After intense practices and learning, one can use the qi as self-defense and beam qi to heal others.

In 1990, it was estimated that there are more than 5 millions people in China who have practiced this Shaolin neigong.  Even though this Shaolin neigong is so good and popular in China, it is not as popular as the Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi in overseas.  One reason is that this Shaolin neigong remains somewhat secretive as many masters of this Neigong are still reluctant to teach it to just anyone. Furthermore, the practice of this neigong is quite time consuming.  On average, each set of finger bending sequence is about 50 minutes.  If we include warm up, then the whole practice would take more than an hour.  The other reason that it is not as popular is the practice itself is quite tedious, as you are required to remain in the same posture for about an hour.  Thus, I would only recommend this Shaolin Neijing Yi Zhi Chan to those are serious in qigong.  If you want to heal your internal sickness/injuries, be a healer or enhance your internal power in martial arts, then this is the qigong for you.

How to practice:

Warm up:  It is highly recommended that you practice the Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi 2^nd Set right before you start this Shaolin Neigong.  That is because the 2^nd Set Shibashi stimulates the meridians on your legs, thus allowing you to remain in the stance for a much longer period of time.  Instead of doing the ‘holding the qi ball stance’ and ‘closing’ after finishing the Shibashi 2^nd Set, do the following.

Shaolin Horse Riding Stance: 

• Relax completely.

• Stand with legs shoulder width apart.

• Soles in full contact with ground surface and with toes gently grasping the ground.

• Point the toes slightly inward.

• Bend the knees slightly. The angles behind your knees should be 170 degree or less. A smaller angel is better, but would be very difficult at the beginning, as you are required to maintain the same posture for an hour.

• Withdraw the hips so that the weight is on the thighs not the knees, as the knees should never go beyond the toes.

• Back should be straight so the bottom should not stick out.

• Slightly tuck in the chin.

• Eyes open.

• Make sure your shoulders are relaxed (if they are relaxed, your chest should be curved inward a little bit)

• Have the armpits opened (with enough space to hold an egg in it).

• Forearms should be parallel to the ground and to each other.

• The distance between the forearms should be the length of your forearm, thus you are forming a square in front of you. (see photo below)

• Palms facing 45 degrees to the ground. (see photo below)
  

• Fingers straightened naturally.

• Keep the backs of the hands and the forearms at the same height.

• Breathe naturally.

Note: Make sure the soles of your shoes are flat or perform the stance barefooted

Target: To remain in the above posture for 50 minutes. 

During this stance, check the positions of your forearms regularly.  Very often, they move toward or apart from each other.  Some may feel their forearms become very light like they are floating and thus rise upward naturally.  If the above happens, put the forearms back to their original positions.

Some may have involuntary body movements during this zhan zhuang.  If that happens, don’t fight it.  Just let it come naturally and eventually it should subside.  Then get back to original horsing riding stance

There are many different stances in this Shaolin neigong but the above horse-riding stance is being used most often.  Even at the high level, many finger-bending sequences are still corresponding to this stance.

At the first try, you may not even be able to do it for 15 minutes.  Even with a martial art background, I was only able to do 30 minutes the first time.  But, don’t give up.  Add one minute each day, and you should be able to a 50-minute stance in about a month.  Once you are able to do it for 50 minutes, practice it daily for 3 months, and only then are you ready to apply the finger bending sequence.

In the next newsletter, I will talk about how to add a simple visualization when practicing the 2nd set Shibashi in order to build up more strength and stamina; Share some amazing stories about this Shaolin neigong and its benefits from the western medical point of view.  Furthermore, I will start to talk about jing gong for those who are more interested in meditative qigong.

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