Tai Chi practice is incomplete without some form of Qigong. Qigong combines breath and movements training which enables efficient qi (chi) flow in the body. Qigong practice in conjunction with Tai Chi can lead to tremendous joy and health benefits.
Taichi Internal Arts offer a simple Shibashi (18 movements) Qigong form that is similar to the Yang Tai Chi form. Qigong Shibashi can be learned in a matter of weeks by following the free video as provided here.
The video does not show all the repetitions in order that it is not too long and the file is kept small. The captions show the name of the moves, number of repetitions, and the breathing plan.
Start with eyes looking ahead, knees relaxed, feet at shoulders width apart, palm facing thigh. This is a Wuji 无极 (infinity) stance.
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| 太极气功 Tai Chi Qigong |
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| 1 起势调息 Raise Arms – 6X Soft wrist. Drop hips. Press down softly To Dantian |
2 扩阔胸怀 Opening Chest – 6X Raise arms as in #1, then open chest |
| 3 挥舞彩虹 Dancing The Rainbow – 6X Ea Side Raise arms. Look left first. Turn hips |
4 输臂分云 Circling Arms Separating Clouds – 6X Crouch to reach down. Left hand under right |
| 5 定步倒巻猴 Push Arms, Turn Hips – 3X Ea Side Crouched, RH 1st. Turn hips & shoulder. Brush Palms |
6 湖心划船 Row Boat On Lake – 6X Body Upright. Crouched when reaching down |
| 7 肩前托球 Hold Ball Palm Up Eye Level – 3X Ea Side Raise heels. Crouched B4 Palm Up. Turn Hips. RH 1st |
8 转身望月 Turn & Look Back At Moon – 3X Ea Side Heels Grounded. Crouched at Bottom. To the Left 1st |
| 9 转身推掌 Push Palms Diagonally – 3X Ea Side Crouched. Turn hips. Hands from hips. RH 1st |
10 马步云手 Cloud Hands – 6X Ea Side Turn hips hand eye level. Crouched. LH 1st |
| 11 捞海观天 Scoop Sea; Look At Sky – 6X Step L F 45°. Heels still. Scoop & look up |
12 推波助澜 Push Waves Back/Forth – 12X Raise heels. Soft hands drop to Dantian |
| 13 飞鸽展翅 Dove Shows Wing – 12X Raise heels, open chest/arms. Soft wrist |
14 伸臂冲拳 Punching – 3X Ea Side Left foot step back, crouched. RH 1st |
| 15 大雁飞翔 Wild Goose Flying – 6X Body upright. Raise heels. Fly like a bird |
16 环转飞轮 Spinning Wheels – 3X Ea Side Hands circle Clockwise and anti-Clockwise |
| 17 踏步拍球 Bouncing Ball – 6X Ea Side R hand L foot. L hand R foot. Raise Heels |
18 按掌平气 Push Palms To Close – 6X Breathe out reaching down |
| Finish with rubbing palms together | |