Gentle movement, natural breathing, and the importance of good instruction.
There comes a time in our practice when we begin looking beyond individual movements and ask a deeper question:
What are we actually cultivating?
This is where Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, often called Tai Chi 18, offers an interesting path for exploration.
What Is Tai Chi 18?
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi is a sequence of 18 flowing movements inspired by Yang-style Taijiquan.
The movements are coordinated with breathing and mindful attention, creating a practice that encourages relaxation, balance, and greater awareness of the body.
Although the movements draw inspiration from Taiji, Shibashi is primarily a Qigong practice rather than a traditional Taijiquan martial form.
Its accessible structure makes it worth exploring for people who prefer gentle, flowing movement.
Meet Sifu Wing Cheung
Sifu (Master) Wing Cheung is the founder and chief instructor of the Tai Chi, Qigong & Feng Shui Institute.
His martial arts journey began in childhood under his father’s guidance. Following a serious traffic accident in 1994, he studied Qigong and traditional Chinese healing approaches with Master Wu Jian Hua.
Over the years, his studies expanded to include various internal practices and traditions.
Through his institute, Sifu Cheung has helped bring Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi to students and instructors internationally.
His teaching places importance not only on learning the outward movements but also on understanding breathing, posture, awareness, and the internal qualities of practice.
Why the Quality of Instruction Matters
It is possible to imitate a movement without understanding its purpose.
A raised arm, a shifting weight, or a gentle turn of the waist may appear simple. Yet how we perform these movements can make a considerable difference to our experience.
Are the shoulders relaxed?
Are the knees moving comfortably?
Is the breathing natural, or are we forcing it to match the movement?
And perhaps most importantly, are we paying attention?
Good instruction helps us recognize these details without turning practice into another struggle.
What Makes Shibashi Worth Exploring?
One appealing quality of Shibashi is its combination of structure and simplicity.
There is a sequence to learn, yet the movements are gentle enough to be adapted to different abilities.
For someone beginning Qigong, that structure can provide direction.
For an experienced practitioner, the same sequence can become an opportunity to explore relaxation, coordination, and the relationship between intention and movement.
The value lies not in rushing through all 18 movements but in developing understanding through consistent practice.
Learning with Sifu Wing Cheung
The Tai Chi, Qigong & Feng Shui Institute offers introductory resources, including free Shibashi instruction, along with more structured home-study courses and learning opportunities.
For those interested in exploring this approach, these resources provide a place to begin.
Explore Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi with Sifu Wing Cheung:
Visit the Tai Chi, Qigong & Feng Shui Institute
Whether you are beginning your journey or looking to deepen an established practice, take time to explore the instruction and decide whether it resonates with your interests and needs.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. If you make a qualifying purchase through this link, Taiji Pulse may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are shared to help readers explore resources relevant to their practice.
A Closing Reflection
Whether we are learning our first Qigong sequence or returning to movements we have practised for years, the essential qualities remain remarkably simple.
Relaxation. Awareness. Patience. Presence.
We do not need to force progress.
We need to give ourselves the opportunity to understand what we are practising.
Return to the moment. This is how Qi is cultivated.
Taiji Pulse — Living the Practice