Qigong Class Schedule: October 19 - 25, 2026
Learning and Polishing the Shibashi Eighteen
Professor Lin Hou Sheng in younger days. (Don't worry, this isn't part of the form!)
My first encounter with the Shibashi Eighteen form was while reading Mimi Kuo Deemer’s book Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis. An exercise in it was simply described as “from the Eighteen Form”, a form I had never heard of. Several years later, a Qigong teacher of mine presented a beautiful, flowing sequence he referred to as “Shibashi”. It was wonderfully relaxing, yet challenging enough to hold my attention, and I really enjoyed it. I soon learned that “Shibashi” means “eighteen”. Aha! So, my third step was to locate someone who had studied with the actual creator of the form, and learn from him. I put your donations to good use, and signed up for an in-depth online course with Fabrice Piche, one of the few Westerners to learn directly from the creator of the form, Professor Lin Hou Sheng.
I’m still studying and fine tuning the details of this form. As created by Professor Lin, it’s very precise. For example, the inhale should always occur when moving to the left, the exhale to the right. As your imperfect teacher and fellow Qigong student, I believe that as long as we’re relaxing and not holding our breath, we’re on the right track. Over time I will guide us closer to what Professor Lin had in mind.
Over the past year or so, many of you have shared how much you, too, enjoy the Shibashi form. We’ll continue to explore, learn, and polish its many layers and facets. During the next week’s classes, and each Thursday after that, I will include the Shibashi Eighteen in our sessions. If you’re new to our Qigong classes, don’t worry: each time we do the form, I explain it as I lead you through the movements.
Meanwhile, here’s a treat: a video of Professor Lin himself, doing the form he created. It was taken many years ago. He isn’t demonstrating the mirror image of the exercises, as I attempt to do in class, and he only does the asymmetrical ones to one side. But just look how graceful and flowing his movements are! Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/trAf7pBWJOU?si=AMk20Gy0D9hx4_6Q
Class, Workshop, and Special Events Schedule:
Qigong at the Millbrook Library: Free, live and online classes two Fridays a month, 10-11 AM. We meet next this Friday Oct 23rd. Please register at Millbrooklibrary.org, which adds you to the library’s reminder email. The library will send you the Zoom link: it is NOT the same link I use for my Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday Zoom classes.
“Qigong to Relieve Pre-Holiday Stress” at the Hotchkiss Library, Sharon CT. Saturday, November 14th, 10:30 am - 12 pm. Please register for this free, in-person class by calling the library (970) 399-7781. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early!