The standard Shibashi (Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi) Set 1 contains 18 movements, each with a widely accepted English name and a corresponding Chinese name. The core purpose of the Shibashi 18‑form is to create a gentle, breath‑paced flow state that improves cardiovascular health, calms the nervous system, and some would say, cultivates Qi. It was designed in 1979 by Master Lin Housheng specifically to merge Tai Chi’s flowing structure with Qigong’s breath‑driven energy work. A v

Holidays are on the way. That can mean cultural, religious, work, clubs, or family/friend feasts that vary enormously depending on the focus of the event. Anyone that participates already knows their own dietary limitations. Or maybe they don't know and that can result in more misery than fun. It is not the job of the people hosting an event to understand the dietary needs of every person in attendance. Actually, it's probably impossible except for maybe small family or fri

Here are 10 excellent nature destinations to visit in November, chosen because November is their best weather window, foliage peak, wildlife season, or low‑crowd period. Each pick is grounded in current travel-season data from global nature and travel sources. 🌍 Top 10 Nature Destinations for November 1. Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles One of the world’s largest raised coral atolls, home to 100,000 giant tortoises. November offers calm seas and excellent wildlife viewing. 2. Angel

External martial arts build power from the outside in—through muscular strength, speed, conditioning, and explosive technique. Internal martial arts build power from the inside out—through alignment, relaxation, whole‑body coordination, and efficient force transmission. 🥋 What External Martial Arts Emphasize Strength & speed — muscular contraction drives power. Explosive movement — kicks, punches, and dynamic drills. Conditioning — stance training, impact conditioning, cardi

Here are the final Stanford videos for Tai Chi for Rehabilitation. You've read Part I and Part II of this blog series, talked to your medical team and have a plan, correct? If your team does not recommend tai chi for rehab, they have the goal of advancing your recovery and a plan for you. Follow it! Once you recover and you are medically cleared, you will be ready to slowly once again start your regular tai chi practice. Warm Up and Movement Sitting Cool Down in Sitting Pe

Did you read Part I of this blog series? If not, go back and read it! It tells you how to weigh the benefits or restricitions that only your personal doctor can explain and decide. I do not give medical advice, ever. If you are considering a combination of tai chi and physical therapy, only YOUR doctor and YOUR physical therapist can decide what is the correct course of action for you. Here are additional videos for you to share with your medical team. I've done this in the

At any age and regardless of your health status, you may suffer an illness or injury. The first thing to do is get professional treatment and assistance from your doctor. The next step may be physical therapy, If you practiced tai chi for a short time or a long time, you probably will not be able to perform your usual tai chi routine during your recovery. This can be very frustrating! Since tai chi is meditation in motion, it can feel like a two part loss. There may be a

One Leg Balance Most people can stand on one leg, but the ability changes a lot with age — and that’s actually expected. The short answer: yes, everyone benefits from practicing one‑leg balance, but no, it’s not realistic to expect the same performance at every age. 🧠 Key takeaway Balance naturally declines with age, especially after 60, but being able to stand on one leg for some amount of time is considered a meaningful marker of lower-body strength, proprioception, and fa

Quiet Joy There’s a special kind of joy that comes from moving slowly. In a world that pushes us to hurry, multitask, and squeeze productivity out of every minute, tai chi invites us to do the opposite. It asks us to soften, to breathe, to feel our feet on the ground, and to let movement unfold like a quiet conversation between the body and the mind. Practicing tai chi isn’t just an exercise routine — it’s a way of living more peacefully, more intentionally, and more joyfully

Review these short videos about different breathing techniques. You may have concerns about COPD, digestive issues, anxiety, or maybe a desire to improve your tai chi/qi gong practice. There are a lot of claims and unreliable sources when it comes to any kind of exercise in the world of the internet, SO, as usual consult with your doctor. The posted videos are to the best of my knowledge from reliable sources. What style of breathing is best for the issue you want to addre

This performance at the World Cup 2026 is amazing. I highly recommend that you turn off the audio and skip through the opening commercials, both distractions to a wonderful demonstration of athletic ability (first video). The second and third video are short clips. - Peace

Time and time again this website asks (begs) you to consult with your doctor or medical professional before making medical/diet/exercise decisions. We also know that you just can't help yourself. You are going to use Google or AI or a chatbot and possibly be directed to questionable sources. This directory serves as a comprehensive reference across a broad spectrum of health conditions and specialties. Each listed organization is a recognized nonprofit entity dedicated to ad

Snake Creeps is one of the hardest moves for new and intermediate students. Here are three videos by three different masters/instructors to help people of various abilities learn the movement. Watch all three and decide what works best for your practice. Each video may open with an ad that you can skip through. Peace

What is an oath? FYI: This discussion is focused on the United States. The information was researched using AI. (I like to be honest even though I didn't take an oath!) Let's start with religion. Religious leaders do not take a single universal oath, but many do take some form of oath, vow, or pledge depending on their faith tradition, denomination, and role. Some traditions require very formal vows; others rely on informal commitments or ordination promises. ✝️ Christianity

I have a few issues with AI. It's threefold. First of all, the commercials streaming on social media are a new version of an old problem. This article from the New York Times details the AI produced supplement advertisements that we all see if we consume any media. The second issue came to light on the dashboard of this website. It shows me how the site has been "scraped" by a particular foreign country for their own AI. It shows me that it has been accessed by domestic AI.

Practice with Vivien Chao. These are beautiful videos and easy to follow. The movements are listed on the screen and the music is gentle and perfect for meditation in motion. Please rate this blog (and other blogs) to help us decide what is the best content for our audience. Thank you for sharing stars! Peace #taichi #8piecesofbrocades #vivienchao

The 250th Birthday of the United States (July 4, 2026) The United States turns 250 years old in 2026 — a milestone called the Semiquincentennial. It marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence (1776) and is intended to be the largest national commemoration since the Bicentennial in 1976. 🎆 What the Anniversary Represents A moment to reflect on founding ideals — liberty, equality, self‑government A chance to acknowledge complex history, including contradictions and

Watch Jackie as she demonstrates Moving for Better balance at the YMCA. Turn up the volume to catch the music and hear the directions! Learn about Moving for Better Balance on the Balance Page. https://www.bcalmbzen.com/taichi/moving-for-better-balance This class or a version of it is offered at YMCA locations across the country for free. You don't need to be a member of the Y. If your Y doesn't offer this class, request it and they will bring in a specially trained instr

Here is a chart that is a conversation starter between you and your doctor or dietician. It's not our recommendations, it's a start for a meaningful conversation with a medical provider that knows you, your medical conditions or lack of conditions (including allergies), your amount of physical activity (or lack of) and your personal needs. It's not an all inclusive list, it's a conversation starter. "Doctor, talk to me about an anti-inflammatory diet. Does it matter? I came

Get started with your exercise of choice while sitting in a chair. The only equipment you need is a sturdy armless chair (no wheels) and a phone, tablet or laptop to watch and follow the videos. Once you become familiar with the routines, you won't need the videos, just some relaxing music. Peace #chairyoga #chairtaichi #chairgigong