Taiji Qigong

18 Step
Ronnie Robinson
with
Simple,
yet highly
effective
exercises
for health
and vitality.
Acupoints & Meridians
During the practice of Taiji Qigong it is helpful to be familiar with key acupoints and meridians. This diagram illustrates
the key areas you should be aware of when practising.
The areas marked lighter, in pink, are on the reverse side of the body.
1. The hegu point is located at the juncture at the top of the outside of the pointing fnger, opposite of bottom knuckle
joint on the thumb.
2. The Huantiao point in located in the recess of the hips, just at the top of the legs.
3. The Yongquan point in located on the soles of the feet, underneath the point marked in pink on the top.
18 Movement Taiji Qigong
Taiji Qigong (also known as Shibashi) consists of a series of 18 simple, yet highly effective, exercises which can help
to promote the bodys natural healing energy, reduce stress and create a feeling of well-being.
Qi Energy
The Chinese have, for thousands of years, been aware of a system of internal energy (Qi) which travel through a
network of meridians or pathways in the body. Each meridian feeds the energetic system of a particular internal organ.
If you think about these pathways as rivers, when a river fows freely everything is fresh but if it becomes stagnant
everything begins to decay as the vitality drains from it. The practice of qigong works to regulate the fow of energy
through these meridians, ensuring you feel fresh, healthy and with positive vitality.
Positive Effects
Having studied Taijiquan for over 30 years, more than half of which as a professional instructor I have seen positive
results in students of all ages and physical abilities. With these simple, easy to learn exercises I have witnessed often
dramatic changes in the health and well-being of students. The duration of time I work with students can vary greatly,
from one-off sessions, terms short-term courses of a few weeks, and on-going classes where individuals come on a
weekly basis, often for many years.
One things Im certain of, the results of practicing these exercises is instant, immediately after practicing, even
following a short session, students have told me they feel relaxed, at peace, energised and fresher.
Simplicity
The simplicity of the exercises is an important aspect that makes them effective, anyone can do them and everyone
can feel better! Whatever your physical condition, even if youre new to exercise, you can fnd great benefts, even by
practising for 10 minutes a day.
Points to Note
If you pay attention to the following aspects you will also be able to attain these benefts.
1. Listen to your breath
The movements of qigong should be practised with soft, natural breathing. By taking a little time to listen to the pace,
quality and rhythm of your breathing you will be better able to move in harmony with it.
2. Be aware of your body
Pay attention to what your body feels like. You may have little aches or pains from time to time, or perhaps a little
restricted somewhere, being mindful of what you feel like allows to guage how much movement is required. Never
stretch or try to over-do things.
3. Sink your weight and lighten your upper body
Take the time to establish a sense of connection to the ground by imagining your weight dropping deep into the earth
while allowing your upper body to feel light and open foating upwards towards the heavens. Often the reverse is the
reality when stress and tensions get held in the upper body and the sense of grounding becomes less.
4. Maintain alignment
Try to get a sense of a clear line from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Try to avoid crinking the neck,
bowing the back or allowing the head to drop forward. Humans have evolved to be upright and the more you can
maintain a feeling of being in alignment, the better your body will be able to do its job.
5. Focus and Intent
Once you become familiar with the sequences try to maintain a sense of focus or intent when practising. If you are
pushing forward, have a sense of where you are going and imagine yourself clearly pushing in that direction. At the
points when your hands come together, or come close to particular points in your body, have a sense of the connec-
tion to them.
6. Be natural
Try to think about the natural movements of animals; take a look at your cat or dog or even how birds fy. These crea-
tures dont carry the stresses and strains in their bodies that we humans do. Try to emulate the smooth, easy, natural
movement that you can see in the rest of the natural world.
Familiarising yourself with the acupoints.
Study the illustrations and texts accompanying
the movements and try to familiarise yourself with
which acupoints you should be focussed on when
practising the routines.
1. Laogong & Yongquan
2. Laogong
3. Laogong over Beihui
4. Laogong towards centre of body
5. Hegu passes Taiyang
6. Laogong & Yongquan
7. Hegu aligns with Huantiao whilst focussing out
from the Laogong
8. Bring Laogong points together
9. Keep hands open to allow Hegu to pass around
waist area
10. Let the Laogong points face each other to start
with and face the body when in front
11. The Laogong rests over the Zusanli
12. Hegu aligns with Qihu and focus through
Laogong when pushing upwards
13. Laogong
14. Yongquan
15. Laogong & Yongquan
16. Laogong
17. Laogong & Yongquan
18. Finish with Laogong over Lower Dantien, left
male, right hands female
Lift Hands
Think of drawing the energy from
the earth through the Yongquan
point and stay focussed with light-
ness in the hands and an aware-
ness on the Laogong point.
Good for calming the mind and
helps to settle the liver qi which
can become blocked and agitated
causing you to lose your com-
posure. Blocked liver qi creates
anger and frustration.
Opening the Chest
Again you should maintain a
focus of the Yongquan & Laogong
points whilst moving slowly and
gently, being mindful of any
upper body restrictions so you
can gently extend your range of
movement.
Good for strengthening the heart
and lungs which helps to reduce
depression. With a relaxed, open
chest area our qi moves more
freely and we literally feel more
open, happier and contented.
Rainbow Dance
Maintain a focus of the Laogong
point whilst letting it align with
the Beihui point. Be mindful of
any restrictions or discomfort in
the neck and shoulder, by slowly
working this exercise you can help
to loosen this area.
(Repeat both sides)
Strengthens the stomach and aids
digestion, strengthens the heart,
helps to reduce headache and
shoulder ache and improves your
resistance to disease.
Separating Clouds
Begin by aligning the Laogong
point with the lower Dantian and
slowly bring the hands up the front
of the body, opening to the sides
when you reach the top, turning
the palms downwards as you
bring the arms back down.
Good for the heart and lungs
because you are fushing qi along
the lung, heart & pericardium
channels in the chest. Also helps
to clear the head and awakens
the brain as it increases the fow
of oxygen to the head.
Rolling Arms
Focus on the Laogong point and
allow the Hegu point to pass the
Taiyang point with your hands
passing just below your ears. Try
to avoid engaging the shoulders
which should be relaxed and
down. (Repeat both sides)
Good for headaches & migraine
as it helps to clear blocked qi in
the gall bladder in the head. The
liver & gall bladder channels also
have a strong connection with the
eyes.
Rowing the Boat
Start by bringing the arms up in
line with the head, level with the
ears. Soften the lower back and
start to bend forward keeping
the arms in line with the body.
Gradually increase your range of
movement with each bend.
Good for the kidneys and gall
bladder as bending forward and
back stretches the kidney and
bladder areas. Helps to combat
stress whilst gently exercising the
lower back.
Lift the Ball
Start with your hand by your side
and turn your body to the corner
in front of your left. Let the intent
of your mind lead the forward arm
as if you were about to pitch a ball
underarm. With the back hand
the Hegu point aligns with the
Huantiao point.
(Repeat both sides)
This exercise allows you to feel
more open and uplifted thereby
increasing confdence and general
well-being.
Looking at the Moon
Begin with your palms facing
each other, close to your centre
or Dantien. Turn around behind
yourself keeping the palms facing
each other with the arms equi-
distant to each side of your body,
above your head. Come back
down to the Centre and repeat to
the other side.
Tonifes the spleen, whilst stretch-
ing the liver and gall bladder.
Helps to increase circulation and
the energy fow in the chest and
upper body, leaving you more
Pushing Palms
Focus from the Laogong point
with Hegu point open to the sides
of your body. Lead the mind lead
the movement and follow to each
corner in front of you, whilst the
Yin hand comes around the waist
as it turns.
Aids digestion and regulates
bowel movement because of the
attention and focus around the
lower Dantien.
Cloud Hands
Start at one side with the palms
facing each other, shoulder and
waist-height. Rotate the trunk and
allow the lower hand to come up
in front of the chest to the upper
Dantien whilst the lower hand
faces the lower Dantien. Repeat
to the other side with palms facing
each other.
Calms the mind & relaxes the
body through the soft movement
and quiet mind.
Touch the Sea,
Look at the Sky
Place the Laogong over the
Zusanli as the weight sinks
through the front foot and the
upper body remains empty.
Slowly transfer the weight
backwards, whilst raising the arms
up and outwards. (Repeat both
sides)
Good for depression and melan-
cholia because in increases the
fow of energy in the heart & lung
meridians. Also helpful for the
lower back.
Pushing the Waves
Focus on extending out from the
Laogong point while the Hegu
point is aligned with the Qihu
point. Push upwards from the
back foot as if trying to pitch a
basketball, focussing upwards
and outward. (Repeat both sides)
Helps to clear tensions and
anxiety, increases positivity whilst
grounding and connecting to the
earth.
Flying Pigeon
Start with both palms facing each
other aligning the Laogong points
and the weight predominately on
the front foot. Gradually transfer
the weight backwards while gently
opening the arms to a point that
feels relaxed, comfortable and
open.
(Repeat both sides)
Helps to reduce depression by
increasing the fow of energy in
the upper body and along the
heart meridian.
Punching
Start by holding soft fsts at both
sides of your waist. Slowly and
softly turn your arm to bring the
punch out from your body at eye
level whilst focussing out along
the arm.
(Repeat both sides)
Aids digestion, regulates bowel
movement and helps to build re-
sistance against adverse weather
conditions as the defensive qi is
strengthened.
Flying Wild Goose
Start with the hands either facing
the Dantien or at either side of the
outside of the legs. Slowly raise
them just below shoulder height
on the in-breath and breath out
naturally as you allow them to
come back to the starting position.
Opens and expands the qi in the
upper body, strengthening the
lungs and reducing depression or
feelings of isolation.
Rotating the Wheel
Start by leaning forward as far as
you feel comfortable and continue
to turn your body to the side and
upwards in a circling manner
extending the arms upwards and
outward. Imagine you are rolling
round the outside of a cartwheel.
(Repeat by going both directions.)
Moves the qi and blood through
your hands and is good for dis-
persing stagnant qi in the liver and
gall bladder meridians. Improves
vitality through the elimination of
waste products.
Marching Whilst
Bouncing the Ball
Shift your weight onto one foot
and gradually raise the other leg
up until the thigh becomes parallel
to the ground as you simultane-
ously raise your arm until your
palm is also parallel. Alternate
arm and legs.
Improves coordination and
balances the left and right
hemisphere of the brain.
Sau Gong
Open the palms and focus on the
Laogong points. Slowly raise your
arms upwards above the head
and then slowly let them come
down the front of your body with
a sense of washing through the
body into the centre and the earth.
Calms the mind, relaxes the body
and stores the energy at the
centre of the body - the Lower
Dantien.
Following the images
These images are by no means a comprehensive guide on how to do these exercises, rather they are
designed to create an overall sense of the shape or form of the movements. Space here does not permit
for complete step-by-step imagery to cover each transition, but you should be able to get a sense of what is
required. Ideally you should try to attend a class where you will get clear instructions and corrections.
The images were taken in low light with natural light coming from behind the subject. This creates a silhouette
effect where you can see the general shape and form of the postures rather than being distracted by bright
colours. At a central point behind there is a solid pillar which, along with the lines of the blind, give a sense of
how the postures should be and where each posture is in relation to the others used.
This small publication is primarily designed for those who are currently attending classes taught by Ronnie
Robinson, or by one of his approved instructors. In many classes, particularly those which are scheduled
for only a few weeks, it is not possible, or even desirable, to provide in-depth, detailed instruction, so this
document could prove helpful for those who are keen to get the best from their practice.
Taking care of yourself
These exercises are, in the main, accessible to all ages and physical conditions and can be adapted to those
with special requirements. Please try to resist previous considerations of what you may regard as exercise.
In western tradition the term exercise usually implies doing something fairly vigorous which will increase the
heart rate. Whilst there is also a strong validity in this type of training, other methods, particularly those from
an eastern tradition, work with maintaining a smooth, natural breath. Whilst there is a physical component to
this work we are also combining focus, intent and awareness to our practice. This means that we should be
mindful when executing the movements, aware of how it actually feels to do the exercises, and noticing also
when we may feel uncoordinated, out of synch or experiencing pain or discomfort. With these qualities in
mind we can beneft from all aspects of our training.
Stillness in Motion
The work of taijiquan & qigong
is concerned with establishing a
balance of the qualities of Yin &
Yang. Movement is Yang (active)
whilst stillness is Yin (passive),
the mind should remain calm
and still when the body is in
motion.
Prior to practice you should
take a few minutes to still your
mind from normal everyday
activities and after your practice
you should take a few minutes
for either standing or sitting
meditation. Rest your palms over
your belly, close your eyes, relax
your jaw and just become aware
of your breath, to where you feel
its movement in your body, the
pace, the rhythm and the quality
of the breath . This will also
allow you to be able to evaluate
the effect of your training as
you become more attuned to
the differences before and after
practice.
Background
Ronnie Robinson has studied Taijiquan & Qigong since 1981 and works as a full-time professional instructor. He
has taught this series of exercises to thousands of students, in many countries and has regularly witnessed how
its practice has affected real positive change in their well-being. He has taught in schools, universities, prisons,
health-promotion organisations, offces, hospitals, cancer care centres, massage, yoga and shiatsu training schools,
working in training both students and health professionals such as physiotherapists, doctors and occupational health
practitioners.
Regular classes and workshops are held throughout Scotland and Europe details of which can be found by visiting
Ronnies website at: www.chirontaichi.co.uk
For information on training for individuals, groups or organisations email: [email protected]
Ronnie is an active promotor of Taijiquan & Qigong through his various endeavours including:

Principle Instructor: Chiron Tai Chi Chuan & Qigong www.chirontaichi.co.uk
Editor: Tai Chi Chuan & Oriental Arts Magazine www.taichiunion.com/magazine
Promotions Manager: Tai Chi Union for Great Britain www.taichiunion.com
Secretary: Taijiquan & Qigong Federation for Europe www.tcfe.org
Partner: Taiji Europa www.taiji-europa.eu
Organiser Tai Chi Caledonia www.taichicaledonia.com
A 1:45 minute, in-depth training DVD
is also available, either by ordering online:
www.chirontaichi.co.uk
or by calling 07774 985411.
www.chirontaichi.co.uk