shibashi instructions
page 1

• Raising the Arms
• Opening the Chest
• Painting a Rainbow

Tip:

For more help with basic techniques and the instruction layout go to tai chi instruction

Raising the Arms

overall effect
It looks as though you are gently raising and sinking your body in time with raising and lowering your arms.

• opening position:

• stand with feet shoulder width apart
• arms hang down
• palms face in to thighs
• relax body
• knees slightly bent

• raise arms to shoulders:

• turn palms face out to back
• fingers downwards and slightly curved
• breathe in
• raise body
• draw arms up to shoulder height and width
• palms face down
• elbows and wrists slightly bent

• return arms to sides:

• turn palms face out to front
• fingers upwards and slightly curved
• breathe out
• sink body down with knees slightly bent
• draw arms down to thighs
• palms face out to back

repeat: raise arms to shoulders thru return arms to sides 8 times

end of this shibashi instruction

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overall effect
It looks like you are hugging a big balloon and then letting it go ....

• raise arms to shoulders:

• breathe in
• raise body
• draw arms up to shoulder height and width
• elbows and wrists slightly bent
• palms face down

• open arms out:

• turn palms facing each other
• draw hands away from each other
• arms fully extended to sides
• keep elbows slightly bent

• close arms in:

• turn palms facing each other
• breathe out
• draw hands together to shoulder width apart

• return arms to sides:

• turn palms face out to front
• fingers upwards and slightly curved
• sink body down with knees slightly bent
• draw arms down to thighs
• palms face out to back

repeat: raise arms to shoulders thru return arms to sides 8 times

end of this shibashi instruction

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overall effect
Imagine turning your head from side to side as you look at something on your out stretched palm - while trying to cover the crown of your head with your other hand.

• raise arms over head:

• breathe in
• raise body
• draw arms straight up fully extended
• elbows and wrists slightly bent
• turn palms facing each other

• turn to left:

• transfer body weight to right leg
• turn body to 10:30
• keep knees slightly bent
• extend left arm out to left side at shoulder height
• elbows and wrists slightly bent
• left palm up
• turn head to left
• eyes focus on extended left palm
• slightly curve waist over towards extended palm
• curve right arm over head
• right palm faces down above center of head

• return to center:

• breathe out
• transfer weight so weight is equal in both legs
• draw both arms up fully extended above head
• elbows and wrists slightly bent
• palms facing each other
• turn body from waist to 12:00

• turn to right:

• transfer body weight to left leg
• turn body to 1:30
• keep knees slightly bent
• extend right arm out to right side at shoulder height
• elbows and wrists slightly bent
• right palm up
• turn head to right
• eyes focus on extended right palm
• slightly curve waist over towards extended palm
• curve left arm over head
• left palm faces down above center of head

Repeat: turn to left thru turn to right 4 times

end of this shibashi instruction

return to shibashi page 1 index or top