By Dr Maria Teresa Agozzino 

It is well-established that following a practice, such as Yoga or Pilates, especially as we age, can ameliorate and maintain health and a sense of well-being. For me personally, my life was literally transformed by Qigong and Tai Chi, and I am daily grateful to my teachers who constantly corrected my form and helped me heal and grow physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

For six long years I was bed-bound, highly medicated and often hospitalised with debilitating Crohn’s Disease accompanied by fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). More than ten years later, as Senior Instructor for Tai Chi for Better Health, I am healthy, medicine-free and in a position to advocate for others. I speak from experience and with empathy.

Qigong and Tai Chi in various forms and lineages have been practiced for hundreds if not thousands of years. Whether the focus is on martial or healing arts, the basic principles are the same. All offer an opportunity to connect body, mind and spirit; to promote self-awareness and social harmony. 

Nobody owns practice (in my opinion), and we come to it at the level we find ourselves at any given time. However, these days, a plethora of online platforms bombard with promises of age reversal, weight loss and even marriage guidance. It is all too easy to be seduced by sophisticated sales pitches cloaked in glamorous videos. 

There are plenty of authentic and honest practitioners out there doing essential work but they are less likely to prioritise self-promotion for monetary gain and are therefore less visible.

The main point of practice is to cleanse and optimise Qi flow, and to do this effectively, an understanding of the underlying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory – how and why certain positions and movements work – goes a long way to achieving optimal effect. 

Practising alone for one’s own self-improvement is one thing, teaching others is quite another – it is a privilege and responsibility. For this we need guidance. While written instructions and training videos may contribute to preparation, proper training is vital to ensure quality form, a duty of care and the ability to skillfully modify movements to accommodate a range of abilities and mobilities while respecting the authenticity of the energy body.

Five reasons why expert training schools matter

In other professions, it is assumed entirely normal to train. Medical doctors train in medicine, vehicle mechanics train in engineering, English as a second language teachers train in TEFL or ESOL – all requiring oversight and regulation by experienced experts in the field, often requiring licences and refresher courses. So why should Tai Chi and Qigong be any different?

Established, vetted and accredited teacher training schools, such as Tai Chi for Better Health, offer:

1. Authenticity

With a trusted and transparent lineage, TCfBH is well placed to offer an authentic training experience designed to suit each student’s pace and availability. Our dedicated instructors are all experienced and qualified in a variety of Tai Chi, Qigong and other health-related and mindful practices such as Yoga and Pilates.

2. Quality and Consistency

TCfBH’s curriculum is tried and tested as hundreds of graduates can attest. The highest standards are upheld in course work and in both learning form and delivering classes. Tutors are always available to help with additional needs.

3. Aftercare

TCfBH is constantly innovating to provide ongoing support to current students and graduates, individually and within the TCfBH community. Informative and topical blogs, triannual newsletters, regular updates and bonus materials are offered via social media, on our website and via email. 

Even with the best intentions, it is usual to drift; form can deviate and sloppy habits set in. To address drift with opportunities to review and refine, TCfBH offers two monthly online group sessions and a series of live workshops around the UK; Cardiff and Bristol in 2025, and so far in 2026, Tiverton, Devon.

4. Continued self-development

The TCfBH curriculum is based on Shibashi – a relatively modern form in 18 moves, designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities. While there is never any pressure to advance beyond Shibashi Set 1 – going deeper not wider is key – many instructors feel the call to develop, and TCfBH offers an easy-to-follow progression of Shibashi sets (three levels) as well as mini courses in theory and practice.

5. Professionalism 

All TCfBH courses are accredited by The CMA. This is a vigorous and robust process upholding professional standards and all-round excellence. In 2025, TCfBH was short-listed as an CMA expert training school.

A Training School on a Mission

As a community interest company, Tai Chi for Better Health is committed to improving health and well-being in communities by training skilled instructors to deliver Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi in a wide range of location and often to isolated and vulnerable individuals and groups.

Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi by Master Andy Baggott

Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, often simply called Shibashi, is a gentle, flowing sequence of 18 movements that beautifully blends the graceful principles of Tai Chi with the healing essence of Qigong. Created in 1979 by Professor Lin Hou-Sheng at the Shanghai Qigong Research Institute, this accessible practice synchronises slow, deliberate motions with deep abdominal breathing, making it suitable for people of all ages and abilities – whether standing or seated. Practised by millions worldwide (and even promoted as a national health exercise in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia), Shibashi invites everyone to experience harmony in motion.

A Gentle Path to Better Health

What makes Shibashi so special is its simplicity –  yet it delivers profound benefits that science increasingly supports. Research on Tai Chi and Qigong (including gentle, flowing forms like Shibashi) shows consistent improvements across physical and mental well-being.

For the body, regular practice enhances circulation, digestion, and lung function –  with deep, rhythmic breathing proving especially helpful for conditions like asthma or hypertension. Studies from randomised controlled trials highlight gains in balance, strength, flexibility, and bone density, particularly in older adults, helping reduce fall risk and support everyday mobility. Cardiopulmonary benefits include lower blood pressure, better heart rate variability, and even boosted immune responses, such as improved antibody production.

On the mental and emotional side, Shibashi shines as a moving meditation. The slow, mindful movements quiet the mind, reduce stress hormones, and ease anxiety, depression and tension. Participants often report better sleep, heightened mood and a renewed sense of vitality – with evidence pointing to lower cortisol levels and greater self-efficacy for managing daily challenges.

A comprehensive review of 77 studies on Tai Chi and Qigong confirms these effects are reliable and safe, with no adverse events noted, making Shibashi an ideal complement to everyday wellness.

Bringing People Together in Harmony

Beyond individual gains, Shibashi has a quiet magic: It fosters connection. In group classes – whether in parks, care homes, community halls or online – participants move together in unison, breathing as one, creating a shared rhythm that feels almost meditative. This conscious, synchronised movement cultivates a sense of unity and mutual support, gently dissolving barriers and encouraging harmony among people.

Many practitioners describe classes as uplifting social occasions filled with smiles, laughter and a peaceful energy that lingers long after. One participant might share how the gentle flow helped them feel more grounded, while another notes the joy of practicing alongside neighbours – turning a simple routine into a collective experience of calm and kindness. In a busy world, Shibashi reminds us that seeking inner balance can naturally extend outward, bringing people closer as they move toward greater well-being together.

In an age of rising costs and budget cuts, and conventional health care in crisis, it is essential for each of us to take steps to maintain our health and well-being and foster resilience – preventive measures to strengthen our bodies, improve balance and flexibility, release tension, regulate blood pressure, calm the mind and nervous system, enjoy social interaction and so on. 

Participating in regular Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi classes delivered by qualified instructors trained by an expert school ticks all the boxes. In this way, TCfBH offers people of all walks of life an opportunity to self-empower, self-cultivate and contribute to society as a whole.

Read more about Tai Chi for Better Health via their CMA Training School listing.