Qigong
Qigong (“energy work”) is a practice of gentle movement, breath and intention. Slow, mindful forms settle the breathing, steady the attention and cultivate a felt sense of wellbeing — an accessible companion to Taiji that anyone can begin, whatever their fitness or experience.
Shifu Liu teaches three distinct Qigong practices at Taiji Circle: the meditative Da Bei, the restorative Jiu Jiu, and the intensive Hard Qi Gong“steel jacket” course.
Da Bei Qigong
Da Bei Qi Gong — Great Compassion, Cultivate Wisdom — is a meditative practice steeped in Buddhist tradition, with an emphasis on healing, energy cultivation and compassion.
Master Da Bei Ji Po was the senior disciple of Master Hai Deng, a very famous Shaolin monk. While in Tibet, Master Da Bei integrated Lama-Buddhist hand mudras and the Yi Jin Jing to create Da Bei Qigong. In the early 1990s, Shifu Liu studied this practice under Master Da Bei in Xinjiang. Through diligent and dedicated training, he attained the authentic skill of this method. Shifu Liu teaches it as a second-generation practitioner of that lineage and is the first to spread the teachings in the West.
Da Bei Qigong is a high-level Buddhist cultivation practice. It leads directly into the state of emptiness, aiming to illuminate one’s original mind, realize one’s true nature, and attain Buddhahood through that realization. This advanced practice is suitable for people of all backgrounds.
The practice takes many forms and can be done seated or standing, dancing or chanting. Guided by breath and intention, practitioners circulate internal energy through the body — in this tradition qi itself is regarded as the medicine — to settle the mind, restore balance and cultivate vital energy. It is taught in venue, online and through private one-to-one tuition. It suits students looking for a calmer, softer strand of Qigong.
“Practice with joy, acceptance and forgivenessFind a Da Bei class
Practice with a relaxed and calm mind
Practice very quietly and comfortably
Practice naturally
Practice every day”
Jiu Jiu Qigong and Wang’s Sanmen Quan
Jiu Jiu — the “9-9 Restorative Skill” — is a rare Daoist medical Qigong of the Wang family tradition. Traditionally regarded as both preventative and restorative, it is also a foundational practice for martial arts training. The practice itself is flowing movement and breath, designed to promote balance, ease tension and build gentle body awareness.
Wang’s Sanmen Quan seamlessly combines martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, and qigong. These three elements complement and enhance one another, deeply interwoven to ultimately fulfil the purpose of strengthening the body, preventing and treating disease, improving health, extending life, and empowering oneself to aid others.
“Heaven represents Qi, Earth represents martial arts, and Humanity represents medicine. By observing celestial patterns, seasonal changes, and natural rhythms, we adapt our martial practice, medical treatment, and Qi cultivation accordingly.”Find a Jiu Jiu class
Hard Qi Gong
Hard Qi Gong (“steel jacket” or “Ying Qi Gong”) is a unique 100-day intensive practice originating from Tibet, combining a first week of workshops with daily self-practice. It is a specialist course with limited places.
“Students report a strengthened and rejuvenated body and mind and greater vitality”About the 100-day course
These different Qi Gong practices are the three Qigong lineages Shifu Liu originally trained in alongside Chen Taijiquan and other martial arts.