Welcome to The Shibashi Sanctuary
Most people have Experienced stress and Anxiety at some point in their life.
More and more people are living with stress and anxiety every day. Whether it comes from work, home life, hormonal changes, or neurodiversity, the physiological effect on the body is the same.
To your Central Nervous System (CNS), being chased by a sabre-toothed tiger feels no different to drowning in unread emails.
Living in this constant state of fight-or-flight takes a toll. Sleep, mood, energy, and even physical health can all suffer when the body never fully relaxes.
Ignoring stress can be deadly. Chronic stress increases your risk of:
- Heart attack – your heart under constant pressure
- Stroke – raised blood pressure and vessel damage
- Type 2 diabetes – stress hormones drive blood sugar up
- Weakened immunity – infections hit harder and take longer to recover from
- Life-shortening inflammation – the root of many fatal conditions
Stress doesn’t discriminate, it can affect anyone, at any age, gender, race, or religion.
It can hit you like a sledge hammer or it can creep up on you unnoticed.
Either way, your body and mind pay the same price and over time, that price is your health
The good news? You can break the cycle. Learn how to calm your nervous system, restore balance, and protect your health ~ starting today.
'This class was surprisingly relaxing and made me feel very calm whilst feeling like I was doing something good for my body and mind'
~ L Meechan
Not all stress is bad
Short bursts of stress help us react, focus, and stay safe, it’s how our body protects us in emergencies. But when stress never switches off, it turns from protective to destructive. Living in this constant fight‑or‑flight state wears down your heart, mind, and immune system, until your body forces you to stop.
Introducing TaiChi Qigong Shibashi
Active Relaxtion for Better Health and Stress Relief
Also known as Movement Mediation for Mind, Body and Soul
Qigong is preventative therapy, protecting your body from disease and dysfunction caused by chronic stress, joint stiffness and the effects of modern lifestyles.
Qigong is for EVERYONE
Students | Parents | Perimenopausal | ADHD | Seniors
What is Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi?
It’s a simple, no-impact movement practice that combines the calming flow of Tai Chi with the breath-led focus of Qigong.
Originally developed in 1979 by Professor Lin Housheng, Shibashi was created to support health and wellbeing for people of all ages and abilities.
The word Shibashi means “18 movements” in Chinese, referring to the 18 exercises in each set.
Each movement is designed to release tension, improve balance, calm the mind, and bring the body back into a state of rest and repair. It helps reduce anxiety, improve flexibility, and support physical and emotional recovery, without putting pressure on joints or overloading the system.
It’s ideal for anyone looking to reduce stress, calm the mind, improve flexibility and mobility, feel better within themselves and able to handle anything life throws at them.
I suffer with chronic fatigue and pain due to long covid so in pain more days than not. I’m always looking for ways to help with this as normal exercise is just too much for me.
This class was surprisingly relaxing and made me feel very calm whilst feeling like I was doing something good for my body and mind.
Hopefully the more I practice the more it helps me in my day to day life.
Nikki’s teaching was excellent as always.
She just has a great understanding of how people learn and their abilities which makes classes much more enjoyable.
~ L Meechan
New Classes Coming Soon to Gloucestershire
Starting 15th September 2025
The Three Treasures and the Lotus Flower
This lotus flower represents the Three Powers of Qigong ~ Earth, Human, and Heaven, showing how we align with nature, breath, and spirit.
The three dots symbolise the Three Treasures: Jing, Qi, and Shen, the essence, energy, and spirit we nurture through gentle, mindful practice.
Together, they reflect the heart of the Qigong approach, grounding the body, calming the mind, and restoring balance from the inside out.
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi - a lovely class from Nikki. A very mindful calming class which really helped me to slow down.
We all have a crazy pace of life these days and an hour of slow movement, deep breathing and brain calming has enabled me to switch off and feel more relaxed.
Nikki is a great teacher, taking time to explain each move and what it’s for. If you’re thinking of trying something new and want a more soothing exercise, this is the one for you!
~ S Kemmett
Stress Causes Muscle Tension
Stress is something we all experience, and it has a significant impact on the body.
When life feels busy or overwhelming, our muscles respond by tightening to protect us. If this continues over time, that tension can begin to influence how we move, how we feel, and even how well we sleep.
This reel walks you through the many ways stress-related muscle tension can show up in our bodies, from everyday aches to changes in mood and energy.
By understanding the connection, we can start to notice the signs earlier and give ourselves the care we need.Don’t ignore stress - it’s time to become stressless.
Nicola Beard
The Shiabashi Sanctuary & The Sanctuary at Home
Copyright © 2025 Nicola Beard
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