Welcome to The Shibashi Sanctuary
A practical way to manage anxiety and lower stress responses
Simple Tai Chi Qigong practices to protect your health, calm your nervous system, release tension and improve balance and posture.
Classes in Abbeydale, Hucclecote, Huntley and Online
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi is a gentle movement system that supports both physical and mental wellbeing. The slow, controlled patterns help ease tension in the body, improve range of motion, and encourage healthier breathing. The rhythmic movements support circulation and digestion, while the focus on posture and breath helps settle a busy mind.
Each form is simple to learn and can be adapted to individual needs. Shibashi is widely practised across the world as an accessible way to improve everyday health.
Key benefits
Supports overall health and wellbeing
Improves energy, mobility, and flexibility
Strengthens and loosens joints and muscles
Encourages healthier cardiovascular function
Helps lower blood pressure
Reduces stress and physical tension
Calms the mind - Active relaxation
Encourages mental clarity and concentration
Improves balance and body awareness
Supports immune function
Simple, structured, and beginner friendly
Key benefits
Supports overall health and wellbeing
Improves energy, mobility, and flexibility
Strengthens and loosens joints and muscles
Encourages healthier cardiovascular function
Helps lower blood pressure
Reduces stress and physical tension
Calms the mind - Active relaxation
Encourages mental clarity and concentration
Improves balance and body awareness
Supports immune function
Simple, structured, and beginner friendly
Shibashi can be practised by most people, and movements are always completed within personal comfort levels.
The focus is on breathing, relaxation, and mental quietness rather than performance.
Tai Chi Qigong Class Testimonials
I love the Tai Chi class that Nikki runs.
Nikki is a great teacher and if we are going wrong she gently reminds us of what we should be doing!
I have learnt so much through the class and weekly blog/email that we receive on how the body works and how the effects of just breathing can help us. I am even confident enough now to do some basic Tai Chi at home.
Thank you Nikki
Very much enjoy Nikki’s class… it has a lovely flow and is a great start to the week.
Nikki’s instructions are gentle and clear - and the music accompanying the class is equally relaxing! Would highly recommend 🙌
Enjoyed the class on Tuesday at Huntley. I’m new to Tai Chi. Nikki demonstrates and explains the moves clearly. Loved the music this week too🩷
Having been only used to Yoga practice I had not experienced any formal Tai Chi Qigong and was a little unsure if it would give me the same benefit.
I need not have worried, from the very first session Nikki put me and the whole class at ease. Her style of teaching is excellent, she ensures everyone is able to go at their own pace and ability. I look forward to Monday evening for a little me time.
My husband has also joined the group as a way of gentle exercise to help with knee joint pain.
Thank you Nikki you’re a star.
I love Nikki's Tai Chi Shibashi lessons very much. I found the teachings very easy to pick up and follow. I felt the energetic and healing benefits from the very first session and I look forward to going back every week.
I love to move in effortless and smooth flow, it is very soothing for the nervous system!
Nikki has a very warm, positive, welcoming and friendly demeanour.
Thankyou, Nikki, for introducing me to this wonderful form of Tai Chi.
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
Good teacher, approachable & encouraging. All levels catered for & you don't feel pushed to do more than is comfortable.
Very relaxing, meditational & energising
I love Nikki's Tai Chi Shibashi lessons very much. I found the teachings very easy to pick up and follow. I felt the energetic and healing benefits from the very first session and I look forward to going back every week.
I love to move in effortless and smooth flow, it is very soothing for the nervous system!
Nikki has a very warm, positive, welcoming and friendly demeanour.
Thankyou, Nikki, for introducing me to this wonderful form of Tai Chi.
I’m so glad I found Nikki's classes. I have a chronic illness and in pain most of the time. during the class im able to step back and be in the moment. I forget my pain and enjoy the peace and calm. its amazing as I am able to do class seated.
Nikki will tweak the lower body movements for me to be involved in the class. I always come out feeling on top of the world. I sleep amazing after class too.
Nikki’s teaching method is fabulous and she can adapt to different ways to teach. I find Nikkis voice calming and relaxing. The groups are welcoming and there is no judgement, we're all there for the same thing.
What a perfect hour of movement, joy and calm, learning Shibashi with Nikki.
I’ve been interested in trying Qi Gong again after doing a short course in it earlier this year. However, I really wanted to concentrate on the physical exercises and learn how to use Qi to heal and improve my health.
Nikki takes a no nonsense approach to Shibashi and lets the movements of it shine through her teaching. This blend of TaiChi QiGong Shibashi is perfect.
I felt wonderfully calm, energised and happy after her class and look forward to deepening my knowledge in the movements with Nikki.
I have a few limiting health issues but this class was super accessible for me and helped me feel more at home in my body again.
A true tonic for mind and body!
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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!