Shaolin Cosmos Qigong: The 18 Lohan Hands
Online Classes in Qigong, Meditation, and Embodied Practice
Tuesday and Friday mornings, 8.15-8.45am
The 18 Lohan Hands Qigong
The 18 Lohan Hands are a set of simple Qigong forms passed down through the Shaolin tradition. They are often taught as a starting place, not because they are basic, but because they contain a great deal within them.
I have practised and taught these forms for over 25 years, and they continue to reveal new layers of understanding. For some people, the 18 Lohan Hands become a lifelong practice. Others use them as a doorway into a wider landscape of embodied arts, including related Shaolin practices such as the 18 Lohan Arts, the 18 Jewels, and other internal exercises.
All of these practices share a common thread: they offer a way of meeting yourself through movement, breath, and attention.
How this practice is approached
My focus is not on Qigong as a method for fixing or overcoming health conditions. Rather, I see it as a practical way of understanding our relationship with ourselves, with others, and with life more generally.
Through regular practice, people often notice that Qigong can:
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help soothe the nervous system
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calm mental activity
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support emotional regulation
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bring greater sensitivity to patterns of tension and ease
In this sense, the practice becomes less about achieving an outcome, and more about learning how to stay present with experience as it unfolds.
What to expect in a class
In each class, I guide the practice step by step, allowing time to move, rest, and notice. There is space at the end for questions or reflections, though sharing is always optional.
Classes are suitable for all levels of experience. There is no requirement to be fit, flexible, or familiar with Qigong. The emphasis is on meeting your own pace, rather than performing forms correctly.
You can join live on Zoom, or watch the recording afterwards if that suits you better.
A place to begin — and to stay
The 18 Lohan Hands offer a clear and accessible place to begin. They also offer enough depth to remain with over time, if that feels right.
There is no expectation to progress through levels or move on to something else. The practice meets you where you are, and continues to meet you as you change.
Below are short video clips of the first eight movements of the 18 Lohan Hands, sometimes known as the Eight Pieces of Brocade.
They are shown here simply as a way of getting a feel for the practice. There is no expectation to copy or memorise them. They’re offered as a quiet glimpse, rather than an instruction.
'Such a great start to my day. I feel blessed to feel fully alive! No sciatica by the end of this morning's session.'
-Beatrice
'One of the most important aspects is how accommodating qigong is to EVERYONE regardless of what you can actually do. After the classes I always feel I've done something meaningful.'
-Scilla