(Disclaimer: The article posted here were taken from the martial art magazine "Rapid Journal" vol. 7 no. 3 bk 25; the year 2003. The article was written by Mr. Ed Ramirez, one of the leading practitioners of Liu He Ba Fa in the Philippines. These are not my own ideas. All of these belong solely to the author.)
For thousand years, Taoist have carefully studied how the Qi or internal energy builds up, flows within the human body, and traverse the various energy channels. The have observed that the amount and quality of our Qi determines how healthy and fit we are. For instance, we obtain the impure Fire Qi from the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. On the other hand, we acquire the pure Water Qi in our body, we consequently improve the quality of our Qi and, in turn, counter balance the Fire Qi. With regular cultivation of Water Qi, we strengthen our body's internal organs, thus becoing healthier and mentally fit even as we advance in age.
For a long time, the alchemical process of cultivating the body's Water Qi had been restricted solely to those who sought enlightenment. As a result, these practices became shrouded with secrecy and mysticism. Fortunately, some of the more devoted laymen who studied diligently with the Taoist monks were able to learn the secrets and adapt the training methods to the internal martial arts.
Baguazhang and the Internal Martial Arts
Baguazhang or The Eight Trigram Palms is one of the popular internal martial arts styles practiced in China today. Each of the internal styles - such as Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Xinyiquan, Yi Quan, Liu He Ba Fa, and others - has its specialized methods of cultivating Qi in the body for health and martial arts. Now that China has become more open in sharing aspects of its rich cultural heritage, we in the modern world are slowly developing a deeper appreciation on how such practices maintain our overall physical and mental well-being.
As an internal martial art, Baguazhang is known for its circular maneuvers, whipping power, and lethal open-handed strikes. While most fighters would use their muscular power to deliver a punch, a Baguazhang practitioner would use his whole body - particular his waist and spine - to whip out a devastating shocking palm strike that could make an enemy suffer internal injuries.
Baguazhang's primary training method involves the practice of Circle Walking, which is based on an ancient Taoist meditation and internal energy cultivation exercise. Baguazhang's Circle Walking is not a fixed memorized practice set like Taijiquan. Instead it is a do-it-yourself practice set you put together based ont the components you choose.
Walking the Bagua Circle
Baguazhang Circle Walking involves maintaining a particular posture with the extended arms while walking around a stationary point, such as a tree, pole, or imaginary object. Maintaining the fixed posture for long periods of time while walking lower and slower opens up the energy channels of the legs, increases flexibility of the waist and spine, builds Qi, and develops internal power for martial arts. On the other hand, constantly changing postures while walking faster develops fighting skills, evasive footwork, body coordination, agility, and the ability to change rapidly from one technique to another. The first of these two will be discussed in this article.
Baguazhang Circle Walking is one of the few safest and powerful Neigung or internal practices that can harness the latent energies found in the body. Through constant practice, you gradually open up the Bubbling Springs acupuncture point at the bottom of the feet and the energy channels of both legs, which build Water Qi in the lower Dan Tian the primary Qi storehouse of the body. At the same time, your Qi harmonizes with the vibratory frequency of the earth, thus strengthening your entire body and ground the impure Qi within the bloodstream. No wonder there are a number of seventy to ninety-year-old Baguazhang practitioners in Mainland Chima and Taiwan who are still quick and unbeatable as a fighter.
How Do You Walk The Circle?
Select an open area where you could do the Circle Walking practice for fifteen minutes or fifty without being interupted. It must be a place where you could put your mind in a relaxed state free from the worries of the world. In ancient times, practitioners would walk around a tree in a park or garden. The diameter of the circle to walk should at least be an arm's length and at least eight steps in circumference.
Before you start to walk the circle, tell yourself: "I am now entering a meditative state." For the duration of the practice, pretend that you are no longer in the real world but in the spirit world. Calm your mind and your body with a few deep breaths.
At first, perform Baguazhang Circle Walking slowly using the Ready Posture described here for at least fifteen minutes, half of the alotted time clockwise. Focus your gaze lightly at eye-level to the center of the circle with the tongue touching your palate. Then extend forward and outward at the level of your gaze the palm of the arm nearest the center of the circle. Place the other palm just below and to the rear of the extended arm's elbow. Slightly push forward the shoulders and pull the tailbone slightly inward while walking.
Different Baguazhang schools have different walking methods. The method that we shall introduce here is the gliding step. Each gliding step you execute consists of three phases. In the first phase, you extend the foot forward, making sure that your foot is barely a centimeter off the ground. In the second phase, you put the extended foot down. In the third phase, you shift your weight from the rear leg to the forward leg. Practice the gliding step until you can perform all three phases in one continuous motion.
As you end the practice, return to your starting location and put down your arms slowly. Then tell yourself: "I am now ending my practice." Feel your body merging into the real world again. You have just completed your practice.
Eight Animals of Baguazhang Circle Walking
After familiarizing yourself with the basic Baguazhang Circle Walking practice, you are ready to learn the Eight Animals method of Baguazhang Circle Walking, also called Bagua Neigung for short. In this level, you start and end with the Ready Posture. But then, you incorporate eight additional postures in between.
Bagua Neigung not only develops the legs but also strengthens the tendons opens up the energy channels of the upper extremeties. By holding each posture in place, the heart pumps blood in the arms and upper body. As fresh blood flows through, Qi also rushes through.
Bagua Neigung
In this section, we shall look at how to do the Eight Animals Baguazhang Circle Walking:
1. Stand at attention with feet close together. Relax your mind and your body. Tell yourself: "I am now entering the Baguazhang meditative state."
2. Ready Posture. Start counter clockwise as you walk the Bagua Circle while maintaining the Ready Posture mentioned previously. Throughout the practice, maintain the gaze towards the center of the circle by twisting the waist (not the neck) so that your upper body faces the center, as well. Perform each of the succeeding animal posture for three or more rotations around the circle.
3. Dragon Posture. From the previous posture, lower the hands to the sides and raise them up like a tree raising its branches to the sky.
4. Lion Posture. From the previous posture, form your arms into a 'C' with the opening facing towards the center of the circle.
5. Swallow Posture. From the previous posture, twist upward the palm of the arm that is away the circle. Position the wrist of the arm that is closestto the circle such that the extended palm is parallel to the floor but facing upward.
6. Snake Posture. From the previous posture, place the wrist of the arm that is closest to the circle in front of the navel such that the palm faces diagonally downward and away from the circle.
7. Pheonix Posture. Position the arm that is closest to the circle around a foot away from the side of the hip with the palm facing downward and the fingers facing forward. Position the other arm in the Dragon Posture.
8. Bear Posture. From the previous posture, position the arm away from the circle to the side of the hips similar to the arm.
9. Monkey Posture. Touch both wrists about one foot in front of the neck with fingers opened outward like a lotus flower.
10. Unicorn Posture. Raise the arm that is away from the circle upward as in the Swallow Posture. Place the arm near the buttocks with fingers pointing downwards.
11. Ready Posture. After the last animal posture, return to the Ready Posture and walk one turn of the circle.
12. As you are about to end the practice, lower both arms and raise them up as if lifting to the sky. Then lower the arms to the sides as you reach the starting pointing. Stop walking.
13. With feet closed together, relax your mind and your body. Tell yourself: "I am now ending my practice." You have now completed the exercise. Practice the Bagua Neigung on both sides as conveniently as possible.
Transforming The Body
As you continue your practice you will notice changes in your body at first you will feel all sorts of inconvenient sensations as your body adjusts in itself to the practice. Don't pay too much attention on these sansations but rather focus on the practice itself. After some time, you will feel energy rushing throughout your body. It is this energy or Qi that will slowly transform your body, making it stronger and more resilient to illness. The key is to make the practice part of your daily routine.
The benefits of Baguazhang Circle Walking are not limited to health. After being made to walk the circle for 9 years Dong Hai Chuan, the person who supposedly developed as a martial art, became an unbeatable fighter and later became one of the personal bodyguards of the emperor. You too will discover what this practice can do for you in long run!
