That old familiar ache...

Another class last night. Our Teacher is putting a lot of effort into helping us understand the transition from fixed step, through link step to continuous step.

This year, we missed out on the usually annual trip of our lineage holder to do seminars around the world. The Manchester seminar is usually very well attended and full of excellent tuition and displays of incredible skill. However, due to the travel restrictions, this year's seminars have had to be cancelled. Hopefully, Luo Laoshi will be able to hold a seminar next year - and that is something for which I intend to prepare myself.#

While it is quite high-level, both in terms of concept and skill, if I can go some way toward improving my continuous step, I feel this will put me in good stead to learn the most from the seminar. Luo Laoshi is always very generous.

I remember, when training in the mid-90s, things were very different. A seminar would consist of several classes from one school all training together in one hall. The lineage holder would walk in, speak to the senior instructor then look out over the class for perhaps a couple of minutes before nodding, "Good" and then leaving. That's no real reflection on that particular lineage holder, who is still teaching today. It is mostly just how things were done back then.

The first seminar I attended with Luo Laoshi had me almost aghast. Not only did he personally lead the class, but also took time to improve my technique and even demonstrating on me. So different and much more personable than those previous seminars to which I'd been accustomed.

36 Songs of Bagua - Songs 1-6

The 36 songs were a mnemonic used to help baguazhang players in their practice. This particular translation I got from a post on the rumsoakedfist.com forum. A good forum on the internal martial arts in which I sometimes lurk.

36 Songs of Ba Gua Zhang:
歌诀一
空胸拔顶下塌腰，Kong Xiong Ba Ding Xia Tao Yao,
扭步掰膝抓地牢。Niu Bu Bai Xi Zhua Di Lao.
沉肩坠肘伸前掌，Chen Jian Zhui Zhou Shen Qian Zhang,
二母须从虎口瞧。 Er Mu Xu Cong Hu Kou Qiao.


Song 1
Empty the chest, uplift the back and drop the waist.
Twist the hip, close the knees, and grasp the ground firmly,
Sink the shoulders, drop the elbow, extend the forward palm,
Look with the eyes through Hu Kou.


歌诀二
后肘先叠肘掩心，Hou Zhou Xian Die Zhou Yan Xin,
手在翻塌向前跟。Shou Zai Fan Ta Xiang Qian Gen.
跟到前肘合抱力，Gen Dao Qian Zhou He Bao Li
前后两手一团神。Qian Hou Liang Shou Yi Tuan Shen


Song 2
Pile the rear elbow, protect the heart with the elbow,
Turn and drop the hand and extend it forward.
Follow to the front elbow to create embracing power,
The front and rear hand join together to gather spirit.


歌诀三
步弯脚直向前伸，Bu Wan Jiao Zhi Xiang Qian Shen
形如推磨一般真。Xing Ru Tui Mo Yi Ban Zhen
屈膝随胯腰扭足，Qu Xi Sui Kua Yao Niu Zu
眼到三面不摇身。Yan Dao San Mian Bu Yao Shen



Song 3
Curve the step and straighten the foot to extend forward,
Walk like pushing a millstone.
Flex the knee, follow the hip and twist the waist the waist fully,
The eyes watch the three aspects (directions) without swaying the body.


歌诀四
一势单边不足奇，Yi Shi Dan Bian Bu Zu Qi,
左右循环乃为宜。Zuo You Xun HuanNai Wei Yi.
左换右兮右换左，Zuo Huan You Xi You Huan Zuo,
抽身倒步自合机。Chou Shen Dao Bu Zi He Ji


Song 4
Training one posture, “single whip” is not enough to be marvelous,
Circling left and right is appropriate.
Changes left to the right and the right to the left,
Withdraw the body with retreating steps creates the proper opportunity.


歌诀五
步既转兮手亦随，Bu Ji Zhuan Xi Shou Yi Sui,
后掌穿出前掌回. Hou Zhang Chuan Chu Qian Zhang Hui.
去来来去无而致，Qu Lai Lai Qu Wu Er Zhi,
要如弩箭离弦飞。Yao Ru Nu Jian Li Xian Fei.


Song 5
Once the foot turns the hand should follow,
The rear palm penetrates out and the forward palm returns.
Coming and going never with two in the same position,
Like an arrow leaving a bow.


歌诀六
穿时指掌贴肘行，Chuan Shi Zhi Zhang Tie Zhou Xing,
后肩改做前肩承。Hou Jian Gai Zuo Qian Jian Cheng.
莫要距离莫犹豫，Mo Yao Ju Li Mo You Yu,
步入裆兮是准绳。Bu Ru Dang Xi Shi Zhun Sheng.


Song 6
In piercing out, the palms should be straight, moving closely alongside the elbow,
Rear shoulder attacks and front shoulder succeeds.
Do not leave space and don’t hesitate,
Walk forward between the opponent’s legs.


These are posted here for my benefit, as much as anything. But nice to refer to now and again.

The new normal

My "new normal" for training is in my living room, dodging my cat and referring to videos from my teacher in a class Whatsapp group.

What's your new normal?

The bagua sandwich revisited

Apologies for the weird title. Unless it was that kookiness that attracted you to the blog, in which case welcome!

My Baguazhang instructor sold us the concept of the "bagua sandwich". Essentially, he said, the modern world means we bagua players can't always devote hours of training each day as expressed in the traditional Chinese model. Go live with an instructor, do their chores and get paid in training is a nice idea (and a trope in many martial arts movies) but doesn't really gel well with having a full time, 40hr a week job and a family to support.

So, he explained to us that a good way to think of your training was like making and eating a sandwich. Now there are many kinds of sandwich. Some take a great deal of preparation and the finest ingredients to craft a sandwich that tastes incredible and is really satisfying to eat. Other sandwiches are literally just some sandwich paste in between two slices of generic, white sliced loaf.

Both have their value. Some days, you can devote lots of time, energy and focus to your training and craft yourself a superior "bagua sandwich", with really good ingredients and solidly put together before eating slowly to savour the taste.

Other days, time is at a premium, or maybe other things weigh upon your mind. Those days, some sliced ham slapped between a couple of slices of cheap bread is the best you can manage.

While the latter, cheaper, simpler sandwich is not as satisfying as the one that took more time, energy and focus, it still manages to stave off hunger for a while. It keeps your "bagua stomach"(?) full until you make time for yourself to have something more nutritious.

Recently, I have been having a lot of cheap sandwiches. I need to sort some time to myself so I can get back in the practice of making some truly legendary sandwiches once more. ;)

1,000 Days of Bagua? A challenge accepted (again!)

Yesterday, I posted to my feed on www.fitocracy.com:

Bored at work, I calculated that, if I did baguazhang training every day from tomorrow (1st Feb), then by 28th Oct 2020 I would have completed 1,000 days of consecutive training. That appealed to me and, in an effort to instill a daily training routine, I have decided to take up the challenge! #baguazhangeveryday #1kbgz #bgzed



I've attempted stuff like this before and often failed miserably after a relatively short stint of daily training. But I found not so long ago that I can quite easily work 15-20 mins of bagua training into my working day without impacting my job, stress levels or sanity. So, I really don't have any excuse why I am not training every day.

My 1,000 days of Bagua challenge started today, and I am already 20 mins in!

Wish me luck!

1,000 Days of Bagua: The Preamble

Okay, so elsewhere on the information superhighway, you may have come across the concept of "100 Days of Bagua". Not sure who came up with the concept, but essentially, it requires you, the bagua player, to commit to training Baguazhang at least once a day, every day for a continuous, 100 day period. Usually starts with the new year in a resolution type way.

Really good idea, and a task I have undertaken a couple of times. Both times failing a few weeks down the line. So, perhaps hoping to redeem myself, or maybe by way of punishment, I have corrupted the idea into 1,000 Days of Bagua.

Essentially, on April 6th (in a few days - this Wednesday, to be precise), there will be 270 days left of the year. 270 + 365 + 365 = 1000 (days).

So, if I begin on Wednesday, April 6th 2016 and train Baguazhang each and every day until 1st January 2019, then I will have completed 1,000 continuous days of Baguazhang training.

Why am I deciding to do this? Well, weirdly, for me it sounds like the kind of thing I would find easier to keep going. And, anything that encourages me to train more can only be a good thing, right?

So, to add a little detail, to avoid making my training a chore, anything more than 10 mins counts. However, it has to be focused, good quality training. And, after a few weeks, I will work out my average training time per week and make adjustments to improve upon that on a monthly basis - where possible.

As often as possible, I will try to log or at least recount in retrospect what training I have managed that day/week.

Watch this space.

Training

Not strictly training today per se, but suffice it to say that my upper body has well and truly been worked. Upper arms and shoulders caining as I go to bed after having oiled the decking in our garden.

Sounds like a deleted scene from the Karate Kid!

Shameless promotion (www.manchester-bagua.org)

Just had someone ask me about my martial arts training.

We had a nice chat about internal martial arts, Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Baguazhang.

But I found it rather hard to stop myself from saying something like:

"Hey, why don't you come to our class. It's great! You'll love it. Come on... Come to our class this Friday!"

Thankfully, I just about managed to preserve my dignity and prevent myself from blurting it all out.

That said, he is still sitting across from me. Got about an hour to last til we finish work.

Maybe this is what televangelists feel like? Gotta spread the Bagua-love whereever I go!

Speaking of which! - www.manchester-bagua.org

More obstacles to training

I could list for you the many things that have prevented my training as regularly as I'd want. There are plenty to choose from. Finally having moved house and having a new home to mould to our taste. Having a crazy, three year old daughter (soon to be 4 - on June 23rd!), the current disruption to the trains (a whole line being closed, causing the once hour long trip to class to be closer to two). However, really, it comes down to my attitude letting me down again. I need to refocus and make myself attend, no matter how awkward getting to class might actually be. Now I have a car, too, gives me even less excuse not to attend. Add to that the fact that we now have a crosstrainer and a heavy bag in our otherwise-unused garage, and I have very little reason not to train at home every evening either. The very thing I've been telling myself will be the key to improvement in my Baguazhang. So, after tonight (cos I am falling asleep while typing this) I am back to training every night and attending every class - no excuses. It is all too easy to let the excuses take over and keep you from your goals. I am taking control of myself again and redirecting my path away from laziness and a flabby gut.

Training

Well, new year has been well and truly seen in and so it is way past time to resume bagua training with renewed vigour.

Using '100 days of Bagua" as both an excuse, if validation is at all needed, and more importantlu as a hashtag to make the log of my meagre strivings easier to find (and pigeonhole).

Managed a little last night but a combination of Marlboro and single malts compromised the effectiveness of the routine somewhat.

Training choices

I make so many choices each and every time I train.  What shall I practice tonight?  Basic drills?  Strength training?  Footwork?  Intent?

The past few classes have been a smorgasbord of drills, routines and exercises, all of which would be incredibly valuable to train more often.

So, what wil I train?  Well, I am thinking - taking some feedback from my teacher as an impetus for this - that lower body strength and footwork drills should be my focus.  At least for the next few weeks, anyway.

More obstacles to training

Okay, so it has been ages since I attended baguazhang class. Other than the odd chance here and there to eat bitter, I have done very little in the way of training full stop. That said, the main reason for this lapse is that we are currently looking for a new home. This is taking up a lot of my time. I reconcile myself with the thought that, once we get moved, I will have a garden in which to practice and, hopefully, a spare room that can double as a baguazhang/yoga room (my wife does Iyengar yoga). So, in the long run, I am envisioning my bagua routine to improve by virtue of no longer being confined to a small apartment where I can only really practice jiben shou fa and a few, limited, lines and forms. Imagine having a whole garden to walk a proper circle in! :) So, watch this space and hopefully I will soon be coming to you with tales of extended practice sessions out in the summer heat.

Progress

Seems my more regular Baguazhang practice is beginning to bear fruit. I had another of my training epiphanies at last night's Manchester Bagua class. I found my basic applications working better and my teacher picked up on that. Although I already knew that the secret was simply to practice regularly, it is nice to have that confirmed with some actual, noticeable improvements that have clearly come from my practicing much more regularly than before. Now, I suppose, the key is simply to keep practising.

Quotes of inspiration & enlightenment

A young boy traveled across Japan to the school of a famous Martial artist. When he arrived at the Dojo he was given an audience by the Master.

"What do you wish from me?" the Master asked.

"I wish to be your student and become the finest Karate-ka in the land," the boy replied "How long must I study?"

"Ten years at least" answered the Master

"Ten years is a long time," said the boy. "What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?"

"Twenty years" replied the Master

"Twenty years!" "What if I practice day and night with all my effort?" the boy said

"Thirty years," was the Masters reply

"How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me that it will take longer?" the boy asked.

"The answer is clear. When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the way." ~ Text from: Zen and the Martial Arts (1979 edition) by Joe Hyams


"The ideals of the Martial arts and Martial virtues teach us how to balance our mental and physical skills and to find an awareness of our center. While the Martial arts revolve around the art of personal combat, it also demands that its adherents live in accordance with a certain warrior code of conduct and honor..

The Martial arts involve both physical training and mental conditioning. The devotee must train himself both physically and mentally; therefore mental discipline is both a pre-condition of learning the art and also the result of undergoing such training.

The Martial artist who has trained properly overtime is a confident, tranquil person." ~ The Martial way and it's Virtues: Tao De Gung (2003 edition) By F.J. Chu


"In the West, the 'Martial arts' are a fashion, they have become an urban sport, a technique, and have none of the spirit of the way..

True Martial arts take their spirit from Budo rather then from sport. I have nothing against sports, they train the body and develop stamina and endurance. But the spirit of competition and power that presides over them is not good, it reflects a distorted vision of life. The root of the Martial arts is not there...

In the spirit of Zen and Budo everyday life becomes the contest. There must be awareness at every moment - getting up in the morning, working, eating, going to bed. That is the place for the Mastery of self.

~ The Zen way to the Martial Arts (1982 edition ) By Taisen Deshimaru (Roshi / Zen Master)


"The arts of peace and the arts of war are like the two wheels of a cart which, lacking one, will have difficulty standing."

~ Ideals of the Samurai: Writings of Japanese Warriors (1982 edition - trans. Wilson) (Text from: Notes on regulations - written in the year 1620) by Samurai (Daimyo) - Kuroda Nagamasa (1568-1623)


"One who is good at being a warrior does not make a show of his might; One who is good in battle does not get angry; One who is good at defeating the enemy does not engage him"

~ Text from: Tao Te Ching ~ (written in the 6th century BC) ~ Lao Tzu ~

Gao Style Baguazhang book

I recently purchased this book, "Beginning Bagua".  It is a really good introduction and reference to Gao style Baguazhang.  The text is in plain english and the diagrams and photos are clear and informative.

Beginning Bagua is probably the most down to earth, practical book about Bagua currently available.

It is written with the goal of providing concrete, directly useful information on Bagua. This book covers the basics of body use stepping, static posture training, Qigong, key movements, striking and throwing applications, circle walking as well as how Bagua's intellectual framework applies to martial tactics and to general training.

Much of what you will find in this book is useful not just to practitioners of Bagua, but to martial artists in general.

Beginning Bagua is extensively illustrated with photos of both solo movements, basic exercises, palm changes and martial applications.

Bagua is often presented as mysterious, complicated and difficult. It certainly requires study and practice, but this book provides the keys to make sense of the 'abstract' movements, to see the logic behind them and begin to develop useful skills. This book can save you a lot of grief and confusion!

The information itself is presented in a straight forward way, based on direct experience and written with at least occasional humour.

Beginning Bagua is the first book in a series that will look at aspects of Bagua with increasing detail and an emphasis on practicality.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next instalment!  It is the most-read martial arts text on my Kindle app.

Beginning Bagua

Feeling positive

I am feeling very good about ny baguazhang training at the moment.  Had a great bagua lesson last night.  Starting to really feel it around my shoulders as I sit here typing this.

I have a good idea what I need and want to work on and I know I'll get a chance to train now I'm getting up early every weekday.

Even tried a little baguazhang after getting home from a christening.  Sadly, bagua, corpulence and slim-fit suits don't mix.

Rainy morning

Today's 5.30am bagua practice included an extended warm up and loosening of the joints followed by my working on opening my kua.

Training addendum

In the spirit of, "Hey, well....  It all counts.", I had to run an errand to the bank during my lunchbreak at work.  While I did so, I worked a little on my calves (essentially just engaging them as I walked).

Not exactly a marathon workout - but it all adds up (and I really need to focus on my lower body at the moment).

Ante-meridian (morning) training

Have practiced some single palm change this morning.  Would have done more but it was interrupted by my daughter waking up in tears.

Still, a good start to the day.

Keeping motivated

Training regularly is much easier in the right frame of mind. Deciding to enjoy the time spent training, for me, involves:

1. No longer focusing on what I can't do or applications I have trouble with.

2. Bear in mind that regular training will bear fruit in time. Even if it doesn't feel like it mid-train.

3. Training is not a chore - it is a simple decision to enjoy it. I find a cup of lapsang souchong helps with that.

4. If you miss a day or can't train for a while, it is not the end of the world. And certainly no reason to stop altogether. Just carry on again when you can.

Just a little reminder for myself, while I sit here on my phone, not training!