Baguazhang circle walking

Description

Circle walking is the core practice of Baguazhang. It is not the only practice, and you cannot get everything from it as some teachers might suggest. However since it is really key to so many aspects of Baguazhang it’s a good idea to be clear about how to practise. What makes Baguazhang special, in relation to many preceding Asian martial arts is that it is based on natural human locomotion. Most Asian martial arts put a lot of emphasis on fixed stances, bu, though experienced martial artists understand that it is the transition into the stance that gives the stance function (and the Chinese character for step and stance are the same). In Baguazhang the emphasis is much more in the transitions than the fixed shapes. Everyone knows how to walk, right? Well more or less, and Baguazhang goes deeply into the conscious exploration of walking to develop valued qualities. What circle walking can do for you: Provide a centering, calming, refreshing moving meditation Improve body awareness, posture, balance and agility Strengthen your legs, aspects of mobility and improve your balance Develop your martial power Explore strategic and tactical movement Create a sense of ‘ownership’ of the space around the body