Made it through lessons one and two. Started lesson three. Began practice with the apprehension of learning something new that requires coordination and rhythm which I lack both. It was fun. Did a Qi and flow for a warm up then into the lesson. On the outside Baguazhang seems simple but there are way more moving parts than Tai Ji. As an old helicopter pilot it reminds me of a helicopter. Thousands of parts moving in the opposite direction. Lots of practice needed. Looking forward to tomorrow

In this Bagua Academy live session, we went over: - Body Awareness & Structural Alignment : Baguazhang training requires listening to the body, especially when managing injuries such as knee issues. Proper circle walking can strengthen the knees, while incorrect mechanics create strain and inefficient movement. : The key alignment relationship is feet → knees → hips, ensuring force travels from the ground into the waist. Many knee problems arise from small alignment errors that accumulate over time, so correct movement patterns help rebuild natural strength and coordination. - Qigong Integration in Baguazhang : Baguazhang Qigong combines breath, posture, and intention directly within martial training rather than as a separate practice. Intentional walking itself is considered a core qigong method. : The system includes standing postures (Zhan Zhuang), breathing and movement drills, and walking patterns connected to circle walking. Breathing follows a natural pattern—inhale when rising, exhale when lowering—with relaxed 360-degree breathing expanding the torso in all directions. - Key Foundational Drills : The Column breathing exercise builds vertical alignment by imagining the body as a pillar from the crown of the head to the feet while coordinating breath and arm movement. : The Fountain drill develops expansion and contraction with spiraling arm movements representing internal martial qualities such as rising, drilling, falling, and overturning. : The Millstone drill trains separation of upper and lower body by rotating the hands across the body while stabilizing the hips and legs. - Circle Walking & Footwork Basics : Circle walking begins by establishing direction (north) and stepping along a curved path around a point roughly 45° ahead, usually practicing 8–16 steps per circle. : The stepping pattern is shift weight → collect foot → step forward → hook slightly inward, keeping the knees bent and connected. Weight should transfer fully onto the stepping foot to maintain stability and flow.

In this Bagua Academy live session, we went over: - Warm-up method (alignment + bottom-up mechanics): ankle rockers, knee pumps, swirling waist, loosening arms, “stir the pot” hip/knee circles, finger ripples—trained as mechanics drills, not stretches (feet awareness, tiger’s mouth, hip vs. waist separation, open/closed chain feel, empty/full recognition). - Movement & shapes (volume + durability): piercing and lifting emphasized opening/closing (开合) over twisting, turning from the waist, and building “hardiness” through high reps (the memorable benchmark: 100 repetitions to force softness, efficiency, and full-body coordination rather than “first-hit power”). - Linear walking (Chéng style focus): reaching step → advance → collect, with knees staying “together on the line,” slowing down to give each phase its own beat, and introducing “mud wading” as a source (ground feedback) rather than a stylized look. Hands trained as two qualities: “hands floating on water” (soft, responsive) and “qílín rubs the earth” (麒麟—engaging/grabbing intent when needed). - Flowing set foundations: refined the first change into snake palm with precise centerline timing and the key lesson: don’t turn the body with the hands—turn the hands with the waist. Bonus footwork play (hooking/swinging action) tied directly to future trapping/capturing and partner-leg concepts. The theme was “posture finds the horizon” (not posture collapsing into the feet) while developing a bottom-up perspective—learning to feel the ground, organize the body through key connection points (heels → sacrum/tailbone → crown), and make your mechanics durable enough to hold up under volume. A big takeaway: the live format wasn’t just “follow along”—it was coached training with real-time corrections, questions, and specific weekly practice goals. Great work, everyone who participated. See you next week! ✅ The full live session is uploaded in our classroom if you missed the session.

Join in tonight for an info session on our Bagua training. I will go over curriculum, training, goals and methods. This is free and open to all members and there will be plenty of time for questions. https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/89094594554/invitations?signature=VNXIcMCddoQ9WHXXecaWfNN246iNKHf9YeYcxy7N0pg

Tonight's lesson plan: -Bagua Warm Ups & Body Method -Circle walking Basics | Embracing Palm | Dragon Extends Claws -Flowing Set | Snake Spits Tongue | Lion Rolls Ball | Tiger Exits the Cave See you there! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85743869616?pwd=u2m3bSMMDmMRyNut1NW91YAq70eJUj.1