Tips for Practicing Baguazhang Internal Power
Tips for Practicing Baguazhang Internal Power
Baguazhang's internal power has a miraculous anti-cancer effect and offers excellent therapeutic benefits for various chronic illnesses. It is a path to purify the body and mind, leading to self-liberation.
In China, the practice of enhancing health, improving physical fitness, and preventing diseases through the methods of Taoism and martial arts is abundant. These practices, often referred to as "tuna" or "dao yin," involve various forms of mimicry of natural body movements and breathing adjustments. The primary objective of all these practices is to pursue health, physical fitness, and longevity.
Here are several considerations when practicing the internal power of Baguazhang:
1. Correct Fundamentals of Baguazhang:
It's crucial to ensure that the fundamental movements of Baguazhang are precise. Any errors in your movements can hinder the development of internal power and, in severe cases, cause harm to your body. Be cautious and attentive to detail.
2. Guided Practice with an Instructor:
Practicing Baguazhang's internal power should be done under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Self-practice can lead to deviations and should be strictly avoided.
3. Systematic and Step-by-Step Approach:
Internal power training in Baguazhang requires a rigorous and systematic approach with clear step-by-step instructions. Each step should be followed diligently, and no shortcuts should be taken.
Now, let's delve into the methods of practicing Baguazhang's internal power (known as "dan gong"):
Step One: Correct the Turning Movements in Baguazhang:
There are specific requirements and nuances when practicing the turning movements in Baguazhang:
The fundamental requirement is that the inner foot should move straight ahead, while the outer foot turns inward at an angle of approximately 45-60 degrees (for more details, please refer to the article on "How to Practice Footwork in Baguazhang").
When standing in Baguazhang stance, ensure that the knee joint of the front leg is vertical to the heel of the front foot, and the back of the body, hips, and the heel of the rear foot are all in vertical alignment. This alignment allows the body to stay centered and enables you to kick or strike the opponent effectively.
During the turning movements in Baguazhang, keep your fingers gripping the ground, and your feet should move smoothly to ensure the body's stability. By following these principles, you can maintain balance during the turning movements.
Step Two: Cultivate the Right Mindset:
Baguazhang emphasizes the importance of inner focus and tranquility. When starting, it's common for beginners to have wandering thoughts while practicing, almost like daydreaming. This is a natural phenomenon. To enter a state of tranquility during Baguazhang practice, you need to eliminate worries, distractions, and mental clutter. Seek clarity in emptiness, both internally and externally. Your mind should remain undisturbed by external influences. Achieving inner calmness is a fundamental requirement for gaining internal power.
Step Three: Methods for Cultivating Internal Power:
Breath Control and Qi Circulation:
Focus on regulating your breath and the circulation of Qi (energy). It involves moving from postnatal Qi (acquired through breathing and food) to prenatal Qi (innate Qi).
Opening the Conception and Governing Vessels and Activating Three Gates (Tailbone, Spine, and Brainstem):
This is considered the path of rising, referred to as "Yang Fire." The lower Dan Tian, middle Dan Tian, and upper Dan Tian are the three energy centers involved. The path is associated with ascending energy.
Practicing Reverse Breathing:
Involves exhaling while protruding the lower abdomen and inhaling while retracting it. This technique is known as "bellows" and is essential for the circulation of energy. Once it becomes a habit, it's referred to as "regulating the true breath." Beyond that, when the Qi circulates naturally without the aid of breath, it's called "hidden Qi circulation" or "small circulation."
Step Four: Nourishing Essence (Jing):
Here, "essence" refers to the subtle substances within the human body. It's associated with the endocrine system and hormones, representing a synthesis of congenital (pre-birth) and postnatal (acquired) elements. After refining through Baguazhang practice, the essence awakens, signifying the activation of the kidney meridians. The duration of this process depends on individual deficiencies. When the essence is replenished sufficiently, you'll reach a state where you have no desires (jing full, no desires), no hunger (qi full, no desire for food), and no sleepiness (spirit full, no desire for sleep). At this point, you can proceed to cultivate essence into Qi.
These steps provide a comprehensive guide to practicing Baguazhang's internal power, encompassing physical movements, mental focus, Qi circulation, and the refinement of essence. Achieving mastery in these aspects is a gradual process that requires dedication, patience, and guidance from an experienced instructor.
Baguazhang's internal power has a miraculous anti-cancer effect and offers excellent therapeutic benefits for various chronic illnesses. It is a path to purify the body and mind, leading to self-liberation.
In China, the practice of enhancing health, improving physical fitness, and preventing diseases through the methods of Taoism and martial arts is abundant. These practices, often referred to as "tuna" or "dao yin," involve various forms of mimicry of natural body movements and breathing adjustments. The primary objective of all these practices is to pursue health, physical fitness, and longevity.
Here are several considerations when practicing the internal power of Baguazhang:
1. Correct Fundamentals of Baguazhang:
It's crucial to ensure that the fundamental movements of Baguazhang are precise. Any errors in your movements can hinder the development of internal power and, in severe cases, cause harm to your body. Be cautious and attentive to detail.
2. Guided Practice with an Instructor:
Practicing Baguazhang's internal power should be done under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Self-practice can lead to deviations and should be strictly avoided.
3. Systematic and Step-by-Step Approach:
Internal power training in Baguazhang requires a rigorous and systematic approach with clear step-by-step instructions. Each step should be followed diligently, and no shortcuts should be taken.
Now, let's delve into the methods of practicing Baguazhang's internal power (known as "dan gong"):
Step One: Correct the Turning Movements in Baguazhang:
There are specific requirements and nuances when practicing the turning movements in Baguazhang:
The fundamental requirement is that the inner foot should move straight ahead, while the outer foot turns inward at an angle of approximately 45-60 degrees (for more details, please refer to the article on "How to Practice Footwork in Baguazhang").
When standing in Baguazhang stance, ensure that the knee joint of the front leg is vertical to the heel of the front foot, and the back of the body, hips, and the heel of the rear foot are all in vertical alignment. This alignment allows the body to stay centered and enables you to kick or strike the opponent effectively.
During the turning movements in Baguazhang, keep your fingers gripping the ground, and your feet should move smoothly to ensure the body's stability. By following these principles, you can maintain balance during the turning movements.
Step Two: Cultivate the Right Mindset:
Baguazhang emphasizes the importance of inner focus and tranquility. When starting, it's common for beginners to have wandering thoughts while practicing, almost like daydreaming. This is a natural phenomenon. To enter a state of tranquility during Baguazhang practice, you need to eliminate worries, distractions, and mental clutter. Seek clarity in emptiness, both internally and externally. Your mind should remain undisturbed by external influences. Achieving inner calmness is a fundamental requirement for gaining internal power.
Step Three: Methods for Cultivating Internal Power:
Breath Control and Qi Circulation:
Focus on regulating your breath and the circulation of Qi (energy). It involves moving from postnatal Qi (acquired through breathing and food) to prenatal Qi (innate Qi).
Opening the Conception and Governing Vessels and Activating Three Gates (Tailbone, Spine, and Brainstem):
This is considered the path of rising, referred to as "Yang Fire." The lower Dan Tian, middle Dan Tian, and upper Dan Tian are the three energy centers involved. The path is associated with ascending energy.
Practicing Reverse Breathing:
Involves exhaling while protruding the lower abdomen and inhaling while retracting it. This technique is known as "bellows" and is essential for the circulation of energy. Once it becomes a habit, it's referred to as "regulating the true breath." Beyond that, when the Qi circulates naturally without the aid of breath, it's called "hidden Qi circulation" or "small circulation."
Step Four: Nourishing Essence (Jing):
Here, "essence" refers to the subtle substances within the human body. It's associated with the endocrine system and hormones, representing a synthesis of congenital (pre-birth) and postnatal (acquired) elements. After refining through Baguazhang practice, the essence awakens, signifying the activation of the kidney meridians. The duration of this process depends on individual deficiencies. When the essence is replenished sufficiently, you'll reach a state where you have no desires (jing full, no desires), no hunger (qi full, no desire for food), and no sleepiness (spirit full, no desire for sleep). At this point, you can proceed to cultivate essence into Qi.
These steps provide a comprehensive guide to practicing Baguazhang's internal power, encompassing physical movements, mental focus, Qi circulation, and the refinement of essence. Achieving mastery in these aspects is a gradual process that requires dedication, patience, and guidance from an experienced instructor.
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