The last few weeks I’ve been looking into and experimenting with some of the basic components and how to apply them in practical applications. This has proven itself to be very interesting and useful, as it shows how even the smallest change can have a large impact. I was interesting to see how the less experienced students were surprised how little force it takes to redirect externally applied force.

A key factor in what we were working with was foot work. Having quick and nimble footwork is defiantly an asset. Here’s a video clip of Shizi Orchard performing a number of the basic stepping patterns and turns in Jiulong Baguazhang.

One of the things I’ve been looking at is the different turns and different ways to apply them. I’ve been currently focusing on two of the more basic turns the water dragon and pendulum turns. This has been very informative and interesting to see how what seems to be a relatively simple move can have so many different applications can come of it. For myself it seems that the more time I spend practicing this art the more I see in the many seemingly simply motions.

In January of 2012, Shizi Reynolds will be having an Introduction to Jiulong Baguazhang, for more information and to register at http://baguamississauga.com/ .

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