Franklin

Hey Sean good luck with your journey in bagua the Ze Zhong Pai Gao Bagua is a great system well laid out and Yusen is a great teacher... I guess now we are Kung Fu Brothers! I am in the first class..... Franklin

edit- the video you posted- the person is placing the foot on the ground and then shifting the weight on to it i am curious how this will negatively impact the health of the legs? walking like this i can not see how this would do that in taiji you put the heel down and then the whole foot, and then shift the weight on to it.. i don't see how that is different- the whole foot on the ground- then shift the weight... end-edit you should re read my post i will not comment on what is going on in the video (as in the correctness or incorrectness of the practice) it is different from what i learned and practice i will add that from my personal experience learning to walk correctly is very difficult even with a good teacher correcting you it is one of those things you either get or you don't once you get it you know before then you are just repeating what you have heard.... and different walking develops different things and sometimes different ways of walking develop similar things but from a different method i am not trying to change you mind or even argue with you you are more then entitled to have your opinions on the matter many styles of bagua walk heel toe Franklin

walking in "traditonal" bagua i am guessing you mean Tang Ni Bu- mud wading step this is nei gong training if you walk incorrectly it is bad for the knee not many people can walk correctly and it is not toe then heel that will definitely give you knee pain because you create a jarring force and will not be able to keep the head smooth while walking but instead have a jerky movement learning how to walk correctly is very important for bagua (at least how i learned) but there are many styles and many different ways of walking that people do Franklin

I think the best place to start if you wanted to find out more about pakua/bagua would be the Pa Kua Chang Journal lots of great information from many different styles of Pa Kua / Ba Gua history, biographies, philosophy, and good information some how to stuff as well http://pakuachangjournal.com/order.php then once you have some perspective on the variety in the art you can look for material that you are interested in... not all bagua /pakua is the same Franklin

anatomy of breathing is one of the best books i have read on the subject of breathing http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Breathing-Blandine-Calais-Germain/dp/0939616556/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289910346&sr=8-1 well worth checking out talks about he anatomy of breathing and also has many practical exercises franklin

Just wanted to let everyone know I finished working on my next book. The E-Book is available at my site now (details below) and the hard copy version should be ready in about a month- need to get the proof copy back from the printer and check it out first. I learned this Qi Gong set about 17 years ago and it remains one of my favorite. I have learned a lot of different Qi Gong over the years by studying from different teachers for both martial arts and healing disciplines as well as attending Chinese Medicine School (and becoming a Nationally Certified Acupuncturist in the USA). But, this set has remained one of my favorites. It is unique in that it combines standing meditation with the moving exercises. The standing meditation is a variation of the Wuji Zhan Zhuang and is held before, between, and after the moving exercises. There are 10 moving exercises and they work the entire body- keeping the energy flowing freely, strengthening and keeping the joints loose, regaining and maintaining the flexibility of the spine, gathering energy. Anyways I think its a great set and thought I should share the news that the book is finished. _____________________________________________________________ A new E-Book is available at Shen Long Publishing! Daoist Qi Gong in Ten Exercises Daoist Qi Gong emphasizes a harmony between movement and stillness. The 10 Exercises of this Set are relatively easy to learn yet give a tremendous benefit to the body. A main feature of this Qi Gong set is the Meditation Stance. This posture which is a variation of Wuji Zhan Zhuang (Standing Meditation) is very effective for cultivating the body's energy or Qi. Each exercise starts from this stance and returns to it. Practicing these exercises help to keep the body's energy flowing freely, keep the joints strong and flexible, strengthen the legs and waist, and benefit all the internal organs. This Qi Gong set also helps to regain and maintain the flexibility and mobility of the spine. This book presents Daoist Qi Gong in Ten Exercises with clear illustrations and easy to understand directions. Daoist Qi Gong in Ten Exercises Table of Contents You can order it here http://www.shenlongpub.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=27&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=50&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 The E-Book is available now and the hard copy version should be available in a month or so. I need to wait for the proof copy to arrive and then check it over to make sure everything is the way it should when printed. If you are interested in picking up the E-Book version don't delay and use this coupon which is good for 25% Off your order (for any products) Coupon Code is "happyhalloween" At checkout just enter it to get your 25% Off This coupon will be good through Thursday Happy Training Franklin Shen Long Publishing

the way i learned from one of my teachers you can rotate the balls 2 ways - with the balls in constant contact - with the balls never touching if the balls have chimes the sound should be continuous it should not start, stop, or clank also keep space in the armpit while you rotate the balls like the old kung fu movies where the guy walks around with his arm extended while rotating the balls cheers Franklin

I don't think he was referring to that as a way to interpret the I-Jing in a general sense but instead as a way to see the lines of the hexagrams as a way to symbolize the alchemical process and there are lots of different interpretation of the I-Jing in that regard... i have also had cultivation teachers refer to the process as having the goal of being pure yang not that there is anything bad or wrong with yin but in this metaphor the yin is the form that decays and will go back to the earth while the yang is the energy and light that can be cultivated and refined and can continue without the yin franklin

Hi everyone, haven't been on the forum for a little while- been busy I just finished a new website about Tai Chi for Health If you or anyone you know is interested in Tai Chi check it out. Lots of information - more coming soon in the blog Free Tai Chi Lessons and some great deals on Tai Chi DVDs http://www.taichihealth.info Let me know what you think and any suggestions to improve the site are welcome Franklin

Thanks Mal Appreciate the kind words. Let me know if you have any suggestions on how to make the site better. Franklin

If you are looking for the yang style 24 movement form I have a DVD that covers that. It can be found here and the page includes a small preview http://www.shenlongpub.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=24&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 The DVD is also available as downloadable FLV video files here: http://www.shenlongpub.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=42&category_id=21&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 If you have any question please feel free to ask me. Franklin

Hi - Every so often a Tai Chi topic comes up here so I thought this might be on interest. My DVD is now available on Amazon.com (see the links below) I have been teaching for about 17 years now- and I find that most people are very happy with just learning Tai Chi exercises instead of committing to learn the long form- the exercises give them everything they are looking for and are simple to preform. I developed this "exercise" set so that it is not just beginner material (so that I could get some benefit and practice in while I lead the class though the exercises)- it covers- some very effective exercises for opening the body- including the kua, spine, and shoulders standing meditation Tai Chi Walking and single posture practice (some done stationary like cloud hands and some done walking) so far everyone has enjoyed these classes (including myself- I can still work on things that I need to develop after close to 20 years of practice while still "leading beginners") I think this DVD would be a great introduction to Tai Chi practice and I would hope people find it different from "popular" tai chi exercise videos that are available- (the ones that are more "fluff" then actual Tai Chi) the details are below Franklin The Tai Chi Workout DVD The Tai Chi Workout is designed so that you can experience the benefits of practicing Tai Chi without having to learn a long and complicated form. The exercises are easy to learn and gentle on the body while building skills and attributes that are necessary to explore the depth of Tai Chi Practice. Having taught Tai Chi and related disciples for over 15 years, it is my experience many beginners take up Tai Chi because of the health benefits, but can get overwhelmed or frustrated when confronted with having to learn a long and complicated Tai Chi Form. This workout is designed so that a new student on their first day will be able to follow along and practice all the exercises. The workout includes exercises that loosen and relax the joints, a standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang) which builds energy and connection in the body, Tai Chi walking exercises, and Tai Chi movement exercises. This is a low impact workout that will help you relax and get rid of stress, become more aware and in control of your body, and benefit circulation. To go through this workout should take between 20 to 40 minutes. This DVD includes an introduction to the workout, a section on the Tai Chi Principles that must be adhered to while practicing, detailed instruction in each of the 13 exercises that make up the workout, and a set of closing exercises to end your practice. This workout builds and refines skills that are necessary for Tai Chi Practice. Your commitment to practice determines the depth of your training and development. Format: NTSC Region: All Regions Studio: Shen Long Publishing DVD Release Date: July 26, 2010 Run Time: 93 minutes The Tai Chi Workout DVD

here is a video preview with one of the 13 exercises in the workout this exercise is good for relaxing the hips and lower back, and opening the kua area Franklin

i really like that book i have a translation by thomas cleary titled- back to beginnings http://www.amazon.com/Back-Beginnings-Shambhala-Centaur-Editions/dp/1570623775 it is a small pocket size book- great to carry around also here is a 1925 translation online http://www.themista.com/freeebooks/chvege.htm the person who put this up says they are also a volunteer for Project Gutenberg so i am guessing the text falls within the public domain franklin

DVD just released that might be of interest to members can be purchased here: Shen Long Publishing Detailed Instruction in Each of the Eight Sections of the Seated Eight Section Brocade and a Seated Breathing Exercise- build the Foundations for: Good Health, Meditation, and Taoist Training Seated Eight Section Brocade The Seated Eight Section Brocade is an ancient set of exercises designed to wash the internal body thereby clearing the energy channels from blockages and strengthening the internal organs and Qi or energy. This set is very simple to preform and only takes about 15 minutes. This set is great as a stand alone practice or it is a great practice to do before seated meditation. Seated Breathing Exercise The seated breathing exercise taught is a method of counting the breath. This seems simple in theory but the practice can be demanding. This practice can build a solid foundation for further meditation. By counting the breath you can quite the mind and make the breathing naturally long, deep, slow, and relaxed. Approximate Running Time: 57 minutes NTSC Format Region Free Preview and Free Lesson can be purchased here: Shen Long Publishing to celebrate the release it is 20% off and I made a special coupon for the Tao Bums get another $5.00 off any purchase input coupon code- "TaoBum5" Franklin edit- preview is up

I updated the original post with a preview and free lesson Franklin

another similar method is to get a barrel (plastic) and drill some holes all over then layer your material and add some dirt with the layers (i forgot the dirt the first time and nothing happened) then you can put the lid on it and leave it for a couple months hardly any odor and keeps the critters out of your stuff... franklin

thanks I have learned quite a few versions myself. this one is different from the other versions I have learned and seen the emphasis is on clearing and washing the channels best to be practiced after waking and before bed or before meditation like i said- i will try to put up a short video some time tomorrow franklin

thanks - i am glad you enjoyed the videos i did not know there was a standardized set promoted by th PRC i do know that recently there seems to be a lot more versions available to compare Franklin interesting i agree there is a lot of variations out there... in the set i learned the organ/season correlation is about the same- only the deer and monkey correlations are switched with the set i learned deer- spleen monkey- liver the monkey has a lot of whip like motions low squatting, walking, and rolling really works the kua and the flexibility of that area the deer is more graceful and some of the movements still act on the liver as the spleen and liver are so interrelated the deer exercises make you light- think it is related to the spleens ability to send the clear upward and the turbid downward if this is not working right then the body becomes sluggish and feels weighted down the deer has some leaping movements in it... franklin

Stigweard if you can find a copy of this book it is great The Celestial Stems by Royston Low http://www.amazon.com/Celestial-Stems-Roys...8585&sr=8-6 his books are actually really hard to find now but all the ones i have seen are really good mostly about acupuncture the celestial stem book is short i think like 96 pages or so it have very good background and overview and also covers finding the "open" point based on the stems and branches for each hour of each day if you have an acupuncture school nearby you might check their library to see if they have a copy franklin

looking forward to checking it out franklin

Hi Gary is there any video of this practice up on the web that we can check out? thanks franklin

I forget how many different versions of the eight section brocade i have learned over time the one i practice the most and teach is not the version I learned in Dr. Chang's seminar although i do sometimes practice the set every now and then (mostly if i have about a minute or two and just want to get things moving) also he taught one of his eight section exercises as a way to gather the energy from the rising sun sometimes i will practice that in exercise for that purpose. also the five animal frolics that i practice and teach are much different from the 5 animal exercises that Dr. Chang went over in his seminar the version i practice and teach takes about an hour or so to go through if you do 3-5 reps of each exercises for all the 5 animals- but each set can also be practiced individually- it is a great set for training the body as for what Dr. Chang presents in his book- my feeling is that it is most likely very traditional (but with a modern presentation) I had learned may similar practices to many of the exercise he presents in the text and i think the presentation is good and thorough my mom benefited from the daily practices recommended in Dr. Chang's book franklin