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Hi:
I just started the bagua mastery program, and I am working through the warm up exercises right now. Already, I am overwhelmed by how specifics and detailed the instructions on the warm ups are.
My question is this. Since I do not have access to a live instructor, I do not really have anyone to check out my practice. How accurate does my posture needs to be for me to get the benefit of these exercises? If they have to be absolutely 100 percent accurate, then I will have to seriously consider flying out to where one of the certified instructor live; but that would be considerable expenditure.
Please let me know what your thoughts on this.
THank you
Fake it until you make it.
It takes years for the details to sink in.
The way I approached this program is actually to first go learn Bagua from a local teacher. Then I got the basics and developed enough awareness to self correct the basics (which include body alignments, level of coiling, circle walking, self defence flavour, etc). This took a few years and it was very fun in its own way.
This background gave me enough understanding to better understand the program and more comfort to know I am on the right track. Much easier to feel it. (Still there are limitations.)
The program’s instructions are excellent and detailed. Still it is a big ask to learn it without any background experiential frame of reference. For me anyway.
My approach which i had to invent due to being in a bagua zhang waste land:
First of all this method is slower, but has the benefits of trying all sorts of other perspectives out. This is beneficial in itself in many ways.
1. Try it out and do it.
2. Always think and question and remain critical of what you are doing what you feel and what you are supposed to do and feel.
3. apply the 80% rule – never push your system beyond 80% of its ability at any point in time.
4. If you feel pain – stop! and let your system adjust; often to the next level of power your body can handle.
5. Listen to Bruce! he’s preventing you from making an unrecoverable mistake.
6. Eventually with careful experimentation you will “Get it”.I’m sure there’s something i missed e.g. don’t become arrogant or you turn into Darth Vader… but it think those apply even if you have a teacher….
Andrew
Great question!
I remember reading that Dragon & Tiger is forgiving of inaccuracies. What about Bagua?
I’m also a beginner. I asked my wife to record me practicing 3 step mud walking with my phone today. Watching it in slow motion has been very revealing. I saw some things I wasn’t aware of and was able to work on them on my own.
I’m also going to continually go through BMP resources to refine my understanding, and hopefully every new cycle will reveal new details to work on.
Have a good practice.
Jacek
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