The Eight Changes Qigong is the root circle walking practice of the Ying Lung Hsing Bagua Qigong system. Here each of the 8 internal palms are held while walking the circle. Transitioning from one posture to the next while circling out and then back into the circle this set combines many of the stepping methods as well as the postures and breathing.
Stepping Methods
The primary step used in this example is the Mud Step or Push Step. the weight is kept on the back leg as the front leg skims along the floor and pushes forward. then the weight is transfered quickly to the forward foot and the back foot comes forward. this creates a sort of little pounce. It also causes the pelvis to rock forward and back thus initiating spinal undulation or Dragon Back.
Other stepping used are the toe in and toe out stepping and square stepping. Toe in and toe out are used to navigate the circle and the square step is used when transitioning to the outside and then back into the circle. All of the turning steps should turn at the hip rather than the knee or ankle so that there is stability in the legs.
Transitions
There are several ways to perform the transitions. Everything from a simple turn transition to a very complex multi movement transition. What is important is that the body be integrated throughout. The idea is to learn to use the legs and pelvis to power the body through the transition.
This is an excerpt from the Qigong Intensive Weekend Workshop on Oct 3rd & 4th. Here I am doing the Eight Changes Bagua Qigong Set using the basic transitions, after which I talk a bit about how to practice it.
