Nomenclature is fun word. I don’t get to use it often.

You probably know what it means, but just in case…

Nomenclature is

1. a set or system of names or terms, as those used in a particular science or art, by an individual or community.
2. the names or terms comprising a set or system.

Number and Words

Some Baguazhang systems use numbers for palms. You can do that, and you can still work through some of the tasks and training devices at UBagua.com.

In the beginning, I strip out the numbers because, for me, words and associated images offer clearer connections to the Elements. For example, an Earth Palm makes more sense (and feeling) for me than #2 Palm.

(We’ll put numbers back in later… to understand binary concepts and to link the King sequence of Palm Changes.)

For now, it will be easier to work through Universal Baguazhang using Word connections because words offer clearer images.

Sky Not Heaven

I changed the wording at Universal Baguazhang… we’ll use Sky here. And I hope you’ll enjoy the switch. For me it’s more tangible.

Touch the Sky.

Revisit Sky Palms in Baguazhang for more about this concept:

“You can see it. And at some point in your training…

You can feel it. (Maybe that’s Heaven.)”

There’s something else…

(more…)

Before we dig in to dual palm arrangements, consider 2 different Bagua arrangements:

• Primal
• Temporal

The idea goes something like this:

The Primal Diagram

When you’re born, your elements are arranged in a Primal Fashion:

Yeah, so…

• Sky and Earth (top and bottom) are opposite one another.
• Fire’s opposite Water (left and right)…
• Clouds oppose Mountains (top left corner – bottom right)…
• Wind winds with Thunder (top right vs. bottom left).

That’s Awesome! And it’s natural.

Naturally, the idea from the Yi-Jing follows that, at birth, one possesses a natural, primal power of existence. And that, as a natural being, you possess:

• Sky: strength of creativity, justice, and duty
• Clouds: feelings and sensations of harmony and joy
• Fire: understanding and, simultaneously, spiritual courtesy
• Thunder: firms acts of kindness
• Wind: soft acts of tenderness
• Water: severe and ruthless tendencies
• Mountain: restraint and vital wisdom
• Earth: an ability to blend with (because you can hear with your soul) nature

Hmm… We both start and attempt to go back to this Primal Ideal. But we’re caught up in: Temporal Nature.

The Temporal Diagram is different.

(more…)

Before digging down into the study of Palm Changes, it helps to know the 8 Trigrams of Baguazhang. The static Qigong Postures and flowing Palm Changes of Baguazhang build upon the trigrams. Let’s examine one simple arrangement:

From Yang to Yin, in the Primal Arrangement, the trigrams flow as follows…

1. Sky (a.k.a. Heaven)
2. Cloud (a.k.a. Lake)
3. Fire
4. Thunder
5. Wind
6. Water
7. Mountain
8. Earth

This profound arrangement is based on this diagram (yep, this same diagram is in the background of UBagua.com):

I know, I know: this is a bit abstract. But bear with me…

Look closely at the Primal Bagua Arrangement. In the long run, for your Baguazhang studies, knowing this diagram will be useful.

I’ll help you get it down.

When you can nail down the Primal Diagram (and a couple of other diagrams), then the Baguazhang Palm Changes will make more sense. You’ll get the flow, and you’ll see deeper into them.

Take a look.

(more…)

For a little bit of inspiration… I built a new theme to make writing slicker and more fun.

My other website, RealTaiji.com, shows a similar theme, and I describe some intentions more fully over at minimalist taiji theme.

The differences between this bagua theme and that taiji theme are subtle. Here a UBagua.com the theme uses 3 columns, but its goals are the same:

• No more ad clutter
• Clean typography
• Ease view images and H.D. Videos classes

The main gift I give to both of us, Dear Reader: writing here will be less intimidating. Here’s why:

(more…)