Comments on: Teaching Abstractions

By: S.Smith

S.Smith — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:40:12 +0000

It’s been a bit…but…

Thanks for your props Jim.

I’ll always dig the impressions you leave by walking circles.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:12:28 +0000

I just found your site tonight by being silly on Google and searching for my own blog’s title along with my name, and I found that you’ve linked to me (I’m “Mr. Jim” from BecomingtheLion). I appreciate that. It looks like you’ve got a lot of interesting stuff to say on here, and I look forward to reading more of it!

By: Aaron W. J.

Aaron W. J. — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:07:30 +0000

Thank you, Jose. Now I know. Train well to remain well.

By: José Freitas

José Freitas — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:53:34 +0000

Aaron, although I will grant that your image of the Enery Mane for the Lion Palms is splendid, I will add that I think it is based on the fact that this particular stance (Lion Opens Mouth) is associated with the Heaven Trigram in traditional Bagua, and that in popular lore Heaven can be represented by the Lion, much as the Earth is represented by the Unicorn or the Monkey is the Swamp, etc…. They are folk names for the energetic quailites of the Trigrams, much as te Trigram names (gen, kun, etc…) are more erudite names.

In Jiang Rong Qiao’s book this Palm is simply called seventh Palm. It is the individual postures that are named, and they have names of the Lion (ie. Lion Opens Mouth, Lion Throws Ball, etc…). I’ve never heard of it called Lion Palm, except as a practical, short hand way of doing it.

I think.

By: Aaron W. J.

Aaron W. J. — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 07:29:34 +0000

“The Original Circular Form,
Palm Chang Number 7: ‘Lion’”

Hi Steven and Everyone,

I’m interested in your thoughts on the seventh palm change in the Original Circular Baguazhang Form.

This palm change, known as”[The] Lion” is of particular interest to me these days. About two weeks ago, while doing the form, I experienced something new during this sequence; something I had never before experienced: the sensation of “having a mane.” Sounds weird, I know. Let me explain.

As the top palm bows over the head, seemingly plunging towards to central Sky palm (making a MAGNIFICENT stretch on the lateral side of the body I might add; a stretch which is most soothing and, in principle, could be a small subject of discussion all its own), this structure, to me, creates the feeling of me looking out through “a mane of energy”, which is created in the space between the two palms. Once I experienced this, I began looking at both palms simultaneously.

So, I’m curious about the possibility of this sensation contributing to the name of the palm change, in addition to the finger tips curling to make “claws”.

Thanks for your time, everyone. Train strong to remain strong.

By: Nate

Nate — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:41:23 +0000

I’ve been hesitant to comment on lots of articles because I am very new to all of this. With this article talking about the workshop and how it was structured I wanted to take the chance to comment on Steven and the things we study.

Steven is a great teacher equipped with a ton of knowledge on internal arts – specifically Taiji and Bagua. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and in the environments he creates for learning and growing.

These arts are based on sound principles and FEEL this way also. It seems as though the feeling precedes the identification of exactly what makes each part of these arts so right on. So, if it feels good, take a step into the dark and find out what is creating the feeling.

I would highly recommend Steven as a teacher and would also recommend the curriculum he teaches. As it is – I have found them both together and am very excited for the coming days and weeks as I have chance to learn and grow in this setting.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:29:05 +0000

Excellent! I look forward to that very much. Peace.

By: S.Smith

S.Smith — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:37:48 +0000

Ben, I appreciate your words and your work. I share some sentiments too: that the wilds make martial arts a bit more visceral and potent, and it shifts our needs and our focal priorities.

Aaron, My expertise flourishes in the wild places. The design of the workshop and the orientation of 64 palm changes is as unique as I know of in Baguazhang Circles. We use the form that is taught by Mr.Erle Montaigue for proper form work. The deepening follows a sleep/wake period intends to disrupt the 1,000 voices that continually speak in the mind; it induces fluidity by both flowing through and writing out thoughts.

More Dream Circles will follow.