Monday
Feedback
I find the syllabus is well-structured and offers carefully designed and enjoyable exercises which aid application of the palm changes. Learning the purpose of each of the movements gives a real insight into overall strategy of baguazhang.
In addition to creating an accessible website containing information relevant to learning baguazhang, Master Waller also takes the time to explain concepts in detail in class with the added benefit of being able to demonstrate how these principles can be applied martially.
The emphasis on evasive movements in baguazhang has been particularly helpful in overcoming my tendency to freeze-up during self-defence scenarios and instead I'm learning to relax and respond.
Although the underlying principles are similar to tai chi, baguazhang feels very different. Adapting your mindset to take into account multiple opponents is difficult but very rewarding from a martial perspective.
Bagua is proving to be a great opportunity to escape from the trappings of individual techniques and instead concentrate on realistic improvisation of self-defence applications in high-pressure situations. I particularly appreciate the focus on deception and evasion.
(Dominic Hine)
In addition to creating an accessible website containing information relevant to learning baguazhang, Master Waller also takes the time to explain concepts in detail in class with the added benefit of being able to demonstrate how these principles can be applied martially.
The emphasis on evasive movements in baguazhang has been particularly helpful in overcoming my tendency to freeze-up during self-defence scenarios and instead I'm learning to relax and respond.
Although the underlying principles are similar to tai chi, baguazhang feels very different. Adapting your mindset to take into account multiple opponents is difficult but very rewarding from a martial perspective.
Bagua is proving to be a great opportunity to escape from the trappings of individual techniques and instead concentrate on realistic improvisation of self-defence applications in high-pressure situations. I particularly appreciate the focus on deception and evasion.
(Dominic Hine)
Values
The teacher is responsible for the class.
They are responsible for the safety of the students.
They are obliged to preserve and maintain the quality and pragmatism of the art.
Therefore, the values and concerns of the teacher are not those of the student.
The student cannot relate to what motivates the teacher, and must trust that the instructor has their best interests in mind.
They are responsible for the safety of the students.
They are obliged to preserve and maintain the quality and pragmatism of the art.
Therefore, the values and concerns of the teacher are not those of the student.
The student cannot relate to what motivates the teacher, and must trust that the instructor has their best interests in mind.
Feedback
The reason for this e-mail is to congratulate you on your website content. Your approach is very impressive & thoughtful. You remind me of Master Lee, and that is the greatest compliment I can give. Good Luck with your school. If I were living in Newcastle I would love to attend your school.
(Ron)
(Ron)
Combat drills
Two person combat drills are significantly harder than the preceding training.
They require skill with qigong/neigong exercises, form and partnered drills.
Everything must be incorporated in order for combat drills to work successfully.
They require skill with qigong/neigong exercises, form and partnered drills.
Everything must be incorporated in order for combat drills to work successfully.
Sunday
The pledge
The student makes a public pledge and then signs a declaration.
They have now entered a master/student relationship.
This is a life-long commitment and should not be taken lightly.
They have now entered a master/student relationship.
This is a life-long commitment and should not be taken lightly.
Partnered drills
Beyond the rudimentary physical requirements of tai chi, the student must learn how to actively use the tai chi principles that are outlined in the tai chi classics.
This is accomplished through training a wide range of partnered drills and sensitivity exercises.
Once again, it is assumed that the student is proficient with the qigong/neigong exercises and has some growing sense of form.
Partnered drills are a challenge, and the student cannot be thinking about connection whilst trying to remain sticky, soft, sensitive and yielding.
This is accomplished through training a wide range of partnered drills and sensitivity exercises.
Once again, it is assumed that the student is proficient with the qigong/neigong exercises and has some growing sense of form.
Partnered drills are a challenge, and the student cannot be thinking about connection whilst trying to remain sticky, soft, sensitive and yielding.
Saturday
Good examples
Students who make strong progress through our syllabus are the people who train a little every day and attend as many lessons as they can manage.
They pass belts regularly and show a good school spirit.
They pass belts regularly and show a good school spirit.
Form
Form trains the body to move in a particular way.
An increased harmony of body parts is expected; with the motor skills being challenged by new coordination requirements.
The skills acquired through qigong/neigong training, coupled with form enable the student to use their body in a more controlled, disciplined way.
Slowly, habit patterns will emerge.
Form training is not the time to be thinking about fundamental connection, alignment, structure, balance etc - these skills are trained during qigong/neigong practice.
Beginners use the form in order to extend and explore the skills acquired through practicing the basic qigong/neigong exercises.
Deficiency with these basic exercises will result in limited skill with form.
An increased harmony of body parts is expected; with the motor skills being challenged by new coordination requirements.
The skills acquired through qigong/neigong training, coupled with form enable the student to use their body in a more controlled, disciplined way.
Slowly, habit patterns will emerge.
Form training is not the time to be thinking about fundamental connection, alignment, structure, balance etc - these skills are trained during qigong/neigong practice.
Beginners use the form in order to extend and explore the skills acquired through practicing the basic qigong/neigong exercises.
Deficiency with these basic exercises will result in limited skill with form.
Friday
Basic qigong/neigong exercises
Beginners focus upon 'hard qigong' exercises in order to gain simplistic coordination.
This enables them to move the body in a gross way.
Tendons and ligaments are stretched and basic connection principles are introduced.
Significant attention is placed upon alignment, positioning, structure, balance, mobility and good body use.
Optimal usage is encouraged.
Every action should be natural, comfortable and not exaggerated.
This enables them to move the body in a gross way.
Tendons and ligaments are stretched and basic connection principles are introduced.
Significant attention is placed upon alignment, positioning, structure, balance, mobility and good body use.
Optimal usage is encouraged.
Every action should be natural, comfortable and not exaggerated.
Wednesday
Conditional
Lineage/indoor student status is conditional.
If the students fails to live up to the standards imposed by the teacher, the individual will cease to be an indoor student.
If the students fails to live up to the standards imposed by the teacher, the individual will cease to be an indoor student.
Attitude
When your teacher demonstrates something for you, you are obligated to practice it,
or else you may invoke the following consequences of your own free will:
1. Your teacher may not correct you because your actions have shown that you did not really want to learn the skill.
2. You will not achieve the skill.
3. If you learn the next stage of the skill, it will be weak because it has no foundation.
4. Your skill will not rise to a high level until your attitude changes.
(Bruce Frantzis)
Workshops
A 90 minute weekly class is not very long; and many topics are addressed in the course of an evening.
Workshops provide an opportunity for supplementary study.
Complex drills and exercises required focus.
The entire workshop explores a single drill.
This intensity of practice leads to significant improvement.
Workshops provide an opportunity for supplementary study.
Complex drills and exercises required focus.
The entire workshop explores a single drill.
This intensity of practice leads to significant improvement.
Feedback
Enjoy the bagua and can see that it is definitely a plus for footwork and different tactics from tai chi including multiple opponents. Self defence seems to be emphasised, but so far, I have not experienced enough to really see the depth in it. Tai chi is so connected with the drills & neigong etc and I don't really know where bagua is going. However, my trust in what you teach remains high, as always.
(Tim Middleton)
(Tim Middleton)
Tuesday
Don't be lazy...
Students who are seeking to use tai chi in combat cannot afford to be lazy.
One repetition a day of small san sau takes 30 seconds.
There is always time for practice.
It is a matter of individual priorities.
Peter Southwood asserted that students are often lazy but seek to blame the instructor or the school for their own lack of progress.
One repetition a day of small san sau takes 30 seconds.
There is always time for practice.
It is a matter of individual priorities.
Peter Southwood asserted that students are often lazy but seek to blame the instructor or the school for their own lack of progress.
Feedback
Lessons are taught in a small group involving individual, partner and group practice. Students are all at different stages of learning the palm changes. Each person receives tutoring and correction appropriate to their level of practice. Partnering helps me to see how a palm change can be used and where to focus attention.
I think that it is good that the student who wishes to learn bagua with our school is asked to show competency for the first palm change. This is on top of their tai chi training. The palm changes are hard and you have to be serious to learn them. It isn't like just learning another new, fancy form.
(Rachel Waller)
I think that it is good that the student who wishes to learn bagua with our school is asked to show competency for the first palm change. This is on top of their tai chi training. The palm changes are hard and you have to be serious to learn them. It isn't like just learning another new, fancy form.
(Rachel Waller)
Monday
Bogus claims
The bai shi ceremony is typically a private event, and very few people attend.
A teacher may or may not be formal about lineage.
However, their acknowledgement is always public: everyone in the school knows who the lineage students are.
A teacher may or may not be formal about lineage.
However, their acknowledgement is always public: everyone in the school knows who the lineage students are.
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