Rec and Sports

Butterfly Pa Kua Chang in Three Months!

[I:http://www.uniquearticlewizard.com/extras/pics/bowzerimage6.jpg]The first thing you are going to have to learn is that it doesn’t take decades to learn such arts as Tai Chi Chuan or Pa Kua Chang or Aikido. Look, the army makes soldiers in a handful of months, and that includes some high tech stuff! And, when you add up the actual hours spent on that college course, it doesn’t take that long to make a teacher or a computer expert.

The idea that it takes immense amounts of time is something that has been foisted on us by people who want to make money. After all, the longer somebody studies, the longer they pay the fees for that cultural dojo box, the…do you get the idea. So get over the idea that it takes time, and get used to learning fast!

Now, to learn pa kua chang you need to draw a circle about six feet in diameter, and which takes exactly eight steps to go around. You need to situate the circle so it is squarely in the room, which means that if you stopped walking and straightened up every two steps you would face a wall. Now you need to isolate a weekend to master this thing.

The first rule in walking the circle is to keep the hips low and move them at an even rate of speed. The second rule is to breath evenly and synchronize the movements of your hands and feet so they move at the same rate of speed, starting and finishing techniques at the same time. The third rule is to be willing to isolate yourself as separate from the regular universe, let your attention slide off the tables and chairs, the trees and fences, as you walk around and around.

Now, you need to have basics that actually function. Examine an art such as karate for basic blocks, and curve those limbs so they will fit the circularity of Pa Kua Chang. Things can get complex pretty quickly, so you might consider taking the four basic blocks, hi, low, in and out, and spending a lot of time with each one.

Now take a step on the circle and do a slow and circular block, making the largest circles you can make with your arms. Though you have only taken one step, let your body pivot to its limits, and don’t let the block finish until you have reached that limit. When you reach the end of your body limits, reverse your turn and start a long and slow second block. Take a step as you do that second turn and block, and, again, let your body turn to its limit.

Keep the hips tucked to avoid injury to the lower spine, place the feet flat, as if trying to be stable in a field of mud, and search for grace. Be a deadly ballet dancer, slowly whirling and spinning, exploring the limits of your body. Ignore any self-doubts, and let a few hours expose Pa Kua to you.

The last thing is to search for function, because if it doesn’t work, you shouldn’t be doing it. So have a friend strike slowly at you, and walk a small circle around him, letting your block encircle his limb, and you will find all sorts of stuff. Now, I know this all sounds simple, but let me make a point…this is exactly how such arts as Tai Chi, Pa Kua and Aikido were discovered in the first place!

Al Case has practiced martial arts for 4O++ years, and has written hundreds of articles for the major magazines. He can teach almost anybody how to learn almost any art within a couple of months. Complete data, including a free ebook, is available at Monster Martial Arts.