23-24 January (Saturday and Sunday)
Brighton

Download Gods + Bagua Course Descriptions + Forms

Continuing Professional Development (CDP) Certificates are available at every course Paul teaches on request.

This course is preceded by Gods Playing in the Clouds Qigong: Balancing the 5 Bows on Thursday & Friday evenings.

Although bagua is a vigorous and aerobic internal practice, one primary purpose of practising this art is to obtain deep relaxation and overcome inertia. The practitioner walks in a circle, frequently changing direction. Bagua was developed 4,000 years ago as the physical manifestation of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It incorporates the Eight Universal Energies, as represented by the eight trigrams in the I Ching.

Unlike tai chi, bagua was developed from the 16-part neigong system. Working from the inside out, the outer form was created from the internal movements. In bagua everything is practised on both sides of the body, balancing the body as it is opened and strengthened. It is one of the most beautiful arts to watch with its continual spiraling and unpredictable, changing movements.

The practice of bagua makes a person very strong, flexible and healthy, both physically and energetically. It leaves the practitioner with a real experience of emptiness whilst being full of energy. This material is extremely beneficial for staying calm whilst navigating the fast, intense pace of modern living.

This year's focus in bagua will be on Circle Walking, postures and the Single Palm Change. However, Paul will add layers of internal content relevant to the other palm changes. In each seminar, there will be at least one walking session incorporating the first six palms. For the brave and well-trained, Paul will continue the "mosh pit" wherein it's every person for themselves. The focus of this weekend seminar is how to use bagua to release the nervous system for stress reduction, increased chi flow and complete relaxation. Bagua employs many techniques for achieving these goals.

Paul will teach specific internal techniques within Circle Walking palm postures and, for those in the know, he will also apply them to the Single Palm Change to help you:

• Release bound tension within your nerves
• Reduce and prevent the rev in your nervous system
• Remain quite inside whilst moving fast.

This seminar is the first in a series of three weekend seminars on bagua in Brighton scheduled throughout 2010, presenting an excellent opportunity for beginners to learn, Circle Walking, the fundamental practise of bagua. Paul will take intermediate and advanced practitioners as deep as they are able to go.