Eight animal models
Bear, dragon, snake (single hook), lion, eagle, crab, stab heaven and earth, and yin-yang fish
The eight models
These eight models give eight different postures that can be taken in the circle-walk, but so much more. These are the eight ‘animals’ that represent eight shapes, eight models, eight structures, and eight feelings. The circle is walked in each of these shapes, with their special feeling. If a model feels different or makes you uncomfortable when you circle-walk in it, it is informing you of some problem in your body. You do not need to work out what the problem is, you just need to allow the posture to change you body. Once the posture feels good, the problem has been worked out.
About Models
Each model develops the ability of the best available martial arts that use that type of posture. The changes of each animal model represent the best way in which you can move and apply the abilities of that move.
The bear, dragon, lion, and crab are ‘xing’. This means that the structure or posture of the animals are sought.
The single hook, stab heaven and earth, and yinyang fish are ‘shi’. This means that their types of movement or style are sought.
The eagle is ‘shi’ (a different character). This means that the essence, the being, what makes the eagle and eagle, is sought.
Most circle-walking is done in the bear model to develop a solid dantian and good qi/blood circulation. If you find that you hunch forward in the bear posture, and if you back is fine, you should walk more in the dragon posture. The other models each develop another aspect of health and power. Remember that the goal of circle-walking is to change the body. The models facilitate this – do them as perfectly as you can with full focus and spirit to give them a chance to change you. In our style, we walk ‘hard’ in each model for a period before attempting to do changes in that model, so that the body can adapt to its needs. Doing a posture ‘hard’ allows the body to learn how to lock out into the tendons, ligaments, and fascia, so that the structure maintains itself.
Eight models
Bear
The bear is a gentle natured beast that can nonetheless destroy anyone or anything in its way when roused. The core of Ma Gui Bagua training is the bear circle-walking. But if you find that your chest collapses inwards or you become depressed, you should do more dragon walking to correct this tendency.
Dragon
The dragon is a powerful mythical beast that can fly to the skies or dive into the sea at will. You need to have this spirit when doing any dragon technique. The eyes must remain alert when circle-walking to develop its spirit. On the external level, it strengthens and straightens the neck and draws the connection through the arms.
Snake, single hook
The snake coils its body, so this model connects though the body by coiling the arms. The snake manner of moving and techniques can be applied directly to the deerhorn knives, using the knives as a double-headed snake. Snake techniques also move like a swallow, with the wings always connected through the keel. On the external level, it develops the back and arms and stretches the arms open, and prepares the body for Ma Gui’s famous wrist striking.
Lion
Think of the lion as the Chinese see it to practice it correctly. It is always playing with a ball in statues and in the lion dance. You must never lose the feeling of playing with a huge ball. Think also of a real lion, how it settles its energy down and how it is bold and confident. You must remain settle even with the arms raised, and do large movements with full confidence. A lion appears bigger than it is because of its spirit, terrifying those who see it without even trying. Practising the lion shape develops the fully unblocked qi of a lion, and the lion’s expansive spirit.
Eagle
The special power of the eagle is its ability to soar endlessly without flapping its wings. This is the power we emulate in the circle-walking and techniques related to the eagle feeling. Circle-walking in the eagle model prepares the body to use straight arm techniques to throw the opponent while retaining balance.
Crab
The crab fights wth both claws raised together, supported by a solid body. This total connection of the arms through the body develops the ability to do a strong zhuangzhang – shoving – one of the special skills of the Ma Gui style.
Stab heaven and earth
Baguazhang is said to have developed spear skills by walking the circle holding the spear vertically at the side of the body. Circle-walking in the stab heaven and earth posture prepares the body to be able to perform the spear.
Yin-yang fish
This does not refer to a fish, but the the yin-yang symbol. Walking with the whole body forming the yin-yang symbol allows this balance to permeate the body. It also prepares the body for coiling techniques. It appears simple, but needs a high level of deep skill to perform it correctly.
In the Ma Gui system, each of the eight models has eight mother palms, for a total of sixty-four mother palms. These eight-times-eight mother palms each develop the body in a special way, develop a different method of moving, and create a different understanding of how Baguazhang works. All the footwork and techniques of the system are contained in the mother palms.
The mother palms should always be done carefully and perfectly. Never just ‘go through’ them ‘for memory’, as this develops bad habits and does not change the body as the changes are intended to.