Bagua 4-Part Mud Walk – Part 4

The final phase of the Bagua Four Part Step is to swing the pelvis forward and pull the back leg forward. It ends next to the weighted leg, foot hovering over the ground slightly. As you draw the back leg forward, there is a sense of suction, as if the leg is being pulled by the torso rather than pushing off the ground with the ball of the foot. This helps develop balance on the weighted leg, as well as a sense of connecting the leg to the torso.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1CbeHuWSvQ

It’s important to draw the foot in with the whole body rather than using momentum to launch it forward. Even when moving swiftly the feet come together for an instant in time, distinct and aware, not just mindlessly lurching forward.

This drawing of the back foot next to the other is a stability point, a moment in time where one step ends and another begins. From this position your foot can shoot out in any direction, to the front, to an angle, to the side or even a certain number of degrees past 90, heading back the way you came. Unless your weight is centered on the weighted foot, without being unbalanced by drawing the back foot forward, you won’t be able to change directions or take another step fluidly.

As with each of the phases of the Four Part Step, spend a few moments in this position, finding your balance and standing calmly. Feel how the joints and bones align, and make any micro adjustments needed so that your leg feels the gentle pressure of a spring being loaded with weight. You are now in position to begin the Four Part Step starting with the foot that just came forward.

-Jess O

Tagged as: ba gua, ba gua zhang, bagua, mud walk, mud walking, pa kua, weight shifting. linear stepping