“Hundreds of exercises are not as good as simply walking; walking is the master of hundreds of exercises.” - Li Zi Ming

 Why do countless number of martial arts practitioners use walking - and in the practice of Ba Gua Zhang, circle walking or Ding Shi - as their key practice? What is it about circle walking that so effectively supports a meditative experience, as well as the martial artist in us? How can circle walking improve the health of anyone who commits to the practice of it? 

Learn the answers to these questions in a series of workshops aimed at guiding participants to create or deeply improve a circle walking practice that will continue to flourish as you train on your own. Ding Shi (Held Posture) training, or walking the circle with the “mud step” in various held positions, is the essential root from which the entire art of Ba Gua Zhang springs. Training circle walking regularly is the core practice that allows all of the benefits of Ba Gua to manifest in the body and in life.

• As a walking meditation, circle walking sharpens focus, cultivates mindfulness, heightens awareness, and trains the ability to stay calm under pressure

• As a health and longevity practice, circle walking realigns and strengthens the tissues, regulates the breath, and improves the flow of qi, blood and fluids throughout the body 

• As a martial practice, circle walking improves footwork, hones sensitivity, sharpens responsiveness, and develops integrated, spiraling power

 In each workshop we will dive deeply into the experience of circle walking through a detailed examination of each of the 10 Ding Shi postures, partnered applications, and supplementary practices. At the end of each training day we will have an open practice during which each student can work on applying the realizations they have made in their circle walking to their current level of material.