One of the first practices taught to me by my teacher Zhang Jie was walking the circle. In baguazhang, according to him, circle walking is one of the fundamental practices.
Walking the circle is relatively easy. One hand is held up and outward to the side, towards the center of a circle. The other hand is held underneath that one, to protect the ribs. Then, the walker proceeds to walk an imaginary circle, holding this posture. Zhang Jie called it 'Single Palm' or alternately 'Holding Single Fish'.
The stepping is done at first just like normal walking, then alternately there are other steps such as snake stepping, 'muddy wade' stepping, and others. As the walker becomes more advanced, the walker can walk lower, and step farther.
According to legend, forms traditionally weren't taught to the baguazhang student until after walking the circle for an entire YEAR!
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