Practice Venue and Environment

Energy Bagua integrates motion and calmness. The exercise is neither as intense as jogging, basketball, or other high impact exercises, nor as calm as sitting meditation. There is no need for a large space to practice Energy Bagua. Generally speaking, practicing Energy Bagua outdoors, in a natural open environment is the best choice. In the fresh air of Nature, it’s a wonderful thing to experience the summer heat and winter cold, to feel the relaxation of body and mind, and to integrate with Nature.

If there is environmental limitation or unfavorable weather conditions such as a storm or heavy rain, it’s fine to walk Energy Bagua indoors. A flat floor, comfortable temperature, and good sound effects, etc., guarantees a good venue for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.

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Walking Energy Bagua Outdoors, Circling a Tree

Energy Bagua is best practiced circling a tree. The ideal distance between the practitioner and the tree is 2 meters and should not exceed 6 meters. Try to find a straight, strong and healthy-looking tree to walk around. Try not to use a bent or crooked tree, because in the process of walking Energy Bagua, our line of sight is always focused on the tree during every circle. If the tree is bent, we will automatically bend when we reach that point, as this is just a natural psychological response.

Energy Bagua trees needs to have vitality, but do not have to be evergreens. Each life exists differently in the four seasons. For example, some trees in the north lose leaves in the winter, but the trees are still alive with vital energy, thus they can still be used to practice Energy Bagua.

When walking Energy Bagua indoors, it is important to create a natural environment.

If you walk Energy Bagua indoors, you can choose a potted plant that is full of vitality, long-lasting and is a certain height. Wheels can be added to the bottom of the pot for easy moving.

If you walk Energy Bagua indoors, it’s best to create a relaxed atmosphere where you feel integrated with Nature, as if you have returned to Nature. For example, use a potted plant or attach a large photo of a Nature scene on the wall as decoration. If you hang a 2-meter-long photo of a Nature scene on the wall, you will feel as if you are in the mountains or by the rivers, you will feel relaxed and open, and the mental stress brought on by concrete walls will be reduced. I once shot a picture called “Grand Realm” in Vancouver. The picture is a morning scene of wilderness. The sun had just come out, the ground was foggy, the sunshine spread and sprinkled brilliant golden rays over the Earth, turning the fog into a golden mist. That would be a wonderful scene in which to walk Energy Bagua!

When practicing Energy Bagua indoors, pay attention to ventilation. Especially in a warm location, if there’s no ventilation, people may feel stuffy and uncomfortable. However, when there is ventilation, avoid drafts coming from a cracked window or door.

Walk Energy Bagua at least once a week, if conditions permit choose an open area with circulating air and a pleasant natural scene. Relax and harmonize with Nature, your body delighted, your breathing steady.

Clothing and Accessories

◎ Clothing

When walking Energy Bagua, it’s better to wear loose-fitting, comfortable, breathable clothes that are made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. A high-tech, quick-drying fabric is also suitable for Energy Bagua, especially in tropical regions.

◎ Shoes and Socks

It depends on where you walk Energy Bagua. For example, in tropical regions, indoor floors are clean and warm, so you can walk Energy Bagua barefoot. However, if you feel the cold under your feet, or you walk outdoors, it’s best to wear breathable sport shoes to walk Energy Bagua.

◎ Energy Bagua Belt

When you practice Energy Bagua, we recommend the Energy Bagua belt. This helps you feel the “Energy flowing into your lower abdomen”. It also helps to rapidly replenish your vital energy, and is especially suited for those with weak abdominal muscles or a “pot belly”. Wearing an Energy Bagua belt helps you lose weight and reduce your waist size. It also helps reduce your appetite, reduce the excess fat in your belly, and tone your abdominal muscles.

It should be noted that when wearing the Energy Bagua belt, the elastic should be adjusted appropriately. It should not be too tight.

Diet and Practice Time

During the period of practice, your food intake should be balanced. You should not be too full or too hungry. It’s best to get up early to walk Energy Bagua. If you’re not particularly hungry, try not to eat breakfast before practice. Walking Energy Bagua on an empty stomach is the easiest way to develop your potential. If you can’t walk Energy Bagua on an empty stomach, then practice at least one hour after a meal, as this is best. Don’t walk Energy Bagua when you’ve just finished eating or when you are very full.

During the period of practice, control the amount of food intake. It’s best to eat until 70% full. Try to eat easy-to-digest, non-greasy, light meals. It’s also possible to appropriately add foods with high water content to your diet, such as celery, lettuce, cucumber, apples, watermelon, grapefruit and sweet potato, which can help with the elimination process.

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If, when walking Energy Bagua, your blood sugar level drops, eat a candy or drink some sugary water.

You can choose any time of the day to practice, but it’s best to practice at least 30 minutes each time. If you want to be healthy, don’t be lazy. Try to find the time that you’re least likely to be disturbed, reserve the daily practice time, persevere, and stick to the schedule in order to achieve the best results.

If conditions permit, it’s best to get up early and walk Energy Bagua every day. For example, from 5 am to 10 am. When the sun rises, energy rises, which is most helpful for your health. In addition, if you wake up in the morning and don’t feel you need to use the washroom, try to wait until you finish your Energy Bagua practice. This is a good way to quickly accumulate the nourishing energy.

Of course, Of course, if you feel you can’t hold it then go, otherwise it may be harmful to your health.

Unless Grandmaster JinBodhi has arranged special requirements or training, try not to practice at noon, or when the sun is at its strongest. Exposure to strong sunlight can cause sunburn; and people with physical weaknesses can easily become dizzy or uncomfortable.

State of Mind While Practicing

Relaxed and Natural, Pure and Simple

While practicing Energy Bagua, your body should be relaxed, the mind should be steady, and thoughts should be light. Eyes are clear and gentle, communicating with the tree. The mind is peaceful and natural. Eyes look through the fingers at the tree, undistracted by anything around you. By simply circling the tree, you enter into a state of ease and purity. Walking Energy Bagua accompanied with the Energy Bagua Daily Practice Guide CD is a good way to help relax your body and mind, and enter into a profound state of cultivation.

Harmony and Unity, Full of Energy

While practicing Energy Bagua, pay attention to the “inner triad” and the “outer triad”. “Inner triad” means the union of spirit and mind, mind and qi, qi and strength. The “outer triad” is the coordination of arms and legs, elbows and knees, shoulders and hips. The entire body movements are coordinated and in sync. Qi settles down into the lower abdomen; qi flows into the four tips; toes grip the ground; guide qi towards head and feet; energy fills the whole body. The mind is calm and peaceful; the body and mind are harmonized and unified; breathing is even and natural; blood circulation is smooth and unhindered; the pulse beats in a regular rhythm; body and mind are relaxed and at ease; energy fills the whole body.

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Compassion and Reverence, Harmony between Human and Nature

Your body is a miniature Universe. When you are filled with compassion and reverence, you live in harmony with the grand space and time of the Universe. Like the sun, in its continuous revolving cycles, constantly giving and spreading light; in the sorrow of death and joy of growth, seeing through the samsara of rebirth; in each sowing of hope and spreading light, harvesting heartfelt love; in each step forward, experiencing the perfection of everyday life. Revere Heaven and love one another, follow the Way of Nature, flow with life, flow with Heaven, Earth, and all things within. Feel with your heart: I am the sky; I am the Universe; I merge with mountains and rivers, blend with Heaven and Earth, ride the great wind, reach the sun and the moon, and travel through time and space. You will then receive the blessings from Heaven and Earth, and all things in between; you will possess boundless, inexhaustible energy.

Walking Energy Bagua, Balancing Yin and Yang

You practice Energy Bagua by walking alternatively in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to follow the balance of Yin and Yang. Yang is the clockwise motion, replenishing sunny, positive, passionate energy; counter-clockwise is Yin, dispelling burdensome, sick and negative emotions. In the clockwise and counter-clockwise motion, you follow the Way of Nature, balance Yin and Yang, change yourself, and naturally open your heart and mind, thereby transforming your life into a greater one.

Gradual Progress, Persistent Practice

Practicing or training in Energy Bagua is a gradual process. The key is persistent practice. Some practitioners come to learn Energy Bagua due to health needs. You may feel a little tired at the beginning of practice because you lack energy. In this situation, do not worry, as long as you start practicing Energy Bagua and stick to it, slowly your energy level will increase, and you will be physically and mentally relaxed. In Vancouver, I taught a young man in his 30s who was particularly weak because of stress from work. Just standing for a few minutes, he would start to sweat. He could not even walk Energy Bagua for 10 minutes. So, I encouraged him: “If you’re tired, take a break, drink some water and relax.” Thus, he practiced and rested just like that. Gradually, he could follow along with everyone without stopping and his physical condition greatly improved.

Of course, the more you follow the requirements, the more standardized your posture and movements will be, and the better and faster the results. The key to good results is persistent practice regardless of summer heat or winter cold. As long as you practice diligently and follow the key points, those few simple postures and movements will benefit you your entire life.

This book opens a direct path to health, happiness, success, and wisdom. Transcend time and space; be in harmony with Heaven, Earth and fellow human beings, and broaden your experience of life. How does everything in the Universe relate to our life and health? Can we change destiny? Grandmaster JinBodhi reveals the answers.