Tung Hai Chuan

So begins the "Song of Ba Gua Zhang" handed down by the art's founder Dong Hai Chuan over a century ago. Its message to practitioners is clear

- practice the footwork!

While there are a variety of footwork components which are practiced by the Baguazhang practitioner, the major component is trained while the practitioner walks in a circle, or multiple circles, and thus the circle walking practice has become the trademark of Baguazhang. While one goal of training the circular footwork is to develop Baguazhang's characteristic evasiveness and mobility in combat, the depth of this practice reaches far beyond its application in self-defense.

A good Baguazhang practitioner spends a lot of time walking in circles; the question on everyone else's lips is, why are you doing that?

"Those who practice will know. Those who don't practice will never know."

The Baguazhang practitioner will benefit in many ways from the circle walk practice.

Health, longevity, body strength, stamina, coordination, balance, Qi cultivation, calming of the mind, mental concentration, mobility in combat, body/mind unity, stillness in motion, etc. - all of these aspects of physical, mental, and spiritual* health can be improved through simple circle walking.

As third generation Baguazhang instructor Li Zi Ming states in his book Liang Zhen Pu Eight Diagram Palm,

"When cultivated to the highest level of proficiency, circle walking serves to regulate physiological functions by balancing metabolism, improving the physical constitution and enhancing the overall health. Therefore, it is not only a way to maintain health, but also a key to longevity. Furthermore, it is a good method for vanquishing enemies."

As Li lived to be 92 years of age, he can certainly validate the longevity claim.

Every system of Baguazhang contains numerous variations to the circle walking practice. While certain principles are always adhered to while walking the circle, variations on the theme are many.