Seasonal Gifts

Through all of the types of weather, training, and environment we find countless ways to develop our technique further. When we add seasonal challenges to our training we are awarded with a bonus technique. It's a little tricky to explain my meaning of an invisible growth, but I will share with you notes of my training which may help you visualize.

Frozen Steps

By practicing the circle and pre-heaven techniques on the ice I found it much more difficult to have a stepping root. Every transition must be completely balanced before an effective defense or offense can be executed. Sinking the hips and keeping weight in the right area intensifies the pain in the legs. Gaining more strength, speed and balance through lower stances. The end result being the ability to be moving while completely sticking to the ground. Overpowering opponents from any position.

Dark Wood Counters

At night in a forested area with medium sized trees we can develop sensitivity and awareness. Using only starlight to navigate our steps while using the nine palace footwork is an advanced technique. Without first mastering the stepping techniques kou bu扣步 and bai bu 擺步 there is no way to navigate through the roots of the tree safely. Starting slow is best but the real kung fu in this technique is released at a faster pace. Allowing you to do automatic counter attacks without seeing.

Sun Saber

In the hot sun it is great to practice the saber and foot work to find the right angles to reflect light while attacking. Emphasizing a sword swing with out a beginning or an ending. This will unlock the combination of speed and timing using the flash of the sword between your attacking rhythm. In combat this is a very effective technique. Step so that angle of the sword pushes the light in the desired angle. Then step the other way while attacking, creating the illusion of coming from two directions at once.

Wind Sword

This can only be practiced on days of heavy wind. Practice through the sword movements at the same rhythm of the wind. Wind the wind picks up the sword is fast in continuous if the wind stops, you stop. Sometimes you can chase the wind while others the wind will chase you. This will line your breathing with the earth giving you more nature awareness. It will also let you have complete control over the cutting angle of the sword if mastered. With this ability you are able to change course of action without pause.

Stomping Snow Punch

There are many stomping techniques in Bagua just as in Baji or Xing Yi. The problem being that an improper stomp with incorrect weight distribution can cause injury. When the snow is up to your knees, by stepping precisely you learn more correct weight. This ultimately will give you a more connected stomp and a more powerful punch. When stomping correctly on the snow an explosion of powder will flow from beneath in a small ring. Long warm up required!

Dew Spear

On the chilly moist mornings the spear is great to practice Fa jin direction training. Using the hips to fling the dew in a spiral off of the spear takes great relaxation. Make targets from an outward circle and continue striking before the target flinging the dew or light rain making a small splash. This is actually training your open hand techniques to relax into the correct structure delivering more damage to your opponent. Holding the staff with the hands closer together, will allow you to develop power for breaking joints.

Rain Sticks

Using the motions from section 2 which refers to the "Way of the hands" and stationary stepping in the rain is focus training. By standing under something that is dripping from over head you can practice piercing thicker droplets of rain with chopsticks. Keeping in mind that you are not just poking with your hands but using the entire body to make the attack. This will give you precise power to one point allowing you to increase your internal damage. Under leaves or lights has worked best. The heavier the rain the faster the train.

Fog Force

By practicing movements at a painfully slow rate in the Fog I find an extra sensation that I am still uncertain of. I do know that only on the foggiest days do I run into this mysterious connection. An extra denseness, perhaps my Qi reflecting against the mist. Still researching.

Hot Shovel

Use internal stances to shovel the snow with out wearing gloves. Through focusing on the stances your hands should remain heated and warm. If your stance is unconnected at any point you can immediately find the missing circuit before your hands cool down. This develops weapon Qi training. Learning to hold the weapon while always channeling your energy.

These are just a few of my training notes. Hopefully it will give you a few ideas. The truth is you need bad weather to have good workouts.