The ideas behind the tendon changing exercises
Self cultivation is vitally important to one who hopes to master the MaGui Bagua system. One should at the very least study the tendon changing classic. The tendon changing exercises described in the classic serve to strengthen, make supple, and connect all the tendons and soft tissues of the body. They change the weak to the strong, the sick to the healthy, a body (and mind) of 'cotton and sand' to a body (and mind) of 'iron and stone'.
The tendon changing exercises that we do in the MaGui bagua system have been developed by Li Baohua who has studied the classic intently and applied his understanding of the theories with his experience in MaGui bagua, which applies the same ideas in practice.
The tendon changing classic is based on the theoretical foundations of the yin-yang theory, the theory of 'membranes', and the theory of qi and blood. ('membranes' is a really bad translationm, perhaps fascia would be better). That which has visible structure and that which has no visible structure are not separate 'parts' of the body. If the spirit is weak then the physical body will be weak. If the physical body is weak then the spirit will be weak. This works the other way, too, if one is strong it can help to heal the other. The tendon changing exercises work on both levels to make the complete person solid.
Tendons (includes ligaments and fascia) have structure and are easy to change. The function of the tendons is to connect the whole body, to give a path for the qi and blood to follow, to enable movement, and to support the spirit. If you can change yourself then these four are easy to change - that is, when you change your tendons then you change your whole self. It is easy to to see what the tendons are, to see their lines in your body, and to see where the tendons are weak or strong. The respond very quickly to training. They are connected very clearly through the body and you can feel the changes.
'Membranes' are more difficult to define and to find. Membranes are what link 'what has structure' to 'what has no structure'. It is hard to pin down exactly what they are - as they are diffuse and go throughout the whole body. You may think of them as 'cell membranes', as this gives you the idea of how fully and deeply they permeate your whole body, but this is only half of what they are. They respond slowly to training.
Tendons respond well to training but have poor circulation, which hampers their response. The first step in tendon changing is to change the qi and blood. Then the 'membranes' can be trained. Once the membranes have changed then the tendons can be trained and changed. To change the qi and blood the body must be upright and centered. All traditional training methods emphasize this, and many use the horse stance to achieve it. In other words, use the horse stance to develop the qi and blood so that you can change the tendons and thus change everything.
You control your own yin-yang within yourself. The tendon changing exercises are not a sport or pastime - they are you taking control of your life.
More writing on the Tendon Changing Classic
Li Baohua has provided us with some comments about what he will discuss at the health lectures he during his visit to Australia in 2013: "I plan to discuss the very profound, yet extremely clear and direct, teachings that Damo (Bodhidharma in Sanskrit; Daruma in Japanese) taught when he lived in China about 1500 years ago. The teachings are collectively known as the ‘Tendon Changing Classic’.
Almost all martial arts and their respective philosophies originated from Damo’s teachings. Almost all traditional health promotion methods are directly and deeply rooted in this teaching.
Damo’s teachings represent the highest levels of understanding of both the human body and life. The advice and instruction is based on ancient teachings that have been validated and proven for over a thousand years and is quite different from today’s common understanding on ways to promote health and longevity.
I want to share this incredible wisdom with people from around the world as it seems that there is so much sickness, disease and pain in modern society. People get chronic back pain in their 30’s or die of heart disease in their 50’s. This should not happen. There are even people around the world who don’t necessarily have any health issues but suffer from weakness and depression making it very difficult to enjoy a happy, peaceful life. Damo’s teachings can truly change your life for the better in all ways.
Damo taught a very clear path on the means to living a long life full of health and vitality. He also taught the highest level of martial arts and practical methods for achieving incredible power.
As an athlete or martial artist, if you have been injured and are suffering from it, the Tendon Changing Classic offers the way to a very quick recovery; For non-athletes, or those with depression, stress or weakness, if you want to be more healthy and stronger and wish to remain this way your entire life, even after you reach your 90’s, the Tendon Changing method will clearly show you the way."
The tendon changing exercises
There are eight exercises for each of the upper, middle, and lower body. Each grouping works on a weak point of the body - the upper back and nape of neck, the lower back, and the lower legs (especially knees and ankles). If you can fix these three weak points then you are less likely to have problems elsewhere. You use your stronger parts to help develop the weaker parts, so the results are very quick.
All exercises are done with the tendons and qi. Do not tense up the muscles. Tense muscles block circulation. Do not make faces and grunt (much as you might like to). Use power, but not a tense muscular power. This is neither lax nor tight. Always use your full focus and qi. In this way all qi will get to the parts that need healing. Never do the exercises half-way.
The upper exercises are all done in a deep mabu. If you are unable to do a full mabu, then stand with the feet apart and the legs straight and keep focussed and intent on the proper actions and feeling. Do not sit into a lazy mabu.
Ten or fifteen minutes a day is enough to do this set of exercises once through slowly and carefully.
