The bear is a gentle natured beast that can nonetheless destroy anyone or anything in its way when roused. The core of MaGui Bagua training is the bear circle-walking. But if you find that your chest collapses inwards while bear walking or you become depressed, then you should do more dragon circle-walking to correct this tendency, and not do so much bear walking at first.
Bear Circle-walking
Circle-walking in the bear model is used to gather qi and feel full, so it must be done slowly. Usually a practice session starts with bear walking, at least until you feel solid and full. If you are feeling weak, then certainly start with bear walking to build up the qi.
The bear model opens up the kidneys and fills them with qi. The kidney area determines whether or not the upper and lower qi can connect, so this is of utmost importance to your health and in getting whole body power. On the external level, this model develops the strength of the body core. It helps to strengthen someone who is light and flexible but weak.
The bear circle-walking connects the whole body. All movement is done from the 'tendons'. There are two large tendons that connect from the top at each side of the neck to the same side foot. All the most important parts of the body are along the large tendon line. All other tendons in the body assist these two, so in order to change the tendons the large tendons have to first change. Circle-walking in the bear model is the best way to change the large tendons. The most important part of the large tendons is the lower back. If the middle is strong then the tips gradually get stronger. So bear walking concentrates on the lower back / waist area.
The bear walking is easy to keep balance, but some people who have trouble staying upright should do more dragon walking. The bear, because you want to really settle and relax, is more difficult to keep upright.
Bear circle-walking is not a 'beginner method'. You should always do bear circle-walking.
Description:
Place the hands forward at about hip height, palms down in ox-tongue form, so that the arms form a natural rounded shape. (Do not rotate the shoulders to point the fingers towards each other). Turn the torso gently towards the circle, until the outer hand is in line with the outer foot. Look around the arc of the circle. You may gaze slightly down at the line across the circle as the bear model is somewhat meditative, though of course do not look down at your feet.
