The Art of Pacifism; Tuesday, Fifth Period [ 04/05 ].
The students would find a heart-laden note on the door of the usual classroom directing them to the gym once more and, when they arrived, they'd find mats on the floor and their teacher tilting his head to them.
"Good afternoon, ducklings ♥," Shunsui said. "Welcome back to the gymnasium; you should know that this means I hope you're feeling limber and, if not, then you can use this time while I talk to stretch out a bit ♥. I was ruminating, while enjoying the songs of the birds outside my window in this beautiful incoming spring, on how much everyone seemed to really take to our lesson in Aikido ♥. So I thought to myself: what else could I teach these young, spry bodies about the use of Ki, one of the central focuses of Aikido, which is the principle of energy flow and how important it is to peace of both body and mind ♥. There are so many options, and I've decided that, today, I will teach you the graceful art of Bāguàzhǎng ♥.
"One of the three main Chinese martial arts, Bāguàzhǎng literally translates into 'eight trigram palm,' in reference to the symbols in Taoist philosophy: Heaven, Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, and Earth. The creation of the art is attributed to Dong Haichuan, who combined already existing aspects of martial arts to the Taoist practise of 'turning the circle,' or circle walking ♥. The circle walking is an integral part of Bāguàzhǎng training. Allow me to demonstrate ♥."
And so Shunsui, drawing in a deep breath and taking a moment to seem to centre himself, then started moving, slowly at first, and then, suddenly, started turning and moving as if dancing, as if in a believable battle with some invisible enemy, the flutter of his haori only enhancing the gracefulness of the moves.
"Note," he said, still moving, "that I have not chosen one of you to assist me in this demonstration. Bāguàzhǎng is commonly practised without a partner; if one chooses something to focus their moments on, many times there will be a post in the centre of the circle. Many times, a practiser will involved weapons..." And so, of course, from the folds of his robes, Shunsui pulled out two blades and continued to move. But the focus is not on striking or attacking; it is on using the ability to 'flow' in and out of the way of objects. This is the source of the theory of being able to fight multiple attackers. Bāguàzhǎng's evasive nature is also shown by the practice of moving behind an attacker, so that the opponent cannot harm the practitioner. Smooth coiling and uncoiling actions, utilizing hand techniques, dynamic footwork, and throws are the focus of this art. Rapid-fire movements draw energy from the center of the abdomen. The circular stepping pattern also builds up centripetal force, allowing the practitioner to maneuver quickly around an opponent ♥. It is something that can be used in a moment of danger, and you can imagine just how moving it might be to watch two opposing Bāguàzhǎng practisers working off each other ♥."
"So allow me to lead you through learning some moves, and then I will let you all take a chance to practise on your own ♥. If you would like to partner up, please do, but remember, this is not a fight, but an evasion of a fight ♥. No weapons in partnered Bāguàzhǎng, either, please ♥."
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"Good afternoon, ducklings ♥," Shunsui said. "Welcome back to the gymnasium; you should know that this means I hope you're feeling limber and, if not, then you can use this time while I talk to stretch out a bit ♥. I was ruminating, while enjoying the songs of the birds outside my window in this beautiful incoming spring, on how much everyone seemed to really take to our lesson in Aikido ♥. So I thought to myself: what else could I teach these young, spry bodies about the use of Ki, one of the central focuses of Aikido, which is the principle of energy flow and how important it is to peace of both body and mind ♥. There are so many options, and I've decided that, today, I will teach you the graceful art of Bāguàzhǎng ♥.
"One of the three main Chinese martial arts, Bāguàzhǎng literally translates into 'eight trigram palm,' in reference to the symbols in Taoist philosophy: Heaven, Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, and Earth. The creation of the art is attributed to Dong Haichuan, who combined already existing aspects of martial arts to the Taoist practise of 'turning the circle,' or circle walking ♥. The circle walking is an integral part of Bāguàzhǎng training. Allow me to demonstrate ♥."
And so Shunsui, drawing in a deep breath and taking a moment to seem to centre himself, then started moving, slowly at first, and then, suddenly, started turning and moving as if dancing, as if in a believable battle with some invisible enemy, the flutter of his haori only enhancing the gracefulness of the moves.
"Note," he said, still moving, "that I have not chosen one of you to assist me in this demonstration. Bāguàzhǎng is commonly practised without a partner; if one chooses something to focus their moments on, many times there will be a post in the centre of the circle. Many times, a practiser will involved weapons..." And so, of course, from the folds of his robes, Shunsui pulled out two blades and continued to move. But the focus is not on striking or attacking; it is on using the ability to 'flow' in and out of the way of objects. This is the source of the theory of being able to fight multiple attackers. Bāguàzhǎng's evasive nature is also shown by the practice of moving behind an attacker, so that the opponent cannot harm the practitioner. Smooth coiling and uncoiling actions, utilizing hand techniques, dynamic footwork, and throws are the focus of this art. Rapid-fire movements draw energy from the center of the abdomen. The circular stepping pattern also builds up centripetal force, allowing the practitioner to maneuver quickly around an opponent ♥. It is something that can be used in a moment of danger, and you can imagine just how moving it might be to watch two opposing Bāguàzhǎng practisers working off each other ♥."
"So allow me to lead you through learning some moves, and then I will let you all take a chance to practise on your own ♥. If you would like to partner up, please do, but remember, this is not a fight, but an evasion of a fight ♥. No weapons in partnered Bāguàzhǎng, either, please ♥."
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