Travel To Wellness Inc.

FIT TRAVELS

BAGUA FLOW: A MIND/BODY MAKEOVER?

by Anne Dimon
 

Bagua Flow? We didn’t know what the term meant when we first heard it either. But we were curious so we contacted Maria Camille, the founder of this new internal martial arts/fitness practice to give us the 101.

A scholar of Asian arts, Camille utilized the principles of internal martial arts in her own training to become the first U.S. female to win the World Skydiving Championships in Style Competition and went on to win a total of four championships between 1976 and 1982. She went on to win three National Championships in Accuracy for the Para-Ski Team.

Here’s what Maria has to say about this new mind/body discipline:

TTW - What is BaGua Flow?

MC – The name Bagua Flow was inspired by the Chinese internal martial art called BaGua Zhang, one of the most complex martial arts, and based on the root and wisdom of the I-Ching. The art dates back over a thousand years to the Taoist Monks who used the walking forms for meditation and health. Then the martial artists in China put the best of the martial moves with the meditation practice of I-Ching together and BaGua Zhang was born. It is a very deep and esoteric art. The reason this art form resonates with me is because it takes in most of the mental and physical movements that I was performing in the air at 200 mph. I essentially proved out a very complex martial art while applying the lessons in my practice.

I created BaGua Flow based on the Taoist internal martial arts alchemy of working with energy starting from the inside, then moving outward. Because of the emphasis on breathing and moving the body as one, connected whole and circulating Qi - the radiant energy flowing through each of us - a practitioner can become very physically and mentally powerful.

Much more so than practicing an external exercise, say, lifting weights for example - because when you train with an internal focus, strengthening the tendons, organs and energy, your mind and body works together – you are not a bunch of disconnected parts.

BaGua Flow grew organically from my training when I competed in extreme sports - - the mind/body focus was everything. For BaGua Flow, I have combined the root of the practice from my training along with the most beautiful aspects of the martial art's moves to bring the mind – body together. Using the principles of internal martial arts alchemy, which provided an acute mind/body focus delivered with power, is how I was able to win four world skydiving championships - one of the most challenging mind/body sports in the world.

TTW - What other forms of discipline, meditative exercise can Bagua Flow be compared to and what makes it different?

The internal martial arts are made up of Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Xingy and BaGua Zhang. All the internal martial arts work with inner energy first. It’s quite esoteric really. But in general, it's about perfecting the inner energy (Qi) first, then working to the outside. Working from the inside conditions the inner organs and is the most healthy form of exercise.

We also use six-foot long bamboo bo staffs and beautiful big Chinese fans - - all this is combined with the very insightful teachings of the Taoist alchemy that provide depth to the practice.

So, the BaGua Flow, is derived from the same alchemy as BaGua Zhang, but I’ve choreographed the movements to make it more deliverable – think martial arts/yoga/dance class with music.

TTW - Who should consider taking it up and where can they find classes?

MC - It’s a real work out but anyone who is in fairly fit can take the BaGua Flow classes. We are starting to train other trainers so BaGua Flow can be delivered worldwide. We are also looking to work with people who would like to set up training session in their cities.

In addition, I have a retreat program especially designed for women, which will take place at Samasati Eco Retreat in Costa Rica. The retreat is really fun and is an extremely forward thinking program for finding one’s true power and the tools that give direction for change - think of it as a powerful mind/body makeover.

TTW – Maria, you've had an amazing and productive career. Why Bagua Flow? Why now?

MC - Yes, my bio reads like a good novel - - and that is exactly why BaGua Flow is the perfect focus for me now. I could never deliver the depth of the teachings and help others to see new directions, if I had not lived the life I did. Essentially, I proved out all the principles in one of the hardest sports in the world – then going into worldwide business ventures such as I did, could not have been accomplished without the mental focus and spiritual foundation that practicing internal martial arts gave me – that is what I now share with others. I am passionate about this.

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BaGua Retreats and Teacher Trainings will take place at Samasati Eco Retreat in Costa Rica in January and February of 2012. For moreon Bagua Flow and Bagua Flow retreats.