Pushing Millstone Palm of Baguazhang

The last Standing Palm posture is the main posture for Baguazhang practice, and you can add it as a fifth posture for your standing practice.

Assume the left Universal Post Posture on the edge of the circle facing in the counterclockwise direction. Drop the heel of the left foot and place your hands into the Trinity Posture positions. Then turn your upper body so the forefinger of the left hand aligns with the center of the circle.

The right hand will move naturally to the left as you turn. Bend the elbow of the right arm and stand the right hand up so that the fingers are under the left elbow.

It is easy to pull the right shoulder forward when assuming this posture; do not. Keep the shoulders in the Wuji Posture alignment.

Walk the circle and perform a Simple Change. The right hand pierces under the left hand, and the left hand pulls back to the waist as you toe-out. Imagine that you are tearing a piece of cloth as you make this change.

Pushing Millstone Palm as a Mother Palm of Baguazhang

You might think this is the primary palm position for Baguazhang’s martial applications. That is not true. If you are pursuing Baguazhang practice to make yourself a better boxer, then you need to study the Standing Palms with the Single Palm Change, Double Palm Change, and Snake Palm Change to change directions on the circle.

Adding this palm to your Standing Practice is a key to understanding the dual nature of Baguazhang’s walking practice. When walking the circle in the Standing Palms, your upper torso has become increasingly twisted toward the center of the circle as you progressed from Lowering Palm to Pushing Millstone. Meanwhile, your lower body has been trying to maintain a consistent circle with its stepping pattern. The result is a feeling that your lower body is walking away from the center, while your torso is holding onto the center. This dynamic force is the secret to Baguazhang’s health and martial benefits.