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 translation). 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.
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.
