thinking of building a pole forest in my backyard

[mixjourneyman]

I'm seriously considering building a pole forest in my backyard for bagua training this summer. Anyone ever do anything similar to this?
Do you think it is a good piece of training equipment? How does one go about setting up the poles (what kind of pattern)? What kind of exercises do you do with it? What kind of wood do you use? How tall should the poles be?

Cheers

James

[yusuf]

Hey

I am so jealous that you have the space. I did a temporary three pole version a while back using stuff from the gardening center. Recommendations, I would dig the holes (i went a 2ft down, six foot showing of the pole when inserted), then use a plastic pipe to shore up the wall. Then fill with gravel in an open top heavy rubble sack. Then insert pole. The pole should have at least 1/2 inch of gravel around the edge to provide a bit of give when you strike.

On the pole I used cheap gardening poles but you should be able to buy untreated telegraph pole offcuts. I will do next time i have a garden.

good luck

yusuf

[mixjourneyman]

Cheers bro.

[Bär]

Your parents are gonna love that.

[GrahamB]

Mix, is that a pole forest in your backyard, or are you just pleased to see me?

[mixjourneyman]

Your parents are gonna love that.

My dad did bagua and taiji years before I ever did, so I think he will be down

[mixjourneyman]

Mix, is that a pole forest in your backyard, or are you just pleased to see me?

Is that a forest of poles sticking out of your pocket?

[Darthwing Teorist]

You know, with this money you could come to Montreal. We have sticks here. And there is Vlad, with his own pole.

[mixjourneyman]

You know, with this money you could come to Montreal. We have sticks here. And there is Vlad, with his own pole.

I will likely be in MTL one weekend in May, so we should smash each other then.

[fuga]

I set up a single post in my back yard.



However, after a couple of months of use, I stopped using it. I probably should have rounded the edges, though it did make for some precise striking.

My larger purpose in setting it up was for the pendulum that you see my daughter striking. I actually prefer that as a training tool to walking around a post.

-pete

[DeusTrismegistus]

Don't you have an actual woods or forest nearby? Wouldn't that suffice?

[mixjourneyman]

Don't you have an actual woods or forest nearby? Wouldn't that suffice?

The nature of Candian forest spaces is such that they are not really useful for bagua practice. There are lots of sharp things sticking out of trees and lots of uneven ground.
Besides, I plan on planting a garden around the outside of the pole forest and making it all zen and pretty like.

[Plante]

There are lots of sharp things sticking out of trees and lots of uneven ground.

Uneven ground is great for training balance and all. Seriously, you should train outside more, it's so good, especially during winter.

[mixjourneyman]

That is very true actually.
Though you're circle walking is a little more conducive to training on ice.
cheng style walking on ice will probably make you end up upside down

[Plante]

Yes, but it still sucks to train on ice. Anyway, bagua is about adaptation and change...