It's great that you're introducing Hwa Yu to children in elementary school!
The Chinese have been doing this effectively for hundreds of years. Thanks
for introducing American children to the art! Hopefully, they will continue
to practice it for the rest of their lives.

Mark

--- In hwayutaichi@yahoogroups.com, "annechaparro" <nuria@...> wrote:
>
> My practice these days is limited to using Hwa Yu with children in
> elementary school. As a class we practice 'beginning' and combine the
> mind and body. We breath together long deep breaths loosening up the
> belly for abdominal breathing. We then share some of our
> observations. Maybe if I see they need to add a little 'coolness'
> factor in order to practice more diligently, I show them one of the
> applications of the move and use one of the students to demonstrate.
> They really love it and it creates a different atmosphere in the class
> , more focused, more involved and more aware of the group.
> I like the 3 breath method described. It's truly awesome the depth
> and the intricacies of the internal martial arts. You can take one
> practice so far.
>
> --- In hwayutaichi@yahoogroups.com, "mark.mcgee4" <mmcgee@> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks so much for sharing how you practice! That gives us insights
> into ways we can
> > expand our own practice of Hwa Yu. Are you using the Animal Forms or
> Long Forms for
> > your standing, rowing and walking practice?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > --- In hwayutaichi@yahoogroups.com, "santino112" <pirate112@> wrote:
> > >
> > > When I began studying bagua, there was a method we would use where at
> > > the end of each posture we hold the position for 3 breaths. This
> > > allowed us to check our posture and relax into the movement before
> > > moving to the next. When I began learning Hwayu I incorporated this
> > > method into my practice and it gave me a better understanding of the
> > > movements that were harder for me to understand and allowed me to go
> > > deeper into the art. On a good day I go through the whole form this
> > > form sometimes holding for 3,6 or 9 breaths turning thre whole whole
> > > form into a hourlike standing meditation.
> > >
> > > Another method I use is going through the whole form turning each
> > > movement into a walking and rowing exercise; doing 2 sets of rowing
> > > with each leg then 2 set of walking each leg. Due to the hustle and
> > > tussel of day to day life I normally only practice this method on my
> > > days off from work as these take a lot of time to perform. Just
> > > sharing how I practice.
> > >
> >
>