This sets the basic foundation for all other hand and weapons forms to follow. Once Ding Shi Ba Zhang is mastered, which traditionally took at least one year, Lao Ba Zhang or Old Eight-Palm training begins. The seventh palm change of this set is particularly dizzying. If one is able to complete Lao Ba Zhang, the next phase is Lian Huan Zhang or Cascading Palm. The student will be asked to perform even more complex movements and contortions while striving for greater fluidity and constant motion.
Forms continue to gain in complexity and length, including two man sparing sets.
Luckily times have changed and one may not have to wait such a long time to study the weapons forms. In Liang Zhen Pu School of Ba Gua, there is only one kind of walking technique, and it is known as Tang Ni Bu or Mud Sliding Step. This is a fluid walking technique that resembles the motion of sliding on soft mud or clay. There are three commonly used terms to describe footwork in Ba Gua. Shunbu refers to the most common form of stepping taken only in a forward direction.