From White to Black – an Interview with Irina Rusavina covering the BailongBall Grading System

I took part in two exams. In 2019, in Beijing, I received the 3rd Duan. And in 2021, online, the 4th Duan.

Which Duan(s) are you currently holding?

I think that the preparatory period for the exam does not only cover the period from the announcement of the exam to the moment of participation. In fact, taking the exam is preceded by a long phase of regular training, which includes mastering and improving the basic technique, separate combinations of elements and in the end – the practice of the whole form.

I am lucky to have my husband as a personal mentor. He is a Taiji Quan Master. He helps me in my training process, in mastering subtleties of the Taiji Quan technique.

Also, during my trips to China, I took lessons from the creator of BailongBall Taiji forms, Tong Baomin. In addition, I used his instructional videos for my training.

Besides, one should not forget the requirements for the execution of the basic technique of BailongBall – rotations, twirls, wrappings, circles, ets.

How did you prepare for the exam – was it “only” practicing of the form(s) / did you have a training guide or even a mentor / were you informed about the criteria and potential emphasis of the exam, etc.?

I understand that you didn’t have to be present / on-site for the exam and that you could instead send your video with your form performance. How was this experience to you and how long did it take to get the exam results?

It is no secret that participating in online competitions or online exams, when you simply submit a video recording of your performance, is not as stressful as performing in front of a strict jury eye to eye.

However, this does not lower the significance or value of your performance. In any case, you are demonstrating your real level of skill. Although it is possible to shoot several takes, montage or any editing of the video is prohibited.

Take my students for example in the process of preparing for the exam they sent me videos of their performance. I explained to each participant their specific mistakes; they made a new video taking into account the corrected errors. This process was time-intensive for each of the participants, but at the same time very effective. They have greatly improved their skill level during this process.

After sending the video with the performances of the participants, the competent jury considers them and announces its decision through the official Internet platforms. The jury review process usually takes 10-15 days from the date of the deadline for submission.

The study and practice of Taiji Rouliball is a process of harmonious combination of physical exercises and spiritual self-improvement.

Spiritual growth is an integral part of the training path in which a person learns to reflect, discover and explore new areas of knowledge and sensations.

Mastering and preparing for the exam for each Duan are successive steps on a long path of our development. Step by step, our consciousness and attitude to training change, our willpower is strengthened, patience and perseverance are developed.

The inner philosophy of the Duan system, which was mentioned in the previous blog, just reflects the sequential stages that a person goes through on his way of studying and mastering the Duan program.

Starting from the 1st Duan, as if from a “blank paper”, a person gradually studies and polishes new forms, masters more and more difficult elements. Complexity increases and at the same time, determination and discipline are strengthened. The “inner fire” supports the desire to move on.

The meanings and figurative descriptions of each Duan metaphorically describe the state of consciousness and spirit of a person walking along this path of self-improvement.

In our last post, you helped us getting an overview of how many grades there are and that you have to master a form for each one of them. Can you help us understand what sets the Duans apart, when it comes to their philisophies, like “Pure”, “Enthusiasm”, “Growth”, etc.?

It would stand to reason, that each Duan with its respective form has additional challenges. How big a step is it to get from one Duan to the next higher one?

I’m afraid my opinion on this question will not be objective. It so happened that I started my way of studying Taiji Rouliball Taolu before the grading system was created.

Moreover, I studied new forms in the order of their appearance – 36 forms, 24 forms, 48 forms, 16 forms, 8 forms, 42 forms…

However, if we consider the existing order, each next forms contains a more complicated set of footwork, coordination, and techniques with a racket.

But if the training process is consistent and systematic, periodically returning to the studied material, then the step to more complex forms will not be so difficult.

It all depends on whether the person has at least a little experience in Taiji Quan. Namely, knowledge of the requirements for basic stances (for example, Mabu, Gongbu, Dingbu …), footwork. It is also necessary to know the basic BailongBall technique (circles, wraps, rotations, throws).

In this case, a person can prepare for the first Duan exam rather quickly. I think that with a strong desire and efficiency, one or two weeks will be enough.

If we look at the situation starting from zero, it is very individual. An “average talented person” with good coordination, a sense of balance and rhythm, as well as with some discipline can cope with this task in one to three months.

This is probably very hard to generalize but in your experience, how long should it take an average talented person starting from zero, to master the first Duan – weeks, months, years?

In your eyes, what are the general challenges when doing forms and which interests but also skills are needed to master those challenges?

I think that gradualness and consistency and attention to every little element are very important in the learning process.

It is also very important to understand each specific movement. Clearly imagine the pattern of steps and trajectory of the ball. Sometimes some people are in too much of a hurry to learn forms. Without paying attention to every nuance, they memorize movements but introduce errors, which are then difficult to correct. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to general physical fitness, development of balance, strengthening of the legs.

By analogy with Taiji Quan each movement in a BailongBall form has its own traditional Chinese name (for example, “The breeze blows the willow”, “Hug the moon in your arms” …) These figurative names help to understand the nature of the movement and greatly enrich the practice. Therefore, do not neglect the study of these names.

The answer is in the question. The main thing is to start, to take the first step. “The path of a thousand li starts from the first step”.

The best option is to find a good teacher who can help you master the correct technique and avoid mistakes. If you do not have this opportunity, you can use the instructional video. For example, a series of blogs has been published on this site dedicated to the study of BailongBall form 8. There, the individual parts of the forms are explained and shown in detail.

What is your advice to a BailongBall beginner, who is interested in the Duans – what should he/she start with when it comes to practicing?

Where can interested players learn more about the forms, perhaps even find or obtain respective videos, etc.?

If you are interested in obtaining reliable information and videos, in addition to this website, you can visit the Chinese segment of the Internet. In particular, the WeChat app has many channels where articles and videos are published concerning not only the BailongBall grading system, but also BailongBall in general.

Therefore, learning the basics of the Chinese language will greatly help in finding information.