Really, this post could be filed under "Ask Dr. Jimberly" since it stems from a question I got out our study group's training session last night, but I figured I'd file it under "training tips" instead. The basic gist of the question was on how to focus training properly to get a lot of benefit. Since this is a topic that we have experimented with quite a bit before seeking wisdom on the matter, largely due to training in relative isolation for quite a long time at first, I figure we've got something decent to say on the matter. It seems that in any martial art or skill, but particularly in Yin Style Baguazhang, it pays off for your time to "train to a theme."
