Introduction to Baguazhang

Introduction to Baguazhang

Author: Kent Howard

Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Published: 2021-07-27

Total Pages: 226

ISBN-13: 1623171040

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This clear, step-by-step guide to the fundamentals of Bagua Zhang lays out the principles, practices, and underlying philosophy of this cerebral and sophisticated Chinese internal martial art. Leading readers from the most basic precepts of Bagua Zhang practice to advanced techniques, Kent Howard draws on his deep understanding of the art and his decades of teaching to set students on a path toward mastery. While Bagua Zhang is often perceived as a complex martial art that is difficult to learn, Howard breaks it down into clear and easily absorbed principles and exercises that beginners can master and incorporate into higher levels of practice at their own pace. Numerous easy-to-follow photographs illustrate core practices such as circle-walking, post standing, and palm changes, as well as foundandational techniques of posture and alignment, fluid motion, generating whole-body power, absorbing and redirecting energy, striking while in motion, and much more. In addition to providing a solid foundation for a lifetime practice, Bagua Zhang Fundamentals also offers more advanced practitioners valuable tips on how to increase their knowledge and understanding of this multifaceted martial art.


Introduction to Baguazhang

Introduction to Baguazhang

Author: Kent Howard

Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Published: 2021-07-27

Total Pages: 226

ISBN-13: 1623171059

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This clear, step-by-step guide to the fundamentals of Bagua Zhang lays out the principles, practices, and underlying philosophy of this cerebral and sophisticated Chinese internal martial art. Leading readers from the most basic precepts of Bagua Zhang practice to advanced techniques, Kent Howard draws on his deep understanding of the art and his decades of teaching to set students on a path toward mastery. While Bagua Zhang is often perceived as a complex martial art that is difficult to learn, Howard breaks it down into clear and easily absorbed principles and exercises that beginners can master and incorporate into higher levels of practice at their own pace. Numerous easy-to-follow photographs illustrate core practices such as circle-walking, post standing, and palm changes, as well as foundandational techniques of posture and alignment, fluid motion, generating whole-body power, absorbing and redirecting energy, striking while in motion, and much more. In addition to providing a solid foundation for a lifetime practice, Bagua Zhang Fundamentals also offers more advanced practitioners valuable tips on how to increase their knowledge and understanding of this multifaceted martial art.


Bagua Linked Palms

Bagua Linked Palms

Author: Wang Shujin

Publisher: Blue Snake Books

Published: 2009-06-02

Total Pages: 113

ISBN-13: 1583942645

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Master Wang Shujin (1904—1981) was one of the world’s foremost exponents of Chinese internal martial arts, with legendary expertise in the disciplines of Bagua Zhang, Taiji Quan, and Xingyi Quan. This book offers a lucid translation of Master Wang’s seminal work on Bagua Zhang and includes expanded instruction by co-translator and noted Bagua Zhang expert Kent Howard. It also introduces readers to a rarely seen personal side of Wang Shujin, who was not only a fighter but also a teacher and spiritual leader. Bagua Linked Palms includes a wealth of additional information useful to the practitioner of internal martial arts, including the story of Bagua Zhang’s development, the connection between the Bagua and the I Ching, and step-by-step instruction in the eight “changes” of Bagua Linked Palms, the first form in Master Wang’s style of Bagua Zhang. This comprehensive, richly annotated text makes it a must-have addition to every serious martial arts library.


Bagua Swimming Body Palms

Bagua Swimming Body Palms

Author: Wang Shujin

Publisher: Blue Snake Books

Published: 2011-03-08

Total Pages: 106

ISBN-13: 1583942459

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Bagua Swimming Body Palms is the second book written by Wang Shujin, one of the world’s foremost exponents of Chinese internal martial arts and a renowned expert of Bagua Zhang. This volume continues the process of bringing Master Wang’s important art to Western readers. More intricate than the Linked Palms form, Swimming Body Palms helps practitioners achieve fluent body mechanics and the ability to connect and flow from one movement to the next with power. Master Wang, who taught Swimming Palms to only a few advanced students, described it as “swim-walking,” or swimming around the body. Bagua Swimming Body Palms offers a thorough grounding in the basics of Bagua principles and practice, and illuminates the connection between the cultural meanings of the I Ching and the physical movements of Bagua Zhang. The photographs from the Chinese book are reprinted, along with hundreds of new photographs of translator Kent Howard demonstrating the exercises in greater detail. Sifu Howard provides extensive commentary on Master Wang’s writings, and Daoist master Huang Jinsheng contributes a thoughtful essay on Master Wang’s spiritual practice with the esoteric Daoist sect Yi Guan Dao. The book’s engaging style, fidelity to the Chinese text, and comprehensiveness make it a welcome addition to any martial arts library.


The Cheng School Gao Style Baguazhang Manual

The Cheng School Gao Style Baguazhang Manual

Author: Gao Yisheng

Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Published: 2013-08-13

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 1583946225

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In its first English-language edition, this detailed training manual is a complete guide to Gao baguazhang, as preserved through the lineage of Liu Fengcai. The youngest of the major bagua lineages, Gao bagua shows the influence of taiji quan, xingyi quan, and shuai jiao. It incorporates traditional bagua weapons, pre-heaven palms, and animal forms in addition to sixty-four individual post-heaven palms and their accompanying two-person forms. A unique synthesis of health-building techniques, Daoist theory, and practical fighting applications, Gao-style bagua is an example of the finest internal-arts traditions. The original manuscript for The Cheng School Gao Style Baguazhang Manual was completed by the art's founder, Gao Yisheng, in 1936. It was not published at the time, but handed down to his student Liu Fengcai, who edited and published the first Chinese edition in 1991 with the help of his own student Liu Shuhang. In 2005, Liu Shuhang published a revised and expanded version, and this was again expanded and reissued in a third edition in 2010. Now, the manual has been translated and fully updated for its first English-language edition. Including over 400 photos showing step-by-step techniques and forms, the manual documents the fundamentals of the art as well as detailed descriptions of techniques and empty-hand forms, laying the groundwork for advanced training. This edition includes rare photos of important masters in the Gao lineage, lineage charts, biographies, and other updates, making it the essential companion for anyone studying Gao style and a useful guide for any practitioner of baguazhang or other Chinese martial arts.


Ba Gua Zhang

Ba Gua Zhang

Author: Peter Jaw

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Published: 2010-03

Total Pages: 70

ISBN-13: 1449080146

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Originally there were only 3 old palms. Over several generations of practitioners, 8 palm methods were compiled. From these 8 palm methods, 64 palm methods were derived. Thus we call the original 8 palm methods "old 8 palms" or "8 large palms". These palm methods are the foundation of Ba Gua Zhang fighting methods. Due to diversified schools and lineages, there are many variations of the 8 palm methods. In this book, the 8 palm methods from Cheng Ting Hua style are introduced. For anyone that is interested in Ba Gua Zhang fighting methods, the contents of this book are essential to know. The 8 palm methods may derive into more fighting methods. They are like the 8 diagrams in the book of change or Yi Jing. Thus they gained the name of Ba Gua Zhang(Eight Diagrams Palm).


Fu Zhen Song's Dragon Bagua Zhang

Fu Zhen Song's Dragon Bagua Zhang

Author: Lin Chao Zhen

Publisher: Blue Snake Books

Published: 2010-02-16

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 1583942386

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The Dragon Bagua Zhang system of third-generation master Fu Zhen Song was one of the most powerful martial arts styles to emerge from 1920s China. Fu Zhen Song had a reputation as a skilled fighter and uncompromising teacher, and his Dragon Bagua style was renowned for its extensive catalog of whirling body movements and fighting techniques. In 1991 Lin Chao Zhen, Fu’s formal disciple, brought this mysterious martial art to the United States, where he practiced and taught until his death in 1997. Fu Zhen Song’s Dragon Bagua Zhang presents this challenging system in a step-by-step format, including palm forms, stepping patterns, and training methods. Originally written in Chinese by Lin Chao Zhen and translated by his son, Wei Ran Lin, this edition also features an extensive introductory section on the development of the Dragon Bagua form and the history of its lineage. The text is accompanied by 150 photographs of the late master Lin Chao Zhen demonstrating the form, as well as an illustrated two-person practice set that teaches the system’s applications for self-defense and sparring.


Baguazhang - Forms and Martial Applications

Baguazhang - Forms and Martial Applications

Author: Wang Zhang Yuan

Publisher: Igor Dudukchan

Published:

Total Pages: 117

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The book, offered to your attention, is devoted to describing the basic and applied technique of one of classic internal styles of Chinese Wushu – Baguazhang school. The work presents methods and forms of training alone and with a partner, successively, step by step. The large material is accompanied with detail illustrations accenting attention on important aspects of martial application of the technique of this style. CONTENTS: Introduction - Baguazhang history Name and origin Jibengong – basic exercises Jiben Ba Zhang – eight main palms San Ti Shi – a stance of three bodies Bu Xing – stances Bu Fa – Movements Exercises with a movements along a circle Circle conception “Palm of eight trigrams” form Wuji – infinity form Taiji – “Great Limit” form. The beginning of movement Liang Yi – the form of double order. The Single Changing Palm Yongfa – martial application Si Siang – four elements. Double changing palm Yongfa – martial application Qian trigram - The lion form Yongfa – martial application Kun tragram - The unicorn form Yongfa – martial application Kan trigram - The Snake form Yongfa – martial application Li trigram - The Hawk form Yongfa – martial application Zhen trigram - The Dragon form Yongfa – martial application Gen trigram - The Bear form Yongfa – martial application Xun trigram - The Phoenix form Yongfa – martial application Dui trigram - The Monkey form Yongfa – martial application Pair training Attack methods Methods of defense and counterattack Continuous attack Methods of defense from grips Conclusion


Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong

Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong

Author: Tom Bisio

Publisher:

Published: 2012-07-01

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 9781432796891

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong: The Meridian Opening Palms of Ba Gua Zhang, author Tom Bisio details the practice method and theory of this powerful system of internal exercise. The postures, alignments and practice methods are clearly explained and correlated with practical discussions of meridian pathways and pathologies from the perspective of internal Nei Gong practice. These discussions are accompanied by extensive illustrations, including drawings rendered from photographs of famous Ba Gua masters holding the Nei Gong postures. Also included are medical applications of Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong and an introduction to the rarely taught Ba Gua Energy Accepting Palm, in which vital force (qi) is absorbed from the natural environment.