Ba Gua Zhang: Techniques and Application

About the Book

The most frequent questions I was asked of Ba Gua Zhang  are that how many styles there are and what characterizes the differences.  I laughed and sighed.  I laughed because I am happy that people are interested.  I sighed because it will be a long answer.  The answers are in this book.  The students of Dong Hai Chuan  made the styles different by incorporating different styles into the system.  There were Luo Han Shou, Tan Tui, Shuai Jiao, Xing Yi etc.  However, all styles share the common theme of change and fluidity.  I started my martial arts training with Tan Tui and Shuai Jiao.  I also studied some northern styles: Mantis, Ba Ji, Tong Bei etc before I studied Ba Gua Zhang.  It was quite a rewarding learning experience, since I knew the other styles first.  However, I was told to study Cheng Ting Hua style since this is more close to original Dong style without influences of other styles except Shuai Jiao.  Whether you are interested in what Ba Gua Zhang is about or what styles there are, this is an essential book to read.  The contents are written in a note format for easy reference.  Every move is illustrated with a picture.  At least one application for each move is discussed.  Further discussions are in the Synopsis.  Definitions of palm forms are in the Palm Terms.  The basic 5 stances, 8 basic palm methods, and 8 single Palm Change sets from 8 styles are discussed and illustrated.  This book will help you greatly at all levels of study and practice in Ba Gua Zhang.

About the Author

Growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, I frequented the city parks, Chiang Kai Shek memorial and Dr. Sun Yet Sen memorial parks.  Every morning, there will be groups of people practicing Tai Ji Quan, Ba Gua Zhang and other styles of traditional Chinese martial arts in the parks.  I was so inspired by many diligent practitioners every day.  And practicing of Chinese martial arts becomes a routine part of my life.  After lessons with teachers, I kept a training schedule since the high school in the late 1970’s.  Not only I had to learn to do the moves right, but also I had to understand the applications and underlying principles.  The basic drills were always boring and repetitive.  However, I was told to practice them everyday.  The basic drills are the foundations of everything.  I studied and practiced Cheng Ting Hua style, however, I was also exposed to Yin Fu, Shi, Liang and other styles.  It was a slow process to study.  I had to learn to walk in circles, an S curve, the figure 8, or randomly.  I had to assume the Green Dragon Extending Claws posture, and other 8 basic palm postures just about every day sometimes, for 25 min, 45 min or more in a row.  Ba Gua Zhang is to walk and to change.  However, these basic drills really help me to advance more at later time.