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.

This revised edition includes a complete redesign with an emphasis on reader usability and modern Chinese typography.Packed with over nine hundred photographs, this comprehensive text offers theory, martial applications, sequences, Qigong exercises, weapon training, and is an indispensable resource for those serious about Chinese martial arts.Translation of ancient Baguazhang documentsBaguazhang QigongBasic TrainingBody ConditioningEight Palms sequence and fighting setSwimming Body sequence and martial applicationsBagua Deer Hook Sword sequence and martial applications

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).

The Taoist yogic discipline of Ba Gua is an internal form of the ancient art of kung fu--as are the much older t'ai chi and Xing I. Ba Gua is the most arcane and yogic of three sister arts--t'ai chi and Xing I are the others--and is distinguished by serpentine turning and circling momvements and its own internal energy exercises, Ba Gua Qi Gong.

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.