Baguazhang: Emei Baguazhang Theory and Applications - Chinese Internal Martial Arts

Boston, Massasachusetts: Ymaa Publication Center, 1996. Second Edition 8th Printing . Trade Paperback. Very Good. 7" x 10. 363 Pages Indexed. The origin of Wushu is far and long, and its contents are as numerous as flowers. This has resulted in hundreds of schools and styles, like hundreds of branches and thousands of vines. All of these schools, after being tested and experienced through the long seasons of history, have harvested a great abundance of fruits. Today, these schools have become known for their excellence of styles. The Baguazhang introduced in this book is one of the most renowned and traditional of these Chinese martial arts. Baguazhang is a very interesting fist technique (i.e., martial style). If it is practiced often, it can strengthen the body and increase longevity. It can also train practical martial techniques, providing an effective method of self-defense. In Baguazhang practice, the upper limbs use in almost all the palms. Various skills are developed from the constant changing of the palm techniques. During the palm training, the lower limbs walk along a circle, and use swaying and arcing stepping as major techniques. Baguazhang combines the theories and patterns of the Eight Trigrams of the Zhou Yi Zhou's Book of Changes. Consequently, this has resulted in the possibility of changing during walking as desired. Not only that, it allows the possibility of actions such as the palm's boring, turning, sideways, and vertical maneuvers.