Ba Gua Zhang (Baguazhang/ Pa-kua Chang)
Excerpt from John Bracy’s Ba Gua: Hidden Knowledge in the Taoist Internal Martial Art; North Atlantic Books, 1999
Ba Gua Beginner
Basic Guides. Training Videos. Mistakes to Avoid. Choosing a Teacher
Things to think about: Am I studying for self-defense, to become part of a tradition, or? Is it important that your teacher is able to teach you how to fight with Ba Gua? Or will your practice be mainly for health and exercise? Your answers to these questions will help you find the right teacher.
Above, our Ba Gua Zhang (baguazhang) lineage, Beijing, 1917. 3rd generation formal lineage holder Liu Bin indicated in red circle. Below, John Bracy and Chris Gulbrandson, respectively, formally lineaged 5th & 6th generation lineage holders/ disciples.
BA GUA ZHANG / EIGHT DIAGRAM PALM (baguazhang/ pa-kua chang) BASIC INFORMATION
- The below video from a series made for Chinese television introduces our style. (Note, a few minutes near the end of the video includes the story of Chi-Arts Association founder, Master John Bracy and his senior students and their training in Beijing from 1988 and through the 1990s.)
BA GUA ZHANG / RESOURCES subscription, free, for purchase & YouTube videos
ABOUT OUR LINEAGE AND TEACHING: AS FEATURED IN THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE BA GUA ZHANG JOURNAL (FORMERLY, “Pa Kua Chang Newsletter”) CLICK HERE
The Ba Gua “Guard.” From it’s roots in Beijing, China to everywhere the art is taught, this stance is the most universal of Ba Gua Zhang fighting and training postures
Lesson 1: Getting a few basic movements. “Walking the Circle” and “Single Change” are the most common practices of Ba Gua worldwide, and especially the Cheng Style
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR (STUFF THAT WILL HURT YOUR TRAINING)
1. If your training (and stepping) is balanced in a 50-50 way
This is the SINGLE WORST WAY you can Train! 50-50 balanced training means that the power and ability you develop will depend on you being able to set up a strong base. It also means that you will have to do this in the midst of (the chaos of) (the chaos of) combat. How is that possible? Combat is fast moving and chaotic. Who has time to set a base? It also means that your defense/ technique/ skill is upper shoulder strength based. That will work as long as you are the stronger guy (or lady).
WATCH THE BELOW VIDEO FOR MORE DETAILS. & ORDER THE FULL VIDEO
Lesson 2: Learning to mix relaxation with tension in new ways. The ultimate goal of the internal martial artist, and especially for the ba gua martial artist, is the ability to direct a narrow, concentrated line of force through an otherwise relaxed body.
Your first free Ba Gua lessons (and some free video!)
Correct hand shape and angle is critical to making your Ba Gua effective. This point is explained in the YouTube link that follows. LINK = https://youtu.be/hwve6U3Znlk
