Also
called ba gua, pa gua or bagua zhang,
it is
one of the three internal arts of Chinese
martial arts (wushu/kung fu). The one that
most people are familiar with is tai chi
(taiji).
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Side
note: Before you read on, make
sure you have a serious look
at all the free stuff inside
'The
Martial Arts Vault'!
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 In
this "soft" art, the palms
are used exclusively,
hence the name:
'Eight Trigram Palm'. This makes it distinct from xing yi (the third of the
internal arts) and tai chi styles,
both of which incorporate fist techniques.
Derived from the ancient Taoist philosophy, the
Chinese art was founded about 150 years ago,
based on the
fighting styles of eight different animals: lion, dragon, snake, bear, phoenix,
monkey, rooster and kirin. The kirin is an animal in Chinese lore that changes form.
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The movement
of
Baguazhang imitates the Taoist symbol taken from of the I-Ching, or Yi Jing (Book of
Changes)
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| The body's equilibrium and toughness are built through strength-training
postures, breathing techniques and movements that focus in on balance, fluidity
and body unity. |
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Similar to tai chi, judo, aikido
or jujutsu, the art orbits around the use of momentum. Instead of directly attacking an oncoming
force, pa gua redirects the attack by repositioning for better maneuvering.
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All movements
in should be smooth and coordinated,
using the whole body. The source of power in
is said to lie the dantian/tan tien, or lower part of the abdomen two inches below the navel. |
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Ba-Gua ('ba'
is the number eight) is the result of the ancient Chinese binary system. Each
of the Gua is consists of three little yao symbols, which is equivalent to a bit
in today's binary language. Each of this yao represents either yin (0), female or
yang (1), male force of nature. Yin, female, is two short little hyphens
with a gap in between. Yang, male, is one continuous hyphen-like line.
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Parallels can be drawn between bagua and acupuncture. With the constant
twisting and turning of the joints, muscles and internal organs during training,
it is claimed that the meridians are massaged and in turn send energy to all parts
of the body.
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The
trigram is one of the tools used in feng shui to help determine
preferred locations, in the home or office, for certain functions; such as
wealth, health, fame, love and more. |
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Please get in contact with us
here, if you have additional information
about bagua.
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Liang Zhen
Pu |
A school or style, where there's only one kind of walking technique.
This technique is known
as tang ni bu, or the 'mud sliding step'. This fluid walking technique resembles the motion of sliding on soft mud or clay. |
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Cheng Style |
Another
style of baguazhang
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Yin
style
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Yet
another style of the art.
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Wudang
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Wudang
bagua zheng is also a name on
one of the styles of bagua.
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Bagua was taught to Imperial bodyguards in
an age when large bands and gangs of thugs roamed the streets
in Beijing.
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These men were required to protect important
officials while also attending lavish parties and functions, all the while
wearing formal robes. Ba Gua practitioners therefore took a practical outlook
regarding weapons that were small and easily concealed in the long sleeves of
their cloaks. Examples include daggers, the iron fan (shanzi), deer horn
knives (lujiaodao) and brass knuckles.
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In addition to these stealthy items, Ba Gua practictioners use
some of the largest martial arts weapons ever seen. The list includes
long broadswords, spears, and the fiercesome 'Wind and Fire Wheels'.
More normal-sized weapons such as straight sword forms
(jian) and staff are practiced also. |
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