Baguazhang



Bāguàzhǎng is, along with //tai chi chuan// and //xíngyìquán//, one of the three major "internal" (a.k.a. //Nèijiā//) Chinese martial arts. //Bāguà zhǎng// literally means "eight trigram palm," referring to the trigrams of the I Ching (Yijing), one of the canons of Taoism.


 * Styles List**
 * Yin Style
 * Cheng Style
 * Ho Ho Choy Style
 * Fu Style

The practice of circle walking, or 'Turning the Circle', as it is sometimes called, is baguazhang's characteristic method of stance and movement training. Practitioners walk around the edge of a circle in various stances, facing the center, and periodically change direction as they execute forms. Students first learn flexibility through such exercises, then move on to more complex forms and internal power mechanics. The internal aspects of baguazhang are very similar to those of xingyi and tai chi. Many distinctive styles of weapons are contained within baguazhang, including the uniquely crescent-shaped deerhorn knives, and the easily concealed "scholar's pen." Baguazhang is also known for practicing with extremely large weapons, such as the Bāguàdāo, or 'Bagua Broadsword.' Baguazhang contains an extremely wide variety of techniques, including various strikes, low kicks, joint techniques, throws, and distinctively circular footwork.

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 * Bāguàzhǎng Han Jing**

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 * Bāguàzhǎng - Liu Haibo**