Baguazhang

Bāguàzhăng
(八卦掌)

Sun Lu-t'ang performing circle-walking
Also known as	Bāguà zhăng; Pa Kua Chang
Focus	Hybrid
Hardness	Internal (nèijiā)
Country of origin	China
Creator	Dong Haichuan (董海川)
Olympic sport	No

Bāguàzhǎng is one of the 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.

History

The creation of Baguazhang, as a formalised martial art, is attributed to Dong Haichuan (董海川) in the early 19th century, who apparently learned from Taoist, and possibly Buddhist, masters in the mountains of rural China. There is evidence to suggest a synthesis of several pre-existing martial arts taught and practised in the region in which he lived, combined with Taoist circle walking. Dong Haichuan taught for many years in Beijing, eventually earning patronage by the Imperial court.

Famous disciples of Dong to become teachers were Yin Fu (尹福), Cheng Tinghua (程廷華), Song Changrong (宋長榮), Liu Fengchun (劉鳳春), Ma Weiqi (馬維棋), Liang Zhenpu(梁振蒲) and Liu Dekuan (刘德宽). Although they were all students of the same teacher, their methods of training and expressions of palm techniques differed. The Cheng and Liu styles are said to specialize in "Pushing" the palms, Yin style is known for "Threading" the palms, Song's followers practice "Plum Flower" (梅花 Mei Hua) palm technique and Ma style palms are known as "Hammers." Some of Dong Haichuan's students, including Cheng Tinghua, participated in the Boxer Rebellion. In general, most Bagua practitioners practice either the Yin (尹), Cheng (程), or Liang (梁) styles of Baguazhang, although Fan (樊), Shi (史), Liu (劉), Fu (傅), and other styles also exist. (The Liu style is a special case, in that it is rarely practiced alone, but as a complement to other styles.) In addition, there are substyles of the above styles as well, such as the Sun (孫), Gao (高), and Jiang (姜) styles, which are substyles of Cheng style.

Modern Styles

• Yin Style: Yin Fu 尹福
• Shi Style: Shi Jidong 史計棟
• Cheng Style: Cheng Tinghua 程廷華
• Liu Style: Liu Baozhen 劉寶珍
• Liang Style: Liang Zhenpu 梁振蒲
• Fu Style: Fu Zhensong 傅振嵩
• Gao Style: Gao Yisheng 高義盛
• Jiang Style: Jiang Rongqiao 姜容樵
• Sun Style: Sun Lu-t'ang 孫禄堂
• Yin Yang Style (Tian Style): Tian Hui 田廻

Common Aspects

Internalist Zhang Zhaodong, also known as Zhang Zhankui.

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 low stances, facing the center, and periodically change direction as they execute forms. Students first learn flexibility and proper body alignment through such exercises, then move on to more complex forms and internal power mechanics. The internal aspects of baguazhang are similar to, yet distinct from, those of xingyi and tai chi.

Many distinctive styles of weapons are contained within baguazhang, some use concealment like the "scholar's pen" or a pair of knives (the most elaborate which are unique to the style are the crescent-shaped deer horn knives). Baguazhang is also known for practicing with extremely large weapons, such as the Bāguàdāo (八卦刀), or 'Bagua Broadsword'. Other more conventional weapons are also used like the staff, straight (double-edged) sword, and spear. Baguazhang practitioners are also known for being able to use anything as a weapon using the principles of their art.

    Baguazhang contains an extremely wide variety of techniques, including various strikes (with palm, fist, elbow, fingers etc), low kicks, joint locking techniques, throws, and distinctively evasive circular footwork. The Baguazhang practitioner are known for their ability to "flow" in and out of the way of objects. This is where the theory of being able to fight multiple attackers came into view. 

   Strict Baguazhang teaches that if you are to defeat more than one opponent you must first learn to quickly eliminate an opponent with fast and effective joint locks, knockouts, breaks, and other form of physical trauma. Under close examination, Baguazhang can be compared to a form of above ground wrestling. Many of wrestling's philosophy's are very similar to Baguazhang's.

Abstract Uses

According to legend, Dong Haichuan(Tung Haichuan) used Baguazhang principles when he was a Tea Server to the Emperor. He learned to effectively navigate through large crowds in parties and get to his destination quickly without spilling a single drop. His training of evasion came in useful one day when the Emperors tea was demanded quickly and there was a large gathering in the castle. His steady hands and and strong legs allowed him to speed through the crowd and avoid the emperors wrath.

See also

• Nèijiā
• Liuhebafa
• Neigong
• Neijin
• Pushing hands
• Jing (TCM)
• Pa Kua

References

• Robert W. Smith, Chinese Boxing, ISBN 1-55643-085-X
• Bok Nam, Park & Dan Miller, The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang: The Methods of Lu Shui-T'ien As Taught by Park Bok Nam., ISBN 0-86568-173-2
• Shou-Yu, Liang, Baguazhang : Emei Baguazhang Theory and Applications, ISBN 0-940871-30-0
• O'Brien, Jess, Nei Jia Quan: Internal Martial Arts Teachers of Tai Ji Quan, Xing Yi Quan, and Ba Gua Zhang ISBN 1-55643-506-1
• Frantzis, Bruce Kumar, The Power of Internal Martial Arts: Combat Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi, and Hsing-I ISBN 1-55643-253-4

Notes

External links

• Explanation of Ba Gua Zhang's tactics, techniques, movements and ideas
• The Yin and Yang of Ba Gua Zhang: The Legends of Thin Yin and Spectacles Cheng by Frank Allen & Clarence Lu
• Emptyflower Discussion Forum for Baguazhang and other internal Neijia Arts
• Descriptions of Baguazhang forms