Sixth Gua Lion holds ball
Continue walking the circle. This posture can be held in multiple circumnavigation of the Ba Gua circle. Holding the ball of qi is a common move in the internal arts. When performed static it is called embrace post posture. Here it is performed while walking in a Ba Gua circle. The effects of this posture are very deep and may not be appreciated in the early stages of practice. Its value lies in the sensation of building and maintaining the concentration of internal energy through the...
The nei tan tradition
The nei tan or inner alchemical school was concerned with the development of the nei qi, or inner qi. Although the roots of the inner tradition lie in the outer alchemical tradition, it is difficult to provide an exact date for the beginning of what was to be identified as the inner yogic tradition. One of the earliest and most important texts of both the outer and inner alchemical schools, The Nei Pien of the alchemist Ko Hung, treated both disciplines in 320 A.D. The classical Chinese...
a Gua TwoMan Application Drills
There are many texts that illustrate the various Ba Gua solo forms, but few that address the art's dual-person systems. The focus of the present chapter is the rarer training method that of two-man training routines. The two-man methods, called tiao da neutralizing a strike and dzwoma walking a horse are special methods to teach sensitivity, subtleness, and opponent control. The ultimate Ba gua, like any internal martial art, involves employing subtle pressures and leverages to subdue an...
Ba Gua Zhang and the I Ching
No discussion of Ba Gua Zhang could be complete without some treatment of the art's relationship to the I Ching. Dating from the earliest records of the Chinese written language, the Ching or Book of Changes has been revered as holding keys to the universe. Although this treatise is used for philosophical reflection and or divination, it also is considered by many Ba Gua experts, especially during the turn of the century, as holding secrets of deeper and mysterious roots of Ba Gua Zhang...
Master Liu XingHan John Bracy
Consulting editors Li Zhong-Quan and Liu Men-Gen North Atlantic Books Berkeley, California Ba Gua Hidden Knowledge in the Taoist Internal Martial Art Copyright 1998 by Master Liu Xing-Han and John Bracy. No portion of this book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. For information contact the publisher....
Defense from A Rear Leg Roundhouse Kick
Stepping in while neutralizing a leg attack and off balancing the opponent. The defender at right observes positioning, weight, and intent of attacker. Body positions of two different attackers are shown. Calmness of mind must be maintained so that the cues that suggest the nature of an impending attack can be noticed. Two styles of set up for the kick-attack are shown in the photos on this page, and some of the cues are exaggerated. A defender who finds himself in this situation has three...
Notes
1. Most Western governments did not recognize the communist government of Mainland China after the revolution and subsequent control of the mainland in 1949. Further isolation occurred during the Cultural Revolution, which lasted from 1967 to 1976. 2. The term Kung fu, also written Gong fu, originally referred to any great skill. Kung means work and time, and fu, penetrating heaven. The term has become popularized to mean the martial arts of China, correctly called ch'uan shu'Vboxing arts, or...
Seventh Gua Lotus palm
The lotus palm is one of the trademark positions of authentic Ba Gua. Often the significance of the movement is not fully appreciated. Via practice of this posture, each finger becomes a flexible and potent weapon while simultaneously being trained as a healing instrument. As the circle is walked shown here in a clockwise manner each finger is stretched and reaches out forming a whole in the same way that petals of a flower form a whole. The eyes are concentrated as if aiming the energy from...
Index
Acupuncture acupressure, 23-25, 59, 124 Alchemy, 10-15, 17, 37-38, 62-63, 125 Anjing hidden power , 6, 18, 23 An mo, 127 Armbar takedown, 119 Athletic qi gong, 61-62 Autotelic activities, 45 Back of the arms strategy, 49-50, 107 BaGua North City and South City, xviii as Taoist yogic practice, 31-37 three theories, 3, 4 as transformational art, 34 35 36 turns and 72 legs, 4 yin-yang and, 40 Ba Gua Zhang Research Association, 37 Boo, 94 Basins, 68 Becker, Robert, 24 Beijing, xvi-xvii, xviii-xix,...
Fifth Gua Bear lifts roof
After making at least one circumnavigation of the circle, begin this part with a tight turn stepping pattern. The hands come close to the shoulders while the chest is stretched. While opening the back, this posture concentrates the power tight to the chest. Ideally, heat or pressure sensations are felt in the center of the palms. AWARENESS, BIOFEEDBACK AND INTERNAL ENERGY Maintaining awareness of the charged energy becomes a type of biofeedback signal which increases the depth and effectiveness...
Therapeutic Jsd
Opening the joints applies to the stretching of the ligament and tendons while maintaining connection with the body center tan tien while at the same time releasing excessive, habitual tension of the neck and shoulder complex. To perform this posture correctly relax the trapezius muscles in the shoulders as the arms stretch outward. Note diat the arms stretch upward and that the elbows are slightly bent while stretched. This posture encourages the flushing of the lymphatic system. After the qi...
Solution for Left Cross Body Hook
Ba Gua is an ideal close-range art. However, it does not stand and fight, instead it attacks by moving in toward the opponent while using advantages of body angles and foot positioning. The technique shown here uses movements that place the defender inside the opponent's area of control. Although both models shown in these photos are tall, in this case the ideal scenario would be a smaller and wiry defender against a larger opponent. In this first move, the defender intercepts the left hand of...