Ba Gua Zhang
Ba Gua Zhang's foundation training involves a unique circle walking practice. This is a developmental practice to develop your energy, functional power, ability to work with acute angles, and to develop mind intent.
Sadly, the circle walking practice has given rise to much misunderstanding. Contrary to myth, the idea is not to run around your opponent: (Yes, a high level practitioner may end up behind an opponent which is a type of ghosting) this is entirely different skill.
Circle walking practice creates a very powerful twisting/ spiral motion throughout the whole body. This twisting leads to a cultivation of one's latent potential force, which leads to an elastic recoil which is employed to redirect and return the force of an incoming force.
Pure Yin - Pure yang
The two primary Palm Changes of Ba Gua Zhang refer to two opposite, yet complimentary forces. The Pure Yang palm change emphases the continuous heaven aspect of unbroken projection of force, whilst the second palm change develops pure Yin absorption, which embodies the earth principle of yielding force. Once mastered these two primary changes give rise to infinite changes of force, angle and application.
The 8 Palm Changes
The fundamental practice of Ba Gua Zhang involves 8 primary palm changes (mini forms), which are executed along and across the circle you are walking.
Each of the 8 palm Changes has a unique fighting attitude/ strategy and application, which all follow the principles of internal practice. This generally is the redirection of incoming force.
Ba Gua Zhang allows for the creation of angles outside of the normal range of movement and body control whilst maintaining structural integrity. Ba Gua Zhang is a unique martial art of rare beauty and design. Traditionally it was an art that was taught only to accomplished martial artists from other styles and systems.
