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Baguazhang |
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Baguazhang (Pakuachang), translated as Eight Trigram
Palm or Eight Trigram Boxing, is still a relatively less known martial
art which became famous in 19th century due to extraordinary fighting
skill of Dong Haichuan servant at Prince Su's mansion.
Nobody really knows who created the art as Dong never talked about his
teacher. Popular stories mention Taoist hermits living on the
mountains in Anhui and Jiangxi Provinces.
Since Dong Haichuan taught students already proficient in other arts
they later developed own styles which carry their unique
characteristics. The most popular styles nowadays are those coming
from Cheng Tinghua, Yin Fu and Liang Zhenpu, who were all Dong's
disciples.
Baguazhang, originally called "Zhuan Zhang"
(Rotating Palms) or "Mo Men" (Milling Style), is known for its unusual
practice method of walking in circle, evasive footwork and using palms
rather than fists. It is gaining growing
popularity both in China and abroad. The practice of Baguazhang
includes many training methods usually associated with Shaolin martial
arts, while at the same time stressing importance of relaxation, deep
breathing and harmonized combination of soft and hard power |
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Interview with Mr.
Ma Chuanxu, Liang style Baguazhang expert from Beijing and president of
Beijing Baguazhang Research Association - Mr. Ma Chuanxu,
president of Beijing Baguazhang Research Association and former main coach of
Beijing Public Security Bureau, is a living Bagua legend in Beijing. Famous
for his fighting skills, many times tested during fights with bandits and
criminals, strict and demanding teacher, he still remains relatively unknown
abroad. In the interview he talks about the most important part of Bagua
practice - Neigong - as well as Bagua fighting, Neijia and Waijia, his
teachers - Li Ziming and Guo Gumin. This is the first interview with Mr.Ma in
English and was conducted in November 2000.
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Brief introduction to Yin Yang Bapanzhang - Yin Yang Bapanzhang is a rare
style of questionable history. Its exponents claim it preceeds Dong Haichuan's
Baguazhang and Dong originally learnt their style. However Professor Kang Gewu
pointed out some contradictions in the history of the style and draw a
conclusion that Bapanzhang was just another branch of Baguazhang. Regardless
of the history, the style is definitely one of the most interesting martial
arts applying a very special circular walking method different from popular
branches of Baguazhang.
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Interview
with Mr. Liu Jingru, Cheng style Baguazhang expert from Beijing - Mr.Liu Jingru is a very well known expert of Baguazhang
coming from Cheng Tinghua's line. Disciple of Luo Xingwu and grand-disciple of
Li Wenbiao (Cheng Tinghua's disciple), he also studied Xingyiquan and Liuhe
Mantis Boxing. In the interview he compares Neijia styles, their powers, talks
about branches of Baguazhang, Bagua practice and other topics.
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Fan
Family Baguazhang - This article introduces one of
almost unknown branches of Baguazhang, created by Fan Zhiyong. As far as I
know this style has never been featured in famous "Pakuachang Journal" edited
by Dan Miller. I suspect that Dan believed one of Beijing Yin style
practitioners who said that Fan Zhiyong had only learnt Qigong from Dong
Haichuan and had not received any teachings on martial art. The truth is,
however, that Fan's Bagua is a very interesting and complete system.
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Bagua
Taijiquan - This article presents one of the less
known styles of Taijiquan, closely related to Baguazhang. Bagua Taijiquan,
although coming from Yang style Taijiquan, has been modified and preserved by
Baguazhang masters belonging to Cheng Tinghua's line.
NEW PICTURES !
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