Baguazhang (also called Ba Gua Zhang, Bagua, Pakua Chang, Pa Kua Chang, Pa Gua Chang) is one of the three main Wudang School martial arts. Wu Tai Chi and Xingyiquan are the other two. Bagua literally means "Eight Trigram" while Zhang means "Palm." Baguazhang originally was called Zhuan Zhang, which means “Turning Palms” because of the way practitioners move in a circle while turning their palms in various ways.
Ancient Chinese used Bagua theory to analyze directions, locations, causes and effect, and natural changes in the universe. While movement is the foundation of Baguazhang, transformation is its principle. Training focuses on palm techniques and firm, usually circular, rapid stepping. In Bauguazhang the practitioner is always moving and changing, spinning, turning, and rapidly moving in curved and linear patterns. Before we look at the actual art, let’s look at its history.
Most martial arts origins were not well documented, and as we would expect, the actual origin of Baguazhang is also unclear. Many believe that Baguazhang has Buddhist origins. However, many Chinese authorities don’t accept the idea of Buddhist origins. They maintain that the Baguazhang teachers were both Taoist and Buddhist.
Most authorities do attribute Baguazhang to Dong Haichuan, originally a servant in the Imperial Palace. Dong Haichuan impressed the Emperor with his martial skills and became a Palace bodyguard. After teaching in Beijing for many years he earned patronage by the Imperial Court. However, Dong Haichuan is also believed to have learned Baguazhang in the early 19th century from Taoist and Buddhist masters in the mountains of rural China. Many of the 2nd generation teachers were Buddhist and were students of Dong Haichuan, which may have lead some to believe it was Buddhist in origin.
To confuse things even further, there is some evidence suggesting that Master Dong Meng-Lin actually taught Dong Haichuan and others Baguazhang. And if that’s not confusing enough, there is also evidence to suggest that Baguazhang is a synthesis of several pre-existing martial arts (including Taoist circle walking) that were taught and practiced where Dong Haichuan lived.
Now that we’ve examined the various views on origin, let’s look at Baguazhang as a martial art.
Baguazhang is an internal martial art. Its focus and/or emphasis is on the connection between the calm and peaceful mind and the smooth, slow external movements. The goal is to improve health by effectively using one’s energy to improve their life and balance. Meditation is also at its core. The constant turning and spinning movements stimulate the joints and muscles not normally exercised. Baquazhang’s movements also stimulate acupuncture points by compressing and relaxing the muscles around them. This loosens stagnant energy and allows Qi to circulate smoothly.
Baguazhang is also great for improving coordination, agility, flexibility, leg and arm strength, fitness, posture, reflexes, stamina, and power. At the same time, the central nervous system is stimulated which helps to lower blood pressure, relieve stress, strengthen the immune system, enhances elimination of wastes and the circulation of blood, and channels the flow of Qi through the body's meridians.
In Baguazhang, the entire body is moved as its movements coil and uncoil. Numerous open palm hand techniques along with dynamic footwork are used. Energy is drawn from the center of the abdomen (Dantian) in order to negotiate rapid-fire movements. Force is also built up by the circular stepping pattern which then allows the practitioner to maneuver quickly. This“circle walking” or stepping is both rooted and powerful. Practitioners walk around the edge of a circle while practicing their forms, stances and evasive circular footwork. The practitioner then steps easily and quickly around a circle, inside of the circle, then around two, three, five, up to nine circles or poles, “flying” between the Eight Trigrams. As you can imagine, moving around in a circle, while constantly twisting and spiraling, is very challenging. So is training to move in a snakelike way. At the same time, one must be flexible and fluid in order to move quickly from any posture.
From a martial aspect, Baguazhang is not a hard style. It teaches practitioners how to use an opponent’s aggressiveness and energy against him or her. Rotating, turning, and twisting the body is quite useful for fighting at any distance. However, fighting is more effective when close to your opponent. The size of the circle walking spiral leads the way to get inside the opponent. The secret of Baguazhang fighting lies in the powerful spiral movements which takes the opponent in. During this circular walking, the practitioner is working hard to acquire the timing and the power needed to launch a powerful attack when ready.
Common martial techniques include hand strikes, kicks, joint locks, and throws. Many Baguazhang schools also teach students how to use a wide variety of martial arts weapons. Baguazhang weapons are short, pointed, and handled in pairs, so as not to interfere with the twisting movements.
There are many branches, sub-branches, forms, techniques, and styles of Baguazhang that are often quite different. However, all have circle walking, spiraling movements, and certain methods and techniques in common. In addition to self-defense training, schools may also teach aspects of Qigong, meditation, and controlled breathing.
Baguazhang is well known for its “highly evasive footwork, powerful palm strikes and snake-like body movements”. Is it any wonder that it is considered one of the most fascinating Chinese fighting arts in the world?
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