<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: put it in perspective
Review: I found a tattered copy in a library many years ago. I was immediately interested in these movements and it peaked my interest to research the internal arts. Robert W. Smith succeeded in what he set out to accomplish: to expose the west to these fascinating and at the time little known arts. It really irks me when people can't obviously put things in proper perspective when dealing with older martial arts manuals. Finally, the so-called linear method IS combative pa kua. Experience it first hand.
Rating:
Summary: Classic first English text on Gao Yisheng Baguazhang
Review: It really does only take one generation to take the martial out of the art. Smith looks to take an art based on circular theory and turn it into a linear mish-mash to `help practitioners of other arts understand its nature'. But wait! Isn't the nature of Pa Kua circular? This book is good for very little beyond its small dose of Pa Kua history. So if you have any experiences with Pa Kua leave this book on the shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Classic first English text on Gao Yisheng Baguazhang
Review: Mr. Smith presents the first ever English book on the linear Baguazhang of the notorious Gao Yiseng as taught by Hong Yixiang in Taiwan during the 1950's. Smith's teacher Hong was famous for his no hold's barred fighting skills, and was feared during a time when all out street fights were a common event and popular pastime. Many of his students went on to become expert bagua and xingyiquan practitioners and continue to teach today.Mr. Smith never claimed to have attained his master's skill, but he did do his best to present the art for the benefit of those in the West unable to witness this extraordinary martial art first hand. This volume inspired many to travel to Asia and many more to seek out teachers of the internal arts. You too will find lots of interesting instructional advice, history and presentation of classical linear and circular forms to enjoy. Unfortunately there are a few ignorant souls among us who don't understand very much about the history and development of Bagua. This is understandable as there are many different branches. I advise the innocent to go out and find a teacher of Gao style Baguazhang who can swiftly show you that the linear Bagua forms are very useful. When you recover consciousness you can begin to study them. In the process you will hopefully learn to keep your mouth shut about things you know so little about. Sincerely, a fellow student
Rating:
Summary: the circular art of ba gua
Review: This book presents the first descriptions in English of bagua methods transmitted by Zhang Juen-feng to the Hung family of Taipei. The Hung school became renouned and feared for their fighting prowess, so I agree fully with the previous 5-star reviews. Although such forms are posited on a line, there are many spirals and circles inherent to the movements as well, and the system does include a related set of circle walking and circular changes passed down from Zhang. So bagua is circular - true enough - and the author takes things to that level, as exemplified in the circling method of Paul Guo (along with footnotes on Wang Shu-chin, another peerless fighter; just ask the Japanese who met him). Mr Guo was a municipal police officer, also skilled in xing-yi, whose bagua was based on that of Sun Lu-tang. The book does not provide details on the many fighting functions inherent to the circular changes for reasons of time and space and those given by the author himself (i.e., linear methods more easy to grasp for Westerners at the time). Think about it. Given his vast experience, it is unlikely that the author would take the time to learn and publish a method that was devoid of fighting applications. In fact, he showed many of them in his regular classes, and importantly, also taught principles on how to look for other applications. Times being what they are today, it should be no problem for the uninitiated and perplexed to find someone also skilled at the circling methods in order to lend a convincing hand. But first, give the book a fair shake, try some of the methods, and then go out and find a teacher to help you along. Respectfully, even if you are an undefeated mixed-martial arts champion, a thorough study of these practices will surely improve your skill level and definitely change your outlook on these arts.
Rating:
Summary: Reprint of the now classic book
Review: This is a reprint of the now over 30 year old classic that was the first book written by a westerner on this still obscure art. Pa Kua, or the "art of overkill," as it's sometimes called, is still much less known than its sister arts tai chi and hsing i.
After a brief into, some taoist philosophy (such as a brief explanation of the I Ching, and how it relates to pa kua), Smith gives a brief account of the history of the art before getting into the actual techniques. The introduction also includes some delightful stories about the adventures and exploits of some of the most famous masters.
There are two main basic technique sections, one presenting 18 basic movements, and a Forms and Functions chapter of 20 techniques shown with a partner that demostrate the applications. These include hand and foot strikes, traps, takedowns, and throws.
Smith then provides an excellent commentary on how to practice and some do's and don'ts. They're detailed, and at a high level of sophistication in terms of the theory, including much practical advice such as how to relax, how to breathe, how to prepare your mind, and so on. Another important point is that the pa kua techniques are not so much techniques in the traditional sense so much as concepts that manifest change according to the principles of the I Ching. If you understand these and internalize them then your progress will be great. The comments in this section are worth the price of the book by themselves.
Finally, the unique classical circling exercise is presented with a couple of variations thrown in the good measure. These are shown by Paul Kuo, one of Smith's teachers in Taiwan and a famous pa kua master who I had heard of for some years before I saw him demonstrating the form in this book.
I had just one or two final comments about this unique art. The evasive and circling skills of a true pa kua master are formidable and I once had the opportunity to spar with one and see them for myself. I being an advanced karate practitioner, and very big, strong, and fast at the time and the pa kua master being 20 years older and much smaller, I felt he was no match for me in terms of strength and that I had the advantage as far as "duking it out" and trading punches and kicks went.
However, I never got the chance to do that. The master would quickly disappear behind me as soon as I moved toward him. His evasive skills were truly a delight to see and I came away with a new respect and appreciation for this unusual art which is still rarely seen even in China.
<< 1 >>
| 
