Baguazhang (Chinese Internal Martial Arts)

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Summary: Video Available!
Review: A companion video is available for this title. Contact amazon or the publisher for more information.

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Summary: A great reference for those unable to read Chinese
Review: As usual, when writing on styles which he doesn't have extensive training in, Dr. Yang has provided the reader with an ample amount of translated documents. Included in this book are sections of Sun Lu Tang's *The Study of Baguazhang* and *The Real Meaning of Boxing,* neither of which have been released for general publication in English yet. The basic 8 palms Master Liang presents comprises the basic Baguazhang set that seems to have been taught at the Central Kuoshu Institute at Nanking. The lineage is Fu Chen-Sung's, and the form is also known by the name of "Old Eight Palms." A good standard form with a decent presentation. As usual, Master Liang concentrates heavily on the Shuaijiao elements of the form (as he did in his book on simplified Taijiquan). The "Swimming Dragon" form presented seems to have come from Sun Lu Tang's lineage. I have no clue as to where the Deer Horn Swords form comes from. While Dr. Yang and Master Liang do a pretty decent job of delineating general Baguazhang principles, as usual, when presenting form and application, the level isn't as high as most would like. The form, while more than compentantly demonstrated, doesn't give a good presentation of the precision footwork that is one of the trademarks of Baguazhang. The applications shown within are done at the lowest level; it would have been nice to see greater variations on technique based on simple things, such has a different positioning of the forward palm or smaller stepping, although I realize that due to the sophistication of the art and philosophy behind it, doing so would have been difficult. All in all, it's a good book to have if one is interested in pursuing Baguazhang. As a reference book, it's great. However, if one wishes to get a more in-depth look to the art via training methods, I would recommend Sifu Park Bok Nam and Dan Miller's *Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang.*

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Summary: Excellent Book Excellent Teamwork
Review: For the general mass of Martial Artists who enjoy being pulled by the tail through their martial arts program, I have some advice to offer: don't get this book. If you are looking for a 'ba gua how to' book for dummies, then you're barking at the wrong door.
Dr. Yang and Liang combine to put together what may be considered a compilation of research on Baguzhang that will leave the reader both baffled as well as inspired. The 'theoretical' aspect is not to be trifled with here and NOT for the mere historian. It is for the martial artist through and through. Give it to the historian and you give it to the door. The theoretical aspects of the art as laid down by Dr. Yang in this book are absolutely essential to gaining a deeper understanding of why BaGua is what it is, and anyone who would preach differently simply has not understood what the martial art is or simply has not understood the theory. BaGua is, in some respects, a 'mental' art. Furthermore, the forms and sequences, the training aspects of the art, as given in the book are offered as a 'taste' of what the art is. One cannot possibly offer all aspects of the art in a single book and perhaps not in 10 volumes on the subject - it is just too enormous, and this should lead one to consider the fact that without theory, that is, without principles for the proper application of and study of an art, which is precisely what this book offers, together with the basic training materials and movements, it is impossible to develop and attain any degree of perfection. Perfection does not come through the leash, it comes through understanding and creative application of one's principles. This book will help those who are truly interested in learning, to learn. It is a guide to the art, offering thousands of years of research upon a single platter. That, in itself, should be enough reason for the dedicated martial artist to buy this book and to seek to understand its contents through and through.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book Excellent Teamwork
Review: For the general mass of Martial Artists who enjoy being pulled by the tail through their martial arts program, I have some advice to offer: don't get this book. If you are looking for a 'ba gua how to' book for dummies, then you're barking at the wrong door.
Dr. Yang and Liang combine to put together what may be considered a compilation of research on Baguzhang that will leave the reader both baffled as well as inspired. The 'theoretical' aspect is not to be trifled with here and NOT for the mere historian. It is for the martial artist through and through. Give it to the historian and you give it to the door. The theoretical aspects of the art as laid down by Dr. Yang in this book are absolutely essential to gaining a deeper understanding of why BaGua is what it is, and anyone who would preach differently simply has not understood what the martial art is or simply has not understood the theory. BaGua is, in some respects, a 'mental' art. Furthermore, the forms and sequences, the training aspects of the art, as given in the book are offered as a 'taste' of what the art is. One cannot possibly offer all aspects of the art in a single book and perhaps not in 10 volumes on the subject - it is just too enormous, and this should lead one to consider the fact that without theory, that is, without principles for the proper application of and study of an art, which is precisely what this book offers, together with the basic training materials and movements, it is impossible to develop and attain any degree of perfection. Perfection does not come through the leash, it comes through understanding and creative application of one's principles. This book will help those who are truly interested in learning, to learn. It is a guide to the art, offering thousands of years of research upon a single platter. That, in itself, should be enough reason for the dedicated martial artist to buy this book and to seek to understand its contents through and through.

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Summary: Bagua for the newbie, from a newbie. 8)
Review: Great book. But I don't know if I can truly speak up for the writers or the Ba Gua community that is here in U.S. or in the world as a whole. I have only 2-3 months experience as a Baguaman (person who practices bagua), but I have more than 2 years experience in martial arts ranging from karate to aikido to kung fu, tai chi and bagua. So, I know a little; but not a lot to really give an opinion based on experience.

But, I have an intuitive feel from most the martial arts and sports I have practiced, so I will give from that in order to help.

This is a good book, I think. There is no other book that is available in the U.S. that has the level of experience necessary to fully explain what some of the masters from China have written.

There are other good books, but none have translated ancient texts like Dr. Yang has done.

So, I if want to know something deeper, different strategies, or different ideas of this art, this is a keeper. 8)

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Summary: The beginning of a new art.
Review: I have an intuitive feel from most the martial arts and sports I have practiced, so I will give from that in order to help.

I have a lot of instruction in the area of sports and martial arts. The one thing I have learned that has stayed with me is to give 110% in everything you do. This gives light to the fact that martial arts are work - and they require a lot of time and effort. Not only must one bust their butts during the class, but they must also bust their butts outside of class. Homework. All sports or martial arts require homework. Without this practice in the classroom will never improve. So basically your time, energy, and money are wasted. Remember this while searching for a teacher or coach.

This is a good book. There is no other book that is available in the U.S. that has the level of experience necessary to fully explain what some of the masters from China have written.

There are other good books, but none have translated ancient texts like Dr. Yang has done.

-Calvin.

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Summary: Comprehensive Overview
Review: I have this book. I also own two of the tapes that go along with it. I'd agree with other reviews-- as comprehensive a history and lineage tree as you're likely to find (still incomplete, however, and some errors in lineage, too, but it's an impossible task). The forms as demonstrated in the video have a WuShu flavor to them, and the Eight Palms depicted seems to bear considerable resemblance to WuDang Ba Gua technique-wise and energy-wise, although the sequence appears out of order. Sequence and technique-wise, they strongly resemble Original Palms from Fu Family, but the energy of them in the video is WuShu.

I'd also agree with the opinons about applications-- too simple, pictures scattered about. Nice fundamental descriptions of movements in the form, but not a lot about internal work or energy mechanics-- the more advanced concepts inherent in the forms.

The translations of classic Chinese texts are invaluable-- but I'd like to point out to San Angelo, TX that a translation of "Sun Lu Tang's Study of Bu Gua Zhang" is available from Joseph Crandell's Smiling Tiger Publications, sold online at many internal martial arts websites.

Nice overview of Ba Gua, with a beginning, intermediate, and weapons form to demonstrate flavor. Short on applications
or advanced body structure/energy work.

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Summary: A Complete Course in one Book!
Review: I study Bagua and loved this book. It is a deep read with years worth of information. You can really learn Bagua, one of China's internal martial arts from it.

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Summary: Comprehensive. Easy to follow. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Review: Nice

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Summary: Beautiful, poetic, and historically complete introduction.
Review: This book provides the most complete history of Baguazhang to be found in print in the English language. It also uniquely contains the poetry of Bagua, which holds its fighting principles.

This book, like pretty much everything from Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming, provides almost more high-quality theoretical detail than we as readers ought to be able to expect. As usual, Dr. Yang and Master Liang take great care in illustrating the artistic aspects of the art through copious photographs. Another Yang trademark contained herein is the complete mismatch of photographs with textual explanation.

Almost invariably, one can expect to find the text corresponding to a given photo on a completely different page than the photo itself. He constantly uses the "see Figure 18-3" approach to technique illustration. This makes Yang's books very inconvenient to use for reference, and this one is certainly no exception.

Disappointingly, and also as per usual, very little technical focus is given to the actual combat application of the techniques contained in the art. What little is provided, is mixed in rather haphazardly with the solo practice form photos, rendering it out-of-context at best.

There is no systematized categorical structure to the organization of the combat techniques, which might allow a student to evaluate how Baguazhang would respond to standard forms of attack. Were this provided, it might also allow the reader to make easier contrasts and comparisons of Baguazhang to other styles with which they might be more familiar.

Overall, one can come away from this book knowing much about the theoretical, philosophical, aesthetic, and historical nuances of Baguazhang, but still not have learned a darn thing about how to actually fight. And where the rubber hits the road, that's still eventually what it's all about. And it's especially unfortunate given Baguazhang's extremely effective fighting methods; it's often referred to as a style designed to defeat martial artists.

Bottom Line: a must have book for martial arts historians. In that respect, it establishes a new and higher standard. For those looking for real self-defense skills, a nearly complete waste of time and a disappointing let-down, considering Master Liang's skill at Bagua.