Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful follow up to the first volume
Review: After reading the first volume, I sought out the student group under Sifu Park nearest me and began training. Sifu Park is a wonderful teacher and holds nothing back in imparting the system which he has inherited. Volume II of Sifu Park's book contains yet another wealth of information while emphasizing the basic and fundamental concepts laid out in the first. It is meant to read and used as a written reference for those who have already learned the content of the first volume. I write "learned" rather than "mastered" because it takes years of practice to truly master the contents of the first volume. In the second volume, Sifu Park begins to build up the student's repertoire of techniques, fundamental exercises, and theoretical concepts. Generally speaking, in Sifu's school and study groups, it takes about a year to two years (depending on your background and willingness to practice) to get a handle on all of the teachings from the first voume. The second volume could easily take six to seven years of practice before one learns everything. Sifu also begins to show some fighting applications and the "variations on a theme" concepts that are Pa Kua trademarks. If one wishes to learn the exercises within these books, the videos are essential if a student group is not readily available. However, without the videos, the books give excellent insights into not only what is known as the most effective internal martial art created but also into general martial arts practice, applications, and the building of good fundamentals.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Detailed and Intricate Ba Gua Fundamentals
Review: Continues where Vol. I left off. A wonderful, intricately written, detailed book describing the fundamentals of Ba Gua training. Emphasis is on the complex biomechanics behind Ba Gua stepping, striking, and training methods, including introductory chi kung. This is not a book describing Master Park's Ba Gua Palms or advanced forms, but it is a DETAILED description of fundamental techniques appropriate as a learning aid for the beginning or intermediate Ba Gua student.
Along with Vol. 1, Mr. Miller and Master Park take the reader through step-by-step descriptions of body motions for various strikes, stepping techniques, circle walking, and basic chi kung. Especially valuable in my opinion were the detailed descriptions of the strikes-- concentrating on the all-important pelvis and trunk as the generators of power.For the intermediate-advanced student, there is not enough (in my opinion) description or discussion of body structural alignments, power generation while moving, or combat theory. I also would have liked to see sample lesson outlines-- typical training progression over a ten year period, for example. But this would be more appropriate for a Vol. III! For the fundamentals it covers, however, this book is a must-have for serious Ba Gua practitioners! Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: confusion with the volumes
Review: For those that are probably confused: The First volume is the picture with Lu Shui-Tien- the guy in the house, and the Second volume is the picture of Park Bok Nam- the guy in the hills. I don't know. I think that there is a bug, but I was able to find both volumes on this sight easily.
I may write a little later.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets not many chinese practitioners know
Review: I am a practitioner of I-Chuan and Pa-Kua in Hong Kong. I have bought almost every chinese Pa-Kua books published in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. This book had been recommended to me many times by my friends, but I was still reluctant to buy it, thinking that not much more could be learned, not to mention my more than ten years efforts in finding and seeing many of the well-known masters both in Hong Kong and China. One very important thing I've learned over these years is that the esoteric teachings of internal martial arts had been developed most of the time by teachers who did not have the real skills but wanted to cheat for more students. I was amazed at how earthly and scientific this book has finally explained the real mechanics for the tremendous striking power of internal martial arts, it tells you which muscles to use instead of the apparent movements of the body. This book teaches in the same way and language of every real masters I've met - no hype, no lengthy discussion at qi(though I do not deny the role of qi in internal martial arts)which could not been verified anyhow, but every instruction is consistent with morden physics and human biology. I'm very happy at the fact that this book is not written by a chinese, which symbolizes the art of Pa Kua has truly been taught and spread to other parts of the world.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets not many chinese practitioners know
Review: I am a practitioner of I-Chuan and Pa-Kua in Hong Kong. I havebought almost every chinese Pa-Kua books published in Hong Kong,Taiwan, and China. This book had been recommended to me many times bymy friends, but I was still reluctant to buy it, thinking that notmuch more could be learned, not to mention my more than ten yearsefforts in finding and seeing many of the well-known masters both inHong Kong and China. One very important thing I've learned over theseyears is that the esoteric teachings of internal martial arts had beendeveloped most of the time by teachers who did not have the realskills but wanted to cheat for more students. I was amazed at howearthly and scientific this book has finally explained the realmechanics for the tremendous striking power of internal martial arts,it tells you which muscles to use instead of the apparent movements ofthe body. This book teaches in the same way and language of every realmasters I've met - no hype, no lengthy discussion at qi ...which could not beenverified anyhow, but every instruction is consistent with mordenphysics and human biology. I'm very happy at the fact that this bookis not written by a chinese, which symbolizes the art of Pa Kua hastruly been taught and spread to other parts of the world.
Rating:
Summary: Look to the one with the bright eyes.
Review: I liked this book and it holds a great respect without many in the internal arts community.
But, this book isn't for beginners. It tells you his guidelines and rules for instruction.
If your looking for instruction, there is a site that contains a list of instructors in your area. There is also a ba gua group in the yahoo groups section that can also help.
But, I repeat, do not try his techniques alone, with no guidance. You will waste a lot of time and effort, or maybe even worst, hurt yourself.
That is all I can say,
Onward and upward to the ba gua community in the states.
-Calvin
Rating:
Summary: You MUST have this if you are familiar with BaGua!!
Review: I purchased vol. 1 and 2. This book was extremely well written and articulate. It clearly sums up Chinese philosophy, (an inherently formidable task), and applies it directly to the martial art form. It's one thing to read history or didactic technicalities, but the authors ability to concisely present the philosophy in a fashion that is directly applicable was nothing short of heroic! This book is an absolute must for practitioners and teachers of the Chinese martial art of bagwa or Pa Kua Chang. It will crystallize the meaning and substance of movements for students - For teachers it will help forge much better instructors. If you have never practiced bagwa, (Pa Kua, BaGua or Bagwachang, etc.), I would suggest you go elsewhere to learn about this unique system of martial art. If anyone has a question about it, feel free to drop me an email!
Rating:
Summary: A necessary book for the practice of internal arts!!
Review: I've just started pa kua practice and bought this book in order to use it as a reference, but it became more than that! The examples are relatively easy to follow and the theory behind the art of pa kua is also explained very well. I never really understood the theories of "sung" or the "kung fu body" until I read this book. The examples in this book must be practiced, however, or else it will be of no use.
Rating:
Summary: Too much biographical information
Review: If you're looking for information on Park Bok Nam and Lu Shui-T'ien, this is an excellent book. If you are interested in Pa Kua Chang itself, you may be disappointed by the large amount of space "wasted" on biographical material. It's still a good book, however.
Rating:
Summary: Superb overview of an inherently complex endeavor
Review: Martial arts in general has two distinct facets: the internal arts, which ultimately tend toward spiritual and theoretical issues, and external arts, focusing upon training and competition. Typically these lead to divisiveness in the martial arts community. Resolving these two sides of the same coin, on an individual level, is a difficult and often frustrating issue. Pa-Kua Chang is a style dedicated to incorporating both of these aspects of the martial arts. Its skilled practitioners can easily confound some of the best stylists from other disciplines. The techniques are extremely efficient and systematic. At the same time, internal cultivation is emphasized as a key to development physically as well as spiritually. Both sides are necessary. This work on Pa-Kua Chang introduces the reader to the many diverse facets of this style. Tradition, theory, internalization, physical considerations, are all interwoven into a complete and self-contained foundational work. Many of the details (read: secrets) one may wish from a martial arts book are necessarily missing. After all, true martial functionality is a social aspect of life, between two (or more) intelligent beings. Exercises and basics are described herein, so that the seeker has tools with which to pursue higher degrees of refinement. Nothing in this work is glossed over, however. Reaching a high level of proficiency of even the basic exercises outlined takes tremendous discipline and dedication. One can seek out further instruction in the interim.
|
