A.S.K.T. - Ba Gua Zhang

8 Palms of
Ba Gua Zhang

Dong Hai Chuan - Founder of Ba Gua Zhang

Ba Gua Zhang is one of the most important styles of Chinese traditional Kungfu. Its original name was “ Zhuan Zhang” and then changed to be called Ba Gua Zhang; it is also called “Ba Gua Zhuan Zhang”, “You Shen Ba Gua Zhang”, “Rou Shen Ba Gua Zhang” and “Ba Gua Lian Huan Zhang”. The latter generations of Ba Gua Zhang usually practice it in an endless circle with eight directions.
Technical characteristics.
Combination of horizontal and vertical fast movements characterized by instant changes coordinated with steps;
Combating method.
Focusing on instant mental advanced instincts and changes of techniques deriving from constantly changing movements. As the famous traditional Chinese legend “ Zhou Yi” says: “combination of full strength and relaxation: one thing with Ba Gua principles”.

Ba Gua Zhang is characterized by restless movements and endless intention. That is the real Ba Gua Zhang.
The origin of Ba Gua Zhang is not yet very clear and there are many traditions about it. Ancient historical evidences show that Ba Gua Zhang was invented by the famous Master Dong Hai Chuan (1813 - 1882), who lived in Hei Bei Province during Qing Empire. Ba Gua Zhang style is similar to the style of Taoism Zhuan Tian Zhun, which is a physical training consisting of circle steps and techniques of attack and defense. Ba Gua Zhang primary

Mr. Yang with his Kung-Fu brother Mr. Hao Huan Shi

Master Yang - The blue dragon stretches forwards the talons

combating principle is “Yi Dong Wei Ben, Yi Bian Wei Fa” (restless motions, techniques based on always changing movements). In 1866, after Dong Hai Chuan taught in Bei Jing, Ba Gua Zhang started spreading fast in other places of China and its physical theories and combating techniques also became famous in China
Ba Gua Zhang physical bases are Zhan Zhuang (standing posture), Xing Bu (moving steps) and walking moving in a circle. The basic steps are “ Bai Kou Bu” (sway and buckle step) and “ Tang Ni Bu” (walking in mud step). Steps route is to advance in circle with eight directions. Ba Gua Zhang clearly shows that palms are more practical and far than fists in combat and that their use instead of fists is its combat characteristic method. Important palms styles are “ Long Zhua Zhang” (palms of dragon’s talons) and “ Niu She Zhang” (palms of bull’s tongue). Important combat methods are pushing, taking, bringing, removing, buckling, swaying, blocking, catching, hooking, punching, closing, penetrating, piercing and pointing.

Ba Gua Zhang basic palms styles are Lao Ba Zhuan (ancient eight primary palms) and Liu Shi Si Zhang (Sixty - four palms); basic kicks are Ba Gua An Tui (hidden kicks), Jie Tui (blocking kicks) and Lian Tui (continual kicks). Ba Gua Zhang single forms are Long Xing Ba Gua Zhang (dragon form) and Lian Huan Ba Gua Zhang (chaining forms). Combating forms are Ba Gua Zhang Shi Yong Fa (Ba Gua Zhang combating methods) and Ba Gua Zhang Du Lian ( Ba Gua Zhang combat). The weapons of Ba Gua Zhang are knife, sword and spear.
Ba Gua Zhang training characteristic is “to move as a dragon, change directions as a monkey, switch movements as an eagle and remain calm as a tiger”. Ba Gua Zhang uses calm movements to win nervous movements; it always concentrates on defense, avoids the opponents’ direct attacks and attacks opponents with indirect techniques.

Master Yang -
Talons of bears