Baguazhang Practice

The Chinese word Baguazhang (八卦掌), when broken down by character, literally translates to 'Eight Trigram Palm'. The style derives its name and history from the Chinese book of divination, the Yi Jing, or 'The Book of Changes'. Baguazhang has its origins in Wudang Mountain and derives much of its practice from Daoist ritualistic circle walking and theory. Its practice and application is based on the principles and theories of the Yi Jing, Yin Yang Theory, and Five Elements Theory. Baguazhang is one of the internal styles taught at the academy and can be characterized by its main foundation building training known as Bagua circle walking, major use of the palm and fingers for striking, and indirect circular attacks.

The foundations of Baguazhang training begin with aligning the body to become comfortable with correct posture. After a foundation in correct posture has been a established, the student then moves on to walking the Bagua circle, which is comprised of eight steps; four linear and four arcing. As circle walking is the major foundation building component of Baguazhang training, students who train in Baguazhang must practice Bagua walking continuously. Once a student becomes comfortable with circle walking, they can then move on to learning the different palm changes that comprise the Bagua form. Baguazhang contains a variety of different techniques in application, utilizing the palm, fingers, elbows, quick, evasive footwork, kicks, joint locking, take downs, etc.

Through continued development in all of the Baguazhang practices, a practitioner will be able to develop internal feeling in their movement. Alongside this, there are multiple other health benefits to be achieved from this practice: strengthening and lubricating of stiff joints, tendons, and ligaments, strengthening lower body muscle groups, and promoting greater range of motion in the limbs. Baguazhang practice can also help a practitioner to have a more focused approach to their training as well as align their sensitivity to changes in their internal and external bodies.

An accomplished practitioner of Baguazhang can adapt their body to many different movements in striking postures and methods of attack as their body and intention has been trained to be stronger, adaptable, quick, sensitive, and fluid with improved coordination; developing a fluidity of motion that allows for adaptability much like water in a creak swimming around rocks. Fighting application of Baguazhang has been described as flying like a dragon, guarding like an ape, crouching like a tiger, and circling like an eagle.