Ba Gua

Ba Gua Palm (Chinese Bagua Zhang), or the eight-diagram palm, is one of the most popular internal styles of martial arts in China. The style derives its name and history from the Chinese book of divination, the Yi Jing, or ‘The Book of Changes’. Bagua Zhang 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 Element Theory.

Ba Gua Zhang features dexterity and agility. When moving around, it is like walking in a muddy place, with footsteps changing all the time like running water. Palm tricks and body movements follow one after another. The moves look like endless circles overlapping each other. The body turns around from the waist while walking, moving, turning, rising, and falling. Palm tricks change with the movements of the body. When the upper body protrudes, the lower part of the body squats back to keep balance. When the arms are sent out, the feet draw back. When moving, like a dragon roaming; when squatting, like a tiger sitting; when looking around, like a monkey on the lookout and when moving, like an eagle circling.

Bagua circle walking also promotes improvement in all circulatory systems of the body and can bring about a greater bodily awareness and improved focus. Through continued development in all of the Ba Gua Zhang practices, a practitioner will be able to develop internal feeling and experience a greatly fluidity in movement.