Introduction to Baguazhang: From Circle Walking to Advanced Practices

by Kent Howard

Overview

This clear, step-by-step guide to the fundamentals of Bagua Zhang lays out the principles, practices, and underlying philosophy of this cerebral and sophisticated Chinese internal martial art. Leading readers from the most basic precepts of Bagua Zhang practice to advanced techniques, Kent Howard draws on his deep understanding of the art and his decades of teaching to set students on a path toward mastery. While Bagua Zhang is often perceived as a complex martial art that is difficult to learn, Howard breaks it down into clear and easily absorbed principles and exercises that beginners can master and incorporate into higher levels of practice at their own pace. Numerous easy-to-follow photographs illustrate core practices such as circle-walking, post standing, and palm changes, as well as foundandational techniques of posture and alignment, fluid motion, generating whole-body power, absorbing and redirecting energy, striking while in motion, and much more. In addition to providing a solid foundation for a lifetime practice, Bagua Zhang Fundamentals also offers more advanced practitioners valuable tips on how to increase their knowledge and understanding of this multifaceted martial art.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623171049
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	07/27/2021
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,004,051
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

KENT HOWARD has been practicing Chinese martial arts for over forty years. After first learning Bagua Zhang as a student in Hawaii, he went on to put in an additional 10 years of advanced study in Taiwan. He has practiced and taught the art of Bagua as his main martial discipline since 1972. A frequent contributor to the esteemed Pa Kua Chang Journal, he is the cotranslator and editor of two books by the Bagua master Wang Shujin, Bagua Linked Palms and Bagua Swimming Body Palms.

Editorial Reviews

Useful, functional Bagua training for real students who are willing to work. Straightforward, reasonable presentation of authentic material. Beginning students as well as more advanced practitioners will find it very useful.”
—Phillip Starr, chairman of the Yiliquan Martial Arts Association and author of Baguazhang: Fundamentals, Applications, and Footwork

“Although the title of this book is Introduction to Baguazhang, it is not only for the beginner. The astute Baguazhang practitioner will approach practice everyday with their eyes wide open and thus be continually reintroduced to their art. This is the kind of book that can always reveal new insights. Read it now … read it again in five years … and again in ten years. It will be a new book each time.”
—Dan Miller, publisher and editor of Pa Kua Chang Journal

“While being deeply rooted in his own venerable lineage, Kent Howard has given us a Bagua ‘operator’s manual’ that will be of lasting bene t for internal martial artists and Bagua practitioners regardless of their own particular style, from beginner to advanced. His synthesis of traditional materials with modern experimental and behavioral psychology is unique and invaluable. This is a wonderful book!”
—Douglas Phillips, PhD, clinical psychologist, Zen teacher, senior instructor in nonviolent self-defense (retired), and 40-year practitioner of Tai Chi and Bagua

From the Publisher