Bagua Swimming Body Palms

by Wang, Shujin; Howard, Kent; Hsiao-Yen, Chen

• ISBN13: 9781583942451
• ISBN10: 1583942459
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-03-08
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books

Summary

Bagua Swimming Body Palmsis the second book written by Wang Shujin, one of the worldrs"s foremost exponents of Chinese internal martial arts and a renowned expert of Bagua Zhang. This volume continues the process of bringing Master Wangrs"s important art to Western readers. More intricate than the Linked Palms form, Swimming Body Palms helps practitioners achieve fluent body mechanics and the ability to connect and flow from one movement to the next with power. Master Wang, who taught Swimming Palms to only a few advanced students, described it as "swim-walking," or swimming around the body. Bagua Swimming Body Palmsoffers a thorough grounding in the basics of Bagua principles and practice, and illuminates the connection between the cultural meanings of theI Chingand the physical movements of Bagua Zhang. The photographs from the Chinese book are reprinted, along with hundreds of new photographs of translator Kent Howard demonstrating the exercises in greater detail. Sifu Howard provides extensive commentary on Master Wangrs"s writings, and Daoist master Huang Jinsheng contributes a thoughtful essay on Master Wangrs"s spiritual practice with the esoteric Daoist sect Yi Guan Dao. The bookrs"s engaging style, fidelity to the Chinese text, and comprehensiveness make it a welcome addition to any martial arts library.

Author Biography

Kent Howard is a nationally known writer and martial arts teacher. Chen Hsiao-Yen, his wife, is an artist, translator, and writer from Taiwan. The couple lives in Chico, CA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. viii
Translator's Introduction	p. ix
Author's Preface	p. xi
The Eight Character Secrets of Bagua Zhang	p. 1
An Explanation of Bagua Zhang's Nine Palaces Returning to One	p. 3
An Explanation of Bagua Zhang Hand Forms	p. 5
Bagua Zhang Single Palm Routines	p. 7
Commentary: Single Palm Practice	p. 10
Bagua Zhang Post-Standing Methods	p. 11
Commentary: Wang Shujin's Post-Standing Method	p. 12
The Thirteen Prohibitions	p. 15
Basic Principles	p. 16
Bagua Swimming Body Palms Form	p. 19
ôBalck Dragon Tosses Headö	p. 28
ôCloud Dragon Appears Three Timesö	p. 34
ôFalling Star Casts Reflectionö	p. 39
ôEagle and Bear Exchange Gloryö	p. 44
ôGolden Peng Hunts above the Wavesö	p. 49
ôWind Blows the Willowsö	p. 56
ôSweep Away a Thousand Poundsö	p. 63
ôGreen Dragon Shakes Scalesö	p. 67
Glossary	p. 85
About the Authors	p. 89
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