Customer Reviews

Baguazhang: Emei Baguazhang Theory and Applications (Chinese Internal Martial Arts)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As usual, when writing on styles which he doesn't have extensive training in, Dr. Yang has provided the reader with an ample amount of translated documents. Included in this book are sections of Sun Lu Tang's *The Study of Baguazhang* and *The Real Meaning of Boxing,* neither of which have been released for general publication in English yet. The basic 8 palms Master Liang presents comprises the basic Baguazhang set that seems to have been taught at the Central Kuoshu Institute at Nanking. The lineage is Fu Chen-Sung's, and the form is also known by the name of "Old Eight Palms." A good standard form with a decent presentation. As usual, Master Liang concentrates heavily on the Shuaijiao elements of the form (as he did in his book on simplified Taijiquan). The "Swimming Dragon" form presented seems to have come from Sun Lu Tang's lineage. I have no clue as to where the Deer Horn Swords form comes from. While Dr. Yang and Master Liang do a pretty decent job of delineating general Baguazhang principles, as usual, when presenting form and application, the level isn't as high as most would like. The form, while more than compentantly demonstrated, doesn't give a good presentation of the precision footwork that is one of the trademarks of Baguazhang. The applications shown within are done at the lowest level; it would have been nice to see greater variations on technique based on simple things, such has a different positioning of the forward palm or smaller stepping, although I realize that due to the sophistication of the art and philosophy behind it, doing so would have been difficult. All in all, it's a good book to have if one is interested in pursuing Baguazhang. As a reference book, it's great. However, if one wishes to get a more in-depth look to the art via training methods, I would recommend Sifu Park Bok Nam and Dan Miller's *Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang.*

This book provides the most complete history of Baguazhang to be found in print in the English language. It also uniquely contains the poetry of Bagua, which holds its fighting principles.

This book, like pretty much everything from Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming, provides almost more high-quality theoretical detail than we as readers ought to be able to expect. As usual, Dr. Yang and Master Liang take great care in illustrating the artistic aspects of the art through copious photographs. Another Yang trademark contained herein is the complete mismatch of photographs with textual explanation.

Almost invariably, one can expect to find the text corresponding to a given photo on a completely different page than the photo itself. He constantly uses the "see Figure 18-3" approach to technique illustration. This makes Yang's books very inconvenient to use for reference, and this one is certainly no exception.

Disappointingly, and also as per usual, very little technical focus is given to the actual combat application of the techniques contained in the art. What little is provided, is mixed in rather haphazardly with the solo practice form photos, rendering it out-of-context at best.

There is no systematized categorical structure to the organization of the combat techniques, which might allow a student to evaluate how Baguazhang would respond to standard forms of attack. Were this provided, it might also allow the reader to make easier contrasts and comparisons of Baguazhang to other styles with which they might be more familiar.

Overall, one can come away from this book knowing much about the theoretical, philosophical, aesthetic, and historical nuances of Baguazhang, but still not have learned a darn thing about how to actually fight. And where the rubber hits the road, that's still eventually what it's all about. And it's especially unfortunate given Baguazhang's extremely effective fighting methods; it's often referred to as a style designed to defeat martial artists.

Bottom Line: a must have book for martial arts historians. In that respect, it establishes a new and higher standard. For those looking for real self-defense skills, a nearly complete waste of time and a disappointing let-down, considering Master Liang's skill at Bagua.

I have this book. I also own two of the tapes that go along with it. I'd agree with other reviews-- as comprehensive a history and lineage tree as you're likely to find (still incomplete, however, and some errors in lineage, too, but it's an impossible task). The forms as demonstrated in the video have a WuShu flavor to them, and the Eight Palms depicted seems to bear considerable resemblance to WuDang Ba Gua technique-wise and energy-wise, although the sequence appears out of order. Sequence and technique-wise, they strongly resemble Original Palms from Fu Family, but the energy of them in the video is WuShu.

I'd also agree with the opinons about applications-- too simple, pictures scattered about. Nice fundamental descriptions of movements in the form, but not a lot about internal work or energy mechanics-- the more advanced concepts inherent in the forms.

The translations of classic Chinese texts are invaluable-- but I'd like to point out to San Angelo, TX that a translation of "Sun Lu Tang's Study of Bu Gua Zhang" is available from Joseph Crandell's Smiling Tiger Publications, sold online at many internal martial arts websites.

Nice overview of Ba Gua, with a beginning, intermediate, and weapons form to demonstrate flavor. Short on applications
or advanced body structure/energy work.

For the general mass of Martial Artists who enjoy being pulled by the tail through their martial arts program, I have some advice to offer: don't get this book. If you are looking for a 'ba gua how to' book for dummies, then you're barking at the wrong door.
Dr. Yang and Liang combine to put together what may be considered a compilation of research on Baguzhang that will leave the reader both baffled as well as inspired. The 'theoretical' aspect is not to be trifled with here and NOT for the mere historian. It is for the martial artist through and through. Give it to the historian and you give it to the door. The theoretical aspects of the art as laid down by Dr. Yang in this book are absolutely essential to gaining a deeper understanding of why BaGua is what it is, and anyone who would preach differently simply has not understood what the martial art is or simply has not understood the theory. BaGua is, in some respects, a 'mental' art. Furthermore, the forms and sequences, the training aspects of the art, as given in the book are offered as a 'taste' of what the art is. One cannot possibly offer all aspects of the art in a single book and perhaps not in 10 volumes on the subject - it is just too enormous, and this should lead one to consider the fact that without theory, that is, without principles for the proper application of and study of an art, which is precisely what this book offers, together with the basic training materials and movements, it is impossible to develop and attain any degree of perfection. Perfection does not come through the leash, it comes through understanding and creative application of one's principles. This book will help those who are truly interested in learning, to learn. It is a guide to the art, offering thousands of years of research upon a single platter. That, in itself, should be enough reason for the dedicated martial artist to buy this book and to seek to understand its contents through and through.

Never write reviews, don't have the time, but this book was simply outstanding. I have practiced Wudang Tai Chi Chuan for over 10 years, & have fought in the san shou circuits throughout Europe; basically I have a bit of an interest in martial arts. As a fighter I loathe the way many Nei Jia Arts have been watered down to appeal to the lazy new age group.
This book is complete with the Bagua classics, a great compliment to the Tai Chi Chuan classics. A commentary follows each verse from the classics, that explains in a clear fashion the principles and practicalities being conveyed by the passages.
The book's explanations on conditioning, Gung training and applications are direct and practical, devoid of any flowery mystical approach, i.e. the authors know what they are talking about. I have rarely heard of Ba Gua Practitioners walking the circle on up turned bricks with blocks supported on their arms. Yet I have often heard them speak of sure footedness and balance, and using the arm as a platform for locking throws. The authors here demonstrate these gung practice methods and their benefits are immediately obvious to anyone who has seriously trained in the Nei Jia Arts.
Many books on Nei Jia leave me disappointed; this on the other hand was a breath of fresh air.
Inspirational!!

Absolutely THE BEST book (AND DVD) on the market on the subject of Emei style Baguazhang. I study under Mr. Wen-Ching Wu at The Way of The Dragon in Rhode Island and believe me he knows exactly what he is doing when it comes to Chinese Martial Arts. I rate this book a BEST BUY if you are interested in Baguazhang!!!!!!!

YMAA asked me to review this book based on my almost 30 years in the martial arts. It's taken me a while to get this review out because I've had knee surgery and I don't like to talk about a book I can't walk, literally in this case...I wanted to be able to see if the instructions given were a brain puzzle that made no sense or clear and simple to follow. This is one of those rare books in the martial arts that really does do it all. Most books are great on techniques and hope somewhere along the line you pick up the theory. Master Yiang and Dr. Yang have turned out an incredibly detailed book that every martialist should have on his shelf as a serious reference. This isn't a book...it's about 5 books under one cover.

The first section of the book takes up about 150 pages and discusses with great detail and clear words the theory of baguazhang. Don't worry if you have no clue what that means or what chi is, because it's all explained thoroughly in the book. The best part of this section of the book is that hard or impossible to find teachings are rendered into English and explained. You get back the price of the book in the first two sections!

The second section is a book on bagua qigong with a step by step program that is simple to follow assuming you've read the book up to this point. There are also basic moves, steps and turns, which are isolated and practiced as basic training. This is an enormous help to the learner and the instructor as these key repetitive moves would get lost if you tried to go right to the complete moves. Practicing these foundation moves are something you can do again as a stand alone even if you never read the rest of the book. There's also a section on physical training and although I saw nothing new here it did add to the completeness of the book's purpose.

The next 3 books on Basic 8 Palm, "Swimming Body" and advanced bagua practice and bagua "deer hook" applications have great clear, large, sequential photos as well as necessary close ups when called for. In Basic 8 and Swimming Body you learn not only the individual moves but also the martial applications...something I liked about Dr. Yang's book on Tai Chi as well.

If you are at all interested in the internal martial arts this book is a must have not only as a reference but as a step by step training guide. Like all great martial arts books get it while you can. The only draw back and this is a personal fetish of mine is that I believer any book over 200 pages automatically ought to come in a hard binding. At over 500 pages and given the nature of the book you'll wear the binding out quickly through use. If you've read my other reviews I tell it like it is. This book is one fantastic find.

As usual, another great book by Yang Jwing Ming, co-written by masters Liang, and Wu Wen-Ching. Useful historical background, and in-depth translation of the poems and songs, with clear interpritation of each. This section of the book alone is worth the cover price.

My only quarrel is with the diagrams. The photographs are black and white, with a dark background. The directional arrows are pitch black, and can be almost indiscernible against the background, causing quite a bit of confusion. The text provided for the diagrams saves that particular section of the book from being completely confusing.

After further reflection, and being a little bit older and presumably wiser; I would rate this book 5 stars for being so comprehensive and having so many translations. This book along with the video tapes or DVD has the broadest coverage of Baguazhang.

(After further study and thought I changed the rating to 5 stars.)

I have found this book to be the most comprehensive book on Baguazhang. It includes:

* Baguazhang lineage.
* Hundreds of pictures showing different forms and steps.
* Demonstrates applications.

As good as it is I had trouble following the forms. It would have been better if there had been a circle marked on the floor to show orientation. Frequently the pictures are taken from different angles and this causes confusion as to which direction the practitioner is turning.

I would also strongly recommend getting the first two video tapes that go along with this book. Get the third after you have mastered the first two. Without the video tapes it is impossible to comprehend the fluidity and motion of Baguazhang.

I don't believe that it is possible to learn Baguazhang from a book alone, but this book makes a good compliment to lessons.

I study Bagua and loved this book. It is a deep read with years worth of information. You can really learn Bagua, one of China's internal martial arts from it.