Customer Reviews

Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang, Volume One: South District Beijing's Strongly Rooted Style

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Baguazhang is one of the three major styles of Chinese internal martial arts (the other two being Taichi Quan and Xingyi Quan). I love this book because it not only shows the reader the forms and moves of Baguanzhang, but also tells a fascinating story behind the origin and development of the martial arts. Dr. Zhang Jie took this uniquely philosophical and historical approach to martial arts for he has a broad and deep understanding of the Chinese culture and philosophy. He obtained his bachelor degree in Chinese Literature from Peking University and his master degree from the Chiense Academy of Arts. Therefore this book presents to its readers something more than just the physical aspect of Baguazhang, like most other book do; it explains and interprets the metaphysical meaning of Baguazhang, which is just as intriguing, if not more, as the physical moves.

On the other hand, as an authentic fifth generation successor of the Beijing South District Baguazhang branch, Dr. Zhang's sequences (kata) are beautiful and true to the origin. It took him years of research, including numerous visits to the surviving old masters in Beijing, to collect in this book many sequences that cannot be found anywhere else. For the readers who are interested in learning the martial arts itself, this book is a good starting point. For advanced practitioners, this book might add to their existing knowledge and ability.

This is an excellent first book on Ba Gua. The authors clearly have a sincere and humble approach to the subject,backed with obvious mastery.A great book for the beginner or experienced artist.The chi gong and chilin forms,with the single palm change are a welcome addition to one's knowledge.Overall a brilliant start which augers well for the follow up book(s).Let's hope the second book is not long coming.

This book was an enjoyable read for a Bagua enthusiast. I doubt anyone who doesn't practice Baguazhang would like it. The history and stories were entertaining and I enjoyed the pictures from the old days. The forms presented in the book were foundational forms that would make a good introduction to the Baguazhang body method. I would have like to have seen more realistic combat, but that's possibly just me. Overall, I would recommend it to any Baguazhang practitioners out there who like to read about their art.

The unfortunate truth is that you can't learn ba gua, or any martial or internal art, from a book. However, this is a good book and is a good supplement to what you might be learning from a class or private lesson. The author has an engaging, clear writing style and the book is full of interesting and useful stuff.

Zhang Jie is a scholar and a master of internal martial arts. I was fortunate to work with him while he resided in Seattle, Washington (USA). This first book of Bagua is an excellently written piece, with detail about the history and traditions of Bagua. The photographs of the forms are excellent, as well as the descriptions.

I am looking forward to Sifu Zhang Jie's next book!

Hi yall~
This book is legit. Other than Sifu(Master) Zhang Jie, Ive also known another very legit sifu of Bagua Zhang. I have to admit that this book tells the conformed true that i hear from both these 2 sifu. Sifu Zhang Jie's instruction is by far the most detailed. His lineage cannot be any more purer in the art of Bagua. Unfortuantely it is not possible to learn Bagua through a book alone. but i highly recommend this book because it explains in detail the purpose and the mentality behind Bagua that you cannot learn just from physical lessons if no one explains it to you. I'm lucky that I understand Mandarin so when i take lessons with Sifu Zhang Jie, he explains things and terms to me in both English and Chinese. Knowing the Chinese terms really explains the essences, to the core of the concepts. I've learned other arts in the past but Sifu Zhang Jie's instructions are some of the most detailed instructions a practitioner can receive.
In the book it explains that when Bagua was first openly taught in public in the Qing Dynasty by the founder Dong Hai chuan, it was taught at the Southern District of the Emperial Palace in Beijing. Ever since then it has been the best place to learn the purest and most advance Bagua Zhang, it has always been pass down as in the Southern District ever since till today. You can count on this lineage being very legit. It is so fortunate that after then Cultural Revolution that these masters among masters decided to get together and document the details of this art in to a system that they can easily be understood and shared among the public. after all, Sifu ZHang Jie and all the other masters emphasize that passing on Bagua to more people is the ultimate goal because through practicing it, people become peaceful and balance-minded (take Sifu Zhang Jie for example, hes so calm and wise). It also improves health. Sifu Zhang Jie is almost 70, not only does he not have wrinkles, his eyelids don't sag. He looks kind of like those hermit sage in those traditional Chinese painting (smooth calm face).

Since Bagua is beneficial to the body, i would recommend it to anyone. it is one of those arts that you can continue practicing even when you get old while it continues benefiting your body. Unlike some of those external styles such as many of Shaolin's arts which you need to back off when you reach about age 40 (i believe, just because its so straining to the body), Bagua is so soothing that it only strengthens you.

HERE IS MY IMPORTANT CONCLUSION: You cannot learn Bagua just from a book alone (you need a legit instructor), but I think this book is VERY important just so you can study about the lineage in order to identify which "sifu"s are legit. Please believe me, there are many masters out there who are some-what okay in their practice, but have not fully learned the essence and power of Bagua.

Master Zhang has really delivered some great history and detail about the Cheng Ting Hwa Bagua Zhang .....the pictures and the poems have been especially helpfull

At first glance, the contents of this book seems shallow, if you're a flashy kick and punch guy looking for forms to impress others at your next tournament. However, for BaGua enthusiast, this book is a treasure! It describes a depth of understanding of Ba Gua normally not conveyed in other works I've collected! It's pictures and instructions on how to perform the exercises are very clear and easy to follow. It also provides a very humble and sincere presentation of BaGua Chang. I'm eagerly looking forward to the follow on works promised by the authors!

I was expecting much more from this book and was thoroughly disappointed. The photos didn't convey anywhere near the depth and experience that the author claims, I'm sorry I bought it.