Customer Reviews

The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang: The Methods of Lu Shui-Tien As Taught by Park Bok Nam Vol. II(Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chan (Unique))

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

 

 

To find volume one search under Dan Miller, the other person listed as author. Amazon has listed both volumes under the same title and their software can't handle this.

After reading the first volume, I sought out the student group under Sifu Park nearest me and began training. Sifu Park is a wonderful teacher and holds nothing back in imparting the system which he has inherited. Volume II of Sifu Park's book contains yet another wealth of information while emphasizing the basic and fundamental concepts laid out in the first. It is meant to read and used as a written reference for those who have already learned the content of the first volume. I write "learned" rather than "mastered" because it takes years of practice to truly master the contents of the first volume. In the second volume, Sifu Park begins to build up the student's repertoire of techniques, fundamental exercises, and theoretical concepts. Generally speaking, in Sifu's school and study groups, it takes about a year to two years (depending on your background and willingness to practice) to get a handle on all of the teachings from the first voume. The second volume could easily take six to seven years of practice before one learns everything. Sifu also begins to show some fighting applications and the "variations on a theme" concepts that are Pa Kua trademarks. If one wishes to learn the exercises within these books, the videos are essential if a student group is not readily available. However, without the videos, the books give excellent insights into not only what is known as the most effective internal martial art created but also into general martial arts practice, applications, and the building of good fundamentals.

This book presents a lot of information, and presents it well.

However, it makes VERY frequent references to techniques presented in Vol I, and it does not present those techniques again. Several pages are dedicated to the sole purpose of explaining how important it is that the reader master the techniques of the first book before moving on to the techniques in this book. Therefore, if you are looking to build a practice out of this book, you will need to also read the first volume.

Continues where Vol. I left off. A wonderful, intricately written, detailed book describing the fundamentals of Ba Gua training. Emphasis is on the complex biomechanics behind Ba Gua stepping, striking, and training methods, including introductory chi kung. This is not a book describing Master Park's Ba Gua Palms or advanced forms, but it is a DETAILED description of fundamental techniques appropriate as a learning aid for the beginning or intermediate Ba Gua student.
Along with Vol. 1, Mr. Miller and Master Park take the reader through step-by-step descriptions of body motions for various strikes, stepping techniques, circle walking, and basic chi kung. Especially valuable in my opinion were the detailed descriptions of the strikes-- concentrating on the all-important pelvis and trunk as the generators of power.

For the intermediate-advanced student, there is not enough (in my opinion) description or discussion of body structural alignments, power generation while moving, or combat theory. I also would have liked to see sample lesson outlines-- typical training progression over a ten year period, for example. But this would be more appropriate for a Vol. III!

For the fundamentals it covers, however, this book is a must-have for serious Ba Gua practitioners! Highly recommended!

First let me say that I have every book, translation, and DVD ever produced on Ba Gua. Most show form movements or the history of the art. This book (both volumes 1 and 2) also tell the history of Ba Gua, but this is the only book I've seen that covers the stepping method of Yin Fu Ba Gua so completely, and the Fa Jin full body movements. Without the explosive power, the forms are almost useless in self defense.

The companion DVDs are excellent in showing the intricate movements of the body to deliver real power. I know why these are impossible to find...nobody wants to give their copy up.

You can't learn a martial art from a book. But if you are already in training, this fills in a lot of gaps, and takes your training to a higher level.

You know when your instructor shows you a strike and his power seems almost supernatural? This book and Dvds explain the mechanics of how to generate that power.

And Dan Miller makes these ideas easy to understand...a real feat in itself.

Certainly worth he price of admission.

This second volume continues on the main three themes of the Vol. 1 -

1. Footwork training
2. Body training
3. Palm training

(And Chi Kung)

Added notes include:

Various types of stepping, various types of walking the circle, more body conditioning movements, kou bu and bai bu applications, more of the "48 month palms", elbow training .. and of course, plenty more.

In general, an extremely worthwhile addition to any Bagua student's library - by far some of the best books in print.

What I liked: the emphasis on knowing the principles(especially the footwork) rather than the forms.
What I didn't like: the repetitive nature of the explanations seemed like an old record stuck in its groove rather than a reinforcement of explanations.
Two volumes: I think with better editing one volume would have been possible.
I did not have the companinion videos with my order but found it posted on youtube.
Suitable for beginners and those with some experience in ba gua zhang

it is one of the most essential books you should have , it is easy written and easely to study from.

Excellent! One of the best guide books on the art of Baguazhang. Also check out the book on the subject by Mr. Liang, Dr. Yang and Mr. Wu. Mr. Wu is my teacher here in RI and is one of the nicest men I have met in the martial arts world. He also very knowledgeable on the subject and has all the proper credentials to back up his teaching skills.
In this particular book though, it takes Baguazhang from a different point of view. It is more like a dance stepping graphic look at the stepping pattern. Which becomes extremely helpful when linked with Mr. Wu's book. The two complement each other really well.
So if you want to nail down the concept of Baguazhang, get the two volumes of this book and the book on Baguazhang by Mr. Liang. Dr. Yang and Mr. Wen-Ching Wu.

If you're looking for information on Park Bok Nam and Lu Shui-T'ien, this is an excellent book. If you are interested in Pa Kua Chang itself, you may be disappointed by the large amount of space "wasted" on biographical material. It's still a good book, however.