From the back cover:
"After an overview of Ba Gua's history and philosophy, author Allen Pittman presents eight chapters corresponding to the eight 'houses' of B Gua theory—elemental groupings that match the eight foundational trigrams of the I Ching. Each of these houses manifests a distinct underlying dymnatic and martial arts primciple, and each chapter begins with an introductory survey of the symbolism and cultural, anatomical, tactical, and spiritual ramifications of the house. Detailed and extensively illustrated directions for performing the eight linear sequence forms of each house follow.

This combinatioon of practical instuction and philosophical insight make Walking the I Ching not only an authoritative guide to hands-on practice, but also a pathway to a deeper understanding of Ba Gua Zhang and its traditional roots. "

This is "a unique portrayal of the power, effectiveness and beauty of the art of Ba Gua Zhang. The essential principles and training methods of BGZ are presented by Master Gao Ji Wu, inheritor of Beijing Gao Family BGZ. Chapters cover the basic principles of Ba Gua Zhang, nei gong, footwork, standing postures, fixed posture circle walking, the eight basic palm methods and the Ba Gua linking form, as well as kicking and seizing methods, pushing hands and BGZ's 36 songs and 48 methods. With over 570 photographs."Gao Ji Wu began study of traditional Chinese martial arts at age seven under the tutelage of his father and grandfather. Today, Gao Ji Wu carries on his family's martial arts tradition. His expertise and understanding of BGZ and the 64 Hands is extensive and unique. This book and those to follow will expand on this previously filmed VCDs.Tom Bisio has been involved with martial arts since 1973. He teaches Xing Yi and Ba Gua and heads a Chinese medicine clinic in New York. He is the author of A Tooth from the Tiger's Mouth.

This new book is nicely formatted, with big clear pictures and direct translations of many Ba Gua key points from the "songs". A very good effort for anyone interested in any branch of the Ba Gua tree.

Back Cover: "Illustrated with over 500 photographs, the training sections teach a complete warm up followed by a step-by-step program for learning the essentials of the practice such as the classical Cheng style Basic Eight Palm Changes and the Cheng Style Deer Horn Knife Set of Grandmaster Liu Jing Ru. These chapters also include combat strategies, theory of ba gua fighting techniques, and a complete account of the unique weapons of ba gua zhang.

Much more than just a technical manual, Whirling Circles shows how bagua zhang developed from Daoist ideology and tells of inspiring historical accounts and legends of the ba gua masters. The final section explains how to use mindfulness, breathing techniques and meditation to recognize and combine the essential eight trigrams of the Yi Jing, the Book of Changes. This book also includes a new, full translation of Dong Hai Chuan's Thirty-Six Poems and Forty-Eight Methods, with expert commentary on their meaning."

#EBG88 BAGUA QUAN by He Jing-Han in ENGLISH
148 pages, oversized, softbound, US $16.95

This oversized book is the first in English from He Jing Han . It contains a number of sections on general principles in almost philosophical language. There are also photos of basic BaGua style stretches and some illustrations with instruction on the Chang Palms. There is a section on BaGua applications with "spontaneous" responses recorded. Much correlated information on which meridian and what muscle group is involved in basic internal palms. We have to say that some of the information here , especially postural, should be scrutinized with a skeptical eye. There is the distinct feeling that He Jing Han is a better dancer than Bagua expert. His arched back and "vogueing" attitude may grate on you if you have traditional standards. He comes from the lineage of Gong Bao Tian and is therefore a Yin Fu branch member. The book itself is a very good presentation from Lion. Translation by Yang Ya-Hui and Alex Kozma.

OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

#EBG99 PAKUA CHANG for SELF DEFENSE
An illustrated training manual of BaGua Zhang
Lee Ying Arng and Yen Te Hwa
English, Softbound, 86 pages US $16.95

We have literally been looking to handle this book for years. Originally published in English in 1972 it is a classic in the field, without a doubt. Lee Ying Arng, the vice president of the Hong Kong Kung Fu Association, was a pioneer in the field especially regarding English language publications. His was one of the first Kung Fu books ever in English, the first Iron Palm book, the first film strips (8mm in those days) to be available. His modified Yang style Tai Chi - almost completely ignored - is one of the best abstractions of the set ever done, with every move repeated ON BOTH SIDES yet structured in an elegant and asymmetrical set.

Here is a BaGua book that is not only informative but charming. In the first section it presents the basic palm positions, gives an historical overview with pictures of famous masters, shows Lee himself doing applications. The next section if a translation into English of a famous text by Yen Te Hwa showing some of the neatest illustrations ever of Chinese fighting applications. The usage is Ba Gua to the max with some pretty twisty renditions but all fascinating. A fold out lineage chart is enclosed. A collector's item worth a lot of money if you could find it. This reprint is pretty much the original except for the hard cover and dust jacket. A must-have for any Ba Gua library.

go to a Chinese edition of this book

#EBG96 The Fundamentals of PaKua Chang Vol. 1
by Park Bok Nam
206 pages, US $ 19.95          

This book continues the lineage of Lu Shui-Tien (1894-1978) through his student Park Bok Nam. Lu was so well known during the Sino-Japanese war as a fighter that the Japanese put a price on his head. This book by his student of many years is chock full of hands on BaGua training. Besides detailed instructions on walking, it contains...
• philosophical roots • two person exercises • power issuing practice • Palm Training • Body Twisting Exercises
• Ch'i Kung method

The FIRST volume of a two part series it is a pretty comprehensive introduction to at least one method of BaGua practice.

#EBG97 The Fundamentals of PaKua Chang Vol. 2
by Park Bok Nam
206 pages, US $ 24.95          

This book continues the lineage of Lu Shui-Tien (1894-1978) through his student Park Bok Nam. Lu was so well known during the Sino-Japanese war as a fighter that the Japanese put a price on his head. This book by his student of many years is chock full of hands on BaGua training. Besides detailed instructions on walking, it contains two person exercises, power issuing practice and Ch'i Kung training. The second volume of a two part series it is a pretty comprehensive introduction to at least one method of BaGua practice.

The SECOND volume of a two part series, this is a pretty comprehensive introduction to at least one method of BaGua practice. This text adds more to the overall picture of BaGua while introducing information about leg locking and elbow attacks, hidden moves in most BaGua forms.

#EBG94 Pa-Kua 8 Trigram Boxing
Robert W. Smith & Allen Pittman
99 pages, US $12.95         

Pa-Kua (just another spelling for Ba Gua and pronounced the same) is a Chinese martial art that emphasizes "soft" movements not dependent on strength. It's secret lies in the cultivation of Ch'i, intrinsic energy, through a series of gentle exercises which are practice while walking in a circular fashion. Both a fighting and living art, Ba Gua is considered by many to be related to the soft, circular motions of T'ai Chi. This book outlines the history of the style which is based on the 8 basic trigrams that were the inspiration for the I Ching- one of the most important books fundamental to Chinese philosophy. Fully illustrated are the basics, the eight palm shapes and the eight traditional circle walks with changes. Robert Smith is considered a "dean of Chinese martial arts", one of the first people to write about it in the West. Allen Pittman has studied for extended time in Taiwan.

#EBG89 Emei BaGua Zhang
Theory and Application
Liang Shou-Yu &Yang Jwing-Ming
361 pages,Softbound,
US $39.95 with Plum Discount $35.95       

In our opinion one of the best books produced by the prolific Yang's Martial Arts. The historicity of "Emei" BaGua is negligible imparting a confusion between BaGua the style and BaGua the philosophy. Nonetheless this is a big and fairly comprehensive edition. It contains many general notes on martial arts with ample Chinese language quotations and accompanying translation. It also has a section on BaGua Chi Kung, General Concepts, the Jins (Powers) involved in BaGua, Eight Mother Palms with applications,Swimming Body BaGua with applications, and a small Deer Horn set with applications. Liang Shou-Yu, ostensibly the author with a credit to Yang Jwing Ming, is known for his Shuai Jiao expertise and the applications take on some of this flavor. But overall this book of more than 350 pages is a strong addition to one's BaGua library.

#EBG 86 Pa Kua Chinese Boxing for Fitness and Self-Defense
by Robert Smith
160 pages, photographs, click picture

Probably one of the first major books on the art of Bagua in the English language. Originally published in 1967, this is the 2003 edition with a new introduction by Smith. The book talks of the history of the art in Smith's distinctive pseudo-mythic manner. The usable bulk of the work shows the exercise system of Chan Chun Feng which, years ago, we tried to apply from the text ourselves. While these methods give little of the real feeling of Bagua they are nonetheless a good introduction of integrated body movements. There is an almost completely useless description (just too complicated)  of Kuo Feng Chih's Bagua which, as Smith admits, is considerably different from the simplified exercises he shows. As always, we admire not only the information but Smith's quirky style of writing. This is the same text where, on page 95, he complains of his own helper as being a "coward"! Whatever his skills and his idiosyncrasies, he stands as the grandfather of a generation of western martial writers. If you have any interest in Bagua and don't have this text, get it.

   US $14.95           OUR PRICE: $6.95 Note: This is a "hurt" edition (save over 55%)

	OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item. Please Note:This book is also temporarily out of print.

#EBG95
DRAGON STRETCHES ITS CLAWS
An illustrated training manual of BaGua Zhang
by Liu JingRu & C.S.Tang
English, Softbound, 133 pages
US $23.95

A new book in English by the very famous Liu JingRu and his co-author C.S.Tang.In this generously illustrated volume they share their deep knowledge of BaGua Zhang with the general reader. Simply and accurately they explain its origins and development. The basic forms, postures and applications of this seemingly difficult art are illustrated step-by-step in a comprehensive series of photographs. All photographs are accompanied by Liu and Tang's own clear and expert explanations.

Origin and historical development
Main characteristics
Brief description of various palm routines
BaGua and health
Ten important points and eight methods
Names of the Palm Postures and Routines
Eight Palm Changes illustrated
also, applications of the movements
Duets and partner routines

To many people Liu JingRu is one of the reigning masters of the Cheng Ting Hua branch of BaGua. We expect this book, the first of its kind in English, to sell rather quickly. We encourage you to order while our supply lasts.

Other Links for Liu JingRu: BaGua VCDs also DVDs
Translation of an earlier text by Liu

#EBG98 Liang Zhen Pu 8 Trigram Palm
Edited by Li Zi Ming: Translated by Huang Guo Qi
Compiled & Edited by Vincent Black
154 pages, $20.95 NOW $17.95        

"(BaguaZhang) Master Li Zi Ming was the last living representative of the third generation in Dong Hai Chuan's lineage when he wrote this authoritative book. This in-depth exposition explores all of the ramifications involved in performing and unitizing this sophisticated fighting system.
Having begun his life long study of Eight Diagram Palm in 1918 with his teacher Liang Zhen Pu, Master Li drew from over 60 years of experience in writing this work.
Never before has a treatise by a Master of such long term experience and insight been made available to those outside the Chinese community."

Good photos, illustrations and the essential section, "Formulae Handed Down from Dong Hai Chuan" with comments by Li Zi Ming himself.