First, be advised that all of these VCD's are IN CHINESE ONLY. In our opinion that doesn't matter much because the instruction is clear and the quality of photography very good. But we will not accept returns just because people didn't read... IN CHINESE ONLY. Given that, these are really tremendous deals for the money. Each of these special VCD's can be played on a computer for full enjoyment. Made for PC's they are also Mac compatible by downloading Quicktime (for free) and any similar VCD player program. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow!

JIN style Ba Gua & Xing Yi Boxing

This series is from the lineage of Zhang Zhao Dong and his teachings. He lived from 1865 to 1938, a formative period in modern Chinese martial arts. Also known as "Lightning Hand Zhang Zhan Kui", his instructors included Liu Qi Lan ( a student of Li Lao Neng) for xing Yi and supposedly both Cheng Ting Hua and Dong Hai Chuan himself for BaGua Zhang. Zhao's own students included Han Mu Xia, Jiang Rong Qiao, Zhao Dao Xin and Qian Shu Qiao: the teacher of the present demonstrator: Xiong Shou Nian.

Click pictures

VCD#1311 BaGua Palms
Double VCD , VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

A complex series of eight palms longer than almost any other similar form we have seen. Almost a claw palm held hand position throughout. Tight and large twists, retracing of steps with a complicated relationship of tight and expansive twists. Mud stepping of lesser importance with a strong prejudice toward very tight hand work. Double VCD.

 

VCD#1312 XY Pure Yang Sword
Double VCD, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

The Chun Yang sword is a common name in many styles. Rarely, however, do we see it performed with such a long version of the weapon, especially as in this case where it is wielded entirely single handed throughout the form. A straight forward, Xing Yi representation with some complex actions and turns. Essentially linear in footwork with about a medium length number of movements. The sword is good, but not this instructor's greatest skill, to our minds. Double VCD.

 

VCD#1313 XY Press Body Partner Set
About an hour, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

A fast and tight version of the famous Xing Yi set, AN SHEN BAO, probably the most popular duet set of the style. The first move "presses the body" and then we are off and running. Also demonstrated (and ALWAYS helpful to see) is the one person version of the form. Well explained with details of movement.

 

VCD#1314 BG Double Headed Spear
About an hour, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

Don't expect everything to be circle walking in this distinct version of the two headed spear. Some say this is a silly instrument because the main principle of extend poking canÕt be fully executed without aligning the other end with you. Since BaGua is concerned with the center of the circle and the awareness of its opposite there might be some decided advantages to this type of training in the Bagua milieu.

 

VCD#1315 Five Element Linked Boxing
About an hour, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

This is the basic linking of the elements fist, a cornerstone of Xing Yi practice. This version is a standard interpretation with a few changed palm strikes. Some interesting Beng body block positions but overall a traditional interpretation.

 

VCD#1317 Rolling Body Saber
Double VCD, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

Gun Shen Saber. We actually own a BaGua saber as big as the oversized weapon shown here and it is hard to wield indeed. This is a coiling, rolling set performed with the BaGua saber. It is a difficult set with convoluted and twisting footwork. The elements of the set are well structured and the set, over all, is a good one. Double VCD.

 

VCD#1318 Nine Province Staff
About an hour, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

The idea of the "9 Province" staff is that, as in the American 13 original colonies, early China was, for a time composed of nine states. A state known in "all nine provinces" would have been, indeed, a famous set. Shaolin, Tai Chi and Xing Yi all have their versions of the 9 Province set. This one is a tight central double hand hold with large wheeling actions and some Xing Yi flavor.

 

VCD#1319 XY Linked Sword
About an hour, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

The flavor of Xing Yi is retained in this medium intricate version of the Linked Sword. The movements somewhat resemble Kun Wu sword, a famous set. Most of the actions are strong and clear with little twirling and usage that is, at least, straightforward and forceful. Not a "flying fairy" set. Traditional and steeped in its style. Learnable.

 

VCD#1320 XY Linked Splitting Saber
About an hour, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

A big saber, sometimes used with both hands. Definitely Xing Yi. A bit of a pun possibly on the fact that saber cuts "Pi" and PiGua saber is considered one of the best representatives of that weapon. Strong moves. Though the style is said to be BaGua Xing Yi, there is little mixing. More a parallel line of forms retaining their special flavor. For a while most of the teachers of BaGua in the world, even the Chinese world, were overwhelmingly Xing Yi players. This helped spread the idea that they had to be studied together (even the story of Guo Yun Shen and Dong Hai Chuan doesn'tÕt imply that, simply that they could be studied together). BaGua is a complete system, if such exists. So is Xing Yi. But at least we see that cross training is no new idea.

 

VCD#1321 BG Mandarin Duck Axes
Double VCD, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

A thorough and sophisticated version of these weapons. Not the prettiest but solid content. The actions of the axes are often doubled with the hands acting together. Not the top of the line for complexity but solid stuff nonetheless. A well structured set with theme and repetition of key elements mixed with newer skills. Solid BaGua work that, while deficient to our thoughts in body art, nonetheless show some of the flavor of the weapon and the style.

 

VCD#1322 Swimming Body BG Sword
Double VCD, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

An involved and complex series of movements. Definitely not a beginners set and only arguably an intermediate one. Much body coiling, many interesting movements with the occasional questionable action. A good demonstration of Reeling Silk energy made even more evident by the swordÕs length. Folding on folding, coiling within coiling. Worth a watch even if you donÕt contemplate climbing this particular mountain.

 

VCD#1323 Linked Punches
About an hour, VCD pricing, CHINESE ONLY

Strikes Certainly a challenging and complex set of "12 punches" which explores many changes in the Xing Yi manner. Much retreating with fast steps, body changes of 180¼ with sudden tempo fluctuations. Combinations of strikes with weight shifts and abrupt alterations. This is a master set in pretty much each style of Xing Yi.