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On Bagua Zhang

Articles on all branches and styles of Ba Gua Zhang Martial Arts.

Jan
1
2022

QA: The Benefit of Reeling Silk in Bagua

A little while back, we published a short video tutorial on Reeling Silk exercise in Bagua Zhang. We just received a nice comment on it from Lyn, plus a couple of questions… Q: Very interesting little video. The informal style of it made it easy to watch–& a disappointment when it ended! I always tend […]

Oct
7
2016

This Is How Bagua Is Done

There are two ways to make a DVD, irrespective of a particular style. The first way is to follow your style’s structure: warm ups, basics, form and sampled applications. The second way, less common, is to offer, derived from your style, skills that might be universally helpful to appropriate seekers. Imagine a Long Fist practice […]

Dec
29
2015

Adam Hsu Interview, Complete: Parts 1 – 8

All episodes now available! Watch and listen to our extensive (and intensive) interview that we conducted in Taipei with Adam Hsu. No stranger to controversy, Adam Hsu discusses usage, teachers and the problems of teaching, “spreading the word,” and what is necessary for practice in Parts 4 and 5. As always, expect to hear a […]

Nov
12
2015

Adam Hsu Interview, Part 5

This session concentrates on “the Kung Fu Instructor,” and spreading the word. Adam Hsu gives a little insight into his many decades struggle with practitioners and agencies to promote authentic Kung Fu. Want to watch ALL (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 2 on this […]

Nov
12
2015

Adam Hsu Interview, Part 4

In Part 4 of our interview, Adam Hsu makes some critical comments on what he sees in Kung Fu usage and applications. He speaks further of the goals and methods for Kung Fu training. Want to watch ALL (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 2 […]

Oct
18
2015

Adam Hsu Interview, Part 3

Continuing our discussion on weapon’s practice, the interview moves to the topics of Kung Fu forms, and where they fit into the curriculum. Want to watch ALL (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 2 on this site? Want to watch Part 4 on this site? […]

Oct
14
2015

Adam Hsu Interview, Part 2

Learning “true basics” is at the core of Kung Fu. In this session, Part 2 of our interview, Adam Hsu talks about communicating and the practice of Kung Fu Weaponry. Want to watch All (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 3 on this site? Want […]

Oct
13
2015

Adam Hsu Interview, Part 1

In Part 1, our interview starts with a question about Kung Fu’s true DNA. Discussion follows, on the Kung Fu experience, and what that means, and what makes Kung Fu absolutely unique as a martial art. Part 2 (on this site) Part 3 (on this site) Part 4 (on this site) Part 5 (on this […]

Mar
27
2014

QA: Bagua Zhang Variations

I really enjoyed the article about bagua. Thanks. I’d appreciate it if you could explain to me why there are so many forms/palms. What is the goal of variations? Thanks in advance, M Dear  M, You are right there are a lot of variations in Bagua, especially for a style that is less than 200 […]

Mar
10
2014

The Mystery of Bagua

Ba Pan Zhang Walking the Circle Takes a Different Turn Bagua is one of the youngest Kung Fu styles, becoming popular as recently as the turn of the century. But in spite of its youth it has one thing in common with almost all other Kung Fu styles: its history is a mystery. The Chinese […]

Mar
2
2014

Exclusive Interview: Adam Hsu

Interview with Shifu Adam Hsu on his book: Lone Sword Against a Cold Cold Sky   Q: How do you see the place of reading in the study of Kung Fu? A: Reading is important, as in any other body of discipline. Initially you can go to a lot of different sources: study directly from […]

Aug
6
2013

Pakua Journal excerpt: Too Many Teachers?

It came out twenty years ago and is still a minor miracle in the publishing of Bagua material. I remeber being surprised and delighted that just down the road from where I lived someone, Dan Miller, was producing a journal devoted entirely to Bagua with great photos, in-depth information, little politics and excellent translations and […]

Jul
12
2013

Nine Palaces Down Under

This wonderful photo and note arrived in our inbox from one of our favorite Australian correspondents: (the Plum method of water-container-holds-pole works…) “…like a charm!… as we speak i’m training, watching Ted’s vol. 1 (Bagua DVD) and fine tuning the first 3 palm changes….. paradise!… got the idea for the water bottle from the dvd…(and)…the […]

Mar
21
2013

Plum’s Newest! Bagua Eight Animals Book & DVD

We are delighted to announce the arrival of the newest member of our Plum family: The Eight Animals of Bagua Zhang, by Ted Mancuso. As mentioned in an earlier post, this initial seminar-only project circled ’round to become an expanded book and DVD package. Plum’s particular love for Bagua is not much of a secret; […]

Apr
25
2012

Adam Hsu: Reflections

Certainly one of the most conscious martial artists of his generation, Adam Hsu long ago took on the unrewarding task of reconciling a lot of stupid martial misconceptions and misinformation with an art of protracted history and great complexity.

Apr
20
2012

Learning Bagua Zhang book has arrived!

No, this is not a picture of our newest Water Style Kung Fu… This is a picture of us at the Santa Cruz wharf, after our lunch celebrating the arrival of our newest publication, Learning Bagua Zhang: The Martial Art of Change. We actually took an afternoon off, watched the seals congregate and gambol in […]

Apr
8
2012

QA: Mud Stepping in Chen Tai Chi and in Bagua Zhang

Is the mud stepping in Liang Shan the same as it would be in Cheng style Bagua? There is the young female Bagua master on youtube who gives some brief introductory lessons on mud stepping, as I believe it is called. Dear RP, The Cheng style mud stepping relies a bit more on the sliding/landing […]

Mar
22
2012

Interview: The Shifting Patterns of Bagua

Q: You’re at the end of your new book on Bagua , just about to send it to the printer; what inspired you to write this book in the first place? A: A lot of people who bought my Bagua DVD asked me to write a book. That’s what we call “a clue,” Spencer. Also, […]

Feb
28
2012

New Views: Joanna Zorya and Zhu BaoZhen Bagua

Here are a couple of site-local videos we just put up. These are previews of our different products. With all the styles we show this make take a while… Some of Joanna Zorya’s work and the bagua of Zhu BaoZhen. Hope you like them.

Feb
7
2012

Translation: Bagua SanShou Zhang

Here is a new translation by Joseph Crandall. In this case it is Bagua Sanshou Zhang by Zhang Yaozhong, a long time teacher and student of Wang Pei Sheng. Mr. Zhang writes about many aspects of Bagua practice with a long center section explaining the 64 lines of Liu De Kuan and another section on […]