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 Quick time (for free) and any similar VCD player program. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow!
BAGUA ZHANG: Various Styles
There are over 100 styles of BaGua currently, not to mention hybrids such as BaGua/Tai Chi. Here are a few of these which may hold interest. One is a survey of the Sun style including BaGua and Xing Yi with the daughter of world-famous teacher, Sun Lu-Tang.
Click on pictures to see larger versions. Click to see a video on Tian Bagua style.
SC534 Round Body Bagua
Gao MingXing
94 pages plus VCD, softbound
$18.95 Chinese/English on both book and VCDA surprisingly strong performance of a mixed set of Bagua by a national champion. This medium sized set is a solid compilation of many aspects of Bagua besides the Palm Changes. It also blends the Bagua Animals as well as some Old Palms positions. Additionally, kicking methods are shown within the form and capturing the flavor of the style. A good performance set for about intermediate level and one that is clean enough that whichever style you might practice this can be applied.
Though often less than 100 pages, these 'en face' books offer both simplified Chinese and English face to face. In addition, they include a VCD with the form in question demonstrated, often by top performers. The narration in both the Chinese and English is minimal, leaving it pretty much up to you to figure out how to move, but the photographs are quite clear and the English helpful. If you are interested in the form, it is a good value.
VCD #1476 The Eight Old Palms
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese OnlyWu Shi Jun is a popular teacher who, at one point, became the student of the famous Li Zi Ming. This is a set of short but very "twisty" Bagua changes. Not quite as simple as most "Old Eight Palms" these are somewhere between full one changes one is used to and the single action change most often associated with the mother palms. Wu is very flexible and light in his movements. There is not much application spoken here but the introductory section has a number of stance and twist training methods. A very pleasant rendition.
Jiang style "New" BaGua is also represented by Luo Jin Hua.
VCD #1354 Eight Shape Eight Palms Bagua
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
This is an interesting version that seems to combine the idea of the basic Eight Palms based on the animals into changing palm like transitions. Another way to put it is that this form has eight shapes based on the following animals: Swallow, Hawk, Bear, Monkey, Dragon, Snake, Tiger and Horse. Each of these palms is usually associated with a single, simple change but in this set each palm has a change pattern of about eight movements. A very interesting thought not primary set that combines some of the energies of Bagua with some of the directness of Xing Yi. To our knowledge not associated with a particular style. Wu Shi Jun is a professional and polished teacher.
VCD #892 BaGua Jiang Style BaGua
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese OnlyThis is our third version of Jiang Rong Jiao's BaGua we sell (Ted Mancuso's and Kang Ge Wu's version being the other two). The teacher here is the well known student of Sha Guo Zheng, Luo Jin Hua. Luo's movements are worth watching. A little tight (in the sense of smallness) than most his BaGua also has some nice elaboration. A very clear presentation of his movements. A strong, straight forward presentation. Luo has an active style and an alert mind. Click here to see his lineage.
See DVD version of this disk.
VCD #1325 BaGua 7 Star BaGua Linked Palms
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese OnlyThis is very nice "linked palm" set with tight changes and the so called "Swimming Dragon" flavor. Luo Jin Hua's movements are clear and precise with a relaxed but dynamic style. This set almost comes under the heading of "cascading palms" and is a nice combination of movements where palm changes and postures intermix . Click here to see his lineage.
VCD #25 BaGua Survey of the Sun Style
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese OnlySUN JIAN-YUN, the daughter of the very famous martial artist and writer, Sun Lu-Tang leads this demonstration tape of the Sun Style. Though the cover lists Sun T'ai Chi there is more here than that. This is not an instruction VCD but starts with a performance of Sun T'ai Chi by Sun Jian-Yun, herself an "old Shihfu". Other students and family members help demonstrate T'ai Chi, Sun Style Ba Gua Partner Sword practice, Sun Style Hsing Yi Fist Set, and a rather nice Sun style Xing Yi sword. Little talking but a lot about the Sun style for the interested student.
VCD #484 BaGua style LINKING PALMS
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese OnlyBy Jiang Lu Di national champion Lecturer Nie Jiang Guo coach of Henan Wushu Team. A contemporary WuShu version of BaGua by a champion player who has two of the longest arms in proportion to her body that we've seen for a long time. Some nice actions with whirling arms. This set is demonstrated with much twisting and very agile footsteps. Generally good movement though, from our standpoint, not very solid grounding. Nonetheless a skillful and attractive performance. Chinese/English VCD
