Description
Originally published in 1967, Pa-Kua was the West’s first look into the esoteric Chinese martial arts. It has been a valued and sought after text ever since. It was put out of print in the 1970’s, but since that time interest in the martial arts have continued to skyrocket. Pa-Kua gives an introduction to the little known mystical martial art from China, Pa Kua Chang (also known as Ba Gua Zhang), translated as "Eight Trigram Boxing." Smith describes its history, profiles its great practitioners and gives a series of unique exercises, illustrating the solo practice and their fighting applications.
Library's review
T'ai-chi quickly became popular in the West in the 1960's, but in a sense it is only an introduction to those fighting arts known as Chinese internal boxing. Now, with this first book in English on Pa-kua, the practitioner can probe more deeply into the inner secrets of one of the most versatile
Contents
Acknowledgments
In place of an introduction
I Beginnngs and background
The name and the philosophy; Origin and the great masters
II A beginning method
The eighteen exercises; The forms and functins; Afterthoughts and examinations
III The classical circling exercise and its modifications
Kuo Feng-Ch'ih's advice; The main principles; Other principles to master; things to avoid; To 'feel'; The concept of the circle; Quiet standing; Beginning to move; Single palm change (Tan Huan Chang); Snake posture (She); Lion posture (Szu); Standing palm posture (Li Chang); Dragon posture (Lung); Hawk posture (Yao)
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and complete systems of self-defense ever developed.Contents
Acknowledgments
In place of an introduction
I Beginnngs and background
The name and the philosophy; Origin and the great masters
II A beginning method
The eighteen exercises; The forms and functins; Afterthoughts and examinations
III The classical circling exercise and its modifications
Kuo Feng-Ch'ih's advice; The main principles; Other principles to master; things to avoid; To 'feel'; The concept of the circle; Quiet standing; Beginning to move; Single palm change (Tan Huan Chang); Snake posture (She); Lion posture (Szu); Standing palm posture (Li Chang); Dragon posture (Lung); Hawk posture (Yao)
Show Less
ISBN
087011462X / 9780870114625
Publication
Kodansha International Ltd.