Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang-South District Beijing's Strongly Rooted Style, Foundation Practices, Volume One

Oneof the major internal styles of Chinese martial arts, Bagua Zhang is also one of the most revered. In Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang, Zhang Jie (a disciple of Master Liu Xing Han) presents Bagua Zhang's evolution as a martial art, its philosophical roots, and its applcations for health,

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longevity, and self-defense. Professor Zhang explains the history, culture, theory, and practice of the style of Bagua Zhang taught by the renowned Master Kiu Bin in South District Beijing. Often referred to as 'Zhuang Gong' or 'Strong root' style, it emphasizes stability, alignment, awareness, and slow movement, allowing practitioners to develop greater power and precision.

This volume, the first of two books on the style, includes the history of Bagua Zhang and Liu Bin's lineage: the circle walk and single palm change, which are the most important and widely practiced elements of Bagua Zhang: Zhan Zhuang or standing exercises; and the complete form of the twenty-four movements of the eight animals.

Equally useful for novice and seasoned practitioners, students of Chinese culture and history, and Chinese philosopy enhusiasts, Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang immerses readers in all aspects of this important martial art.

Zhang Jie began studying Shaolin martial arts in 1953, at the age of seven. He currently teaches Chinese culture, calligraphy, chi gong, martial arts, and tui na massage in Seattle, Washington. He has published many books in Chinese; this is his first English-language publication.

Richard Shapiro lives in Mesa, Arizona, where he practices and teaches Bagua Zhang and Taiji Quan and practices Tiu Na bodywork. He holds a master's degree in sport science and has been training in martial arts since 1992.

Contents

Introduction
Chapter One The history of Bagua Zhang
Bi Cheng Xia, Father of traditional bagua zhang
Dong Hai Chuan, Fouknder of modern bagua zhang
Dong Hai Chuan in Beijing
Cheng Ting Hua
The developoment of Chang Bagua
Liu Shui Bagua and Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang
Liu Bin and the Nan Cheng Wu Lao
Liu Xing Han
Chapter Two The essence of bagua zhng: Theory and cultural roots
Bagua Zhang, the I Ching, and Chinese culture
Martial morality (wu de)
Bagua Zhang and traditional Chinese martial artsa
Bagua Zhang and Chinese wrestling
Differences between internal end external martial arts
Bagua Zhang and traditional Chinese chi gong exercises
Bagua Zhang and traditional chinese medicine
How bagua zhang has influenced other arts
Chapter Three How to ractice bagua zhang: Circle walk and single palm chane
Principles of the circle walk
Standing chi gong preparation for the circle walk
Starting the cirlce walk
Changing direction during the cirlce walk
The change between the yin and yang of the body during the circle walk
Ding Shi, or single standing meditation
Heng Kai Zhang, or single palm change
Single palm change: Yan kou huan shi
How to change direction with the single palm walk
runing horse, or zou ma huo xie
Turning-back palm: Pu tui you shen
Single palm extensions
Single palm change using bai kou huan shi
Yin and yang arm spirals
Continued bai bu and ko bu step with hooking foot
Martial applications of hang kai qhang
Chapter Four: Sixteen zhan zhuang exercises
Two-legged chi gong exercises
One-legged chi gong exercises
Chapter Five: Twnety-four movements of the eight animals
Chi xing bu, or seven stars stepping
Chilin
Lion
Bear
Phoenix
Rooster
Monkey
Snake
Dragon
Martial applications of animal forms
Glossary

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