THE EIGHT STRATEGIES
连环掌 Lián Huán Zhǎng - Interlocking Palm - Qian Trigram
顺势掌 Shùn Shì Zhǎng - Moving with the Force Palm - Kan Trigram
背身掌 Bèi Shēn Zhǎng - Behind the Back Palm - Gen Trigram
平托掌 Píng Tuō Zhǎng - Supporting and Lifting Palm - Zhen Trigram
风轮掌 Fēng Lún Zhǎng - Wind Wheel Palm - Xun Trigram
卧势掌 Wò Shì Zhǎng - Crouching under the Force Palm - Li Trigram
返身掌 Fǎn Shēn Zhǎng - Returning Body Palm - Kun Trigram
抱势掌 Bào Shì Zhǎng - Enfolding the Force Palm - Dui Trigram
连环掌 Lián Huán Zhǎng - Interlocking Palm - Qian Trigram
顺势掌 Shùn Shì Zhǎng - Moving with the Force Palm - Kan Trigram
背身掌 Bèi Shēn Zhǎng - Behind the Back Palm - Gen Trigram
平托掌 Píng Tuō Zhǎng - Supporting and Lifting Palm - Zhen Trigram
风轮掌 Fēng Lún Zhǎng - Wind Wheel Palm - Xun Trigram
卧势掌 Wò Shì Zhǎng - Crouching under the Force Palm - Li Trigram
返身掌 Fǎn Shēn Zhǎng - Returning Body Palm - Kun Trigram
抱势掌 Bào Shì Zhǎng - Enfolding the Force Palm - Dui Trigram
THE EIGHT PRINCIPALS
It is important to know that the Eight principles that are derived from the trigrams are vitally important to improving health and fighting ability. The key to improvement is that everything must change and adapt, so these principles should be done at all times while training and fighting in order to make them work naturally.
There are 8 key points in the training of Baguazhang which come from the 8 Trigrams and are based on whether a line is solid or broken and where the line is situated.
☰ Qian Heaven - The Top, Middle, and Bottom are solid and coordinated - meaning the Three Harmonies of Eyes (yi/intent), Hands, and Feet arrive at the same time.
☳ Zhen Thunder - The Bottom is held solid - meaning the ten toes must grasp the ground which slightly raises up and activates 湧泉 Yongquan point in the arch of the foot.
☵ Kan Water - The Middle is held solid - meaning the 丹田 Dantian is kept solid and full.
☶ Gen Mountain - The Top is held solid - meaning the crown of the head is raised up, and the chin is tucked which closes off 大椎 Da Chui point, closing off of the whole neck. The back is also rounded and held strong, giving strength to the two shoulders and arms.
☷ Kun Earth - The Top, Middle, and Bottom - Arms (shoulder, elbow, wrist), Torso (waist, chest, neck), and Legs (ankle, knees, hips) are flowing and open.
☴ Xun Wind - The Break at the Bottom needs to be closed - so the tailbone/ coccyx is tucked under and 會陰 Huiyun point is held taught and contracting upward.
☲ Li Flame - The Break in the Middle needs to be closed - so the chest is concaved to keep the opening to the 中廷 Zhong Ting (heart and solar plexus area) protected.
☱ Dui Swamp - The Break at the Top needs to be closed - so the tongue is pressed up against the roof of the mouth - connecting the Ren and Du meridians.
These are physically developed by holding them still when practicing Standing (站樁 Zhan Zhuang) or Turning (行樁 Xing Zhuang).
They are physically applied and used in movement when Striking (打 Da) and Changing (換 Huan) where you would quickly do these in a certain order and essentially execute a 發力 'Fa Li' (Issue/ Emit Power) with the whole body - Dantian, waist, spine, chest, arms, and legs. From the 丹田 Dantian - out 命門 Mingmen point, up the 督脉 Du Meridian to attack 'Fa' 發; Then back down the 任脉 Ren Meridian to the Dantian to store-up 'Xu' 蓄.
It is important to know that the Eight principles that are derived from the trigrams are vitally important to improving health and fighting ability. The key to improvement is that everything must change and adapt, so these principles should be done at all times while training and fighting in order to make them work naturally.
There are 8 key points in the training of Baguazhang which come from the 8 Trigrams and are based on whether a line is solid or broken and where the line is situated.
☰ Qian Heaven - The Top, Middle, and Bottom are solid and coordinated - meaning the Three Harmonies of Eyes (yi/intent), Hands, and Feet arrive at the same time.
☳ Zhen Thunder - The Bottom is held solid - meaning the ten toes must grasp the ground which slightly raises up and activates 湧泉 Yongquan point in the arch of the foot.
☵ Kan Water - The Middle is held solid - meaning the 丹田 Dantian is kept solid and full.
☶ Gen Mountain - The Top is held solid - meaning the crown of the head is raised up, and the chin is tucked which closes off 大椎 Da Chui point, closing off of the whole neck. The back is also rounded and held strong, giving strength to the two shoulders and arms.
☷ Kun Earth - The Top, Middle, and Bottom - Arms (shoulder, elbow, wrist), Torso (waist, chest, neck), and Legs (ankle, knees, hips) are flowing and open.
☴ Xun Wind - The Break at the Bottom needs to be closed - so the tailbone/ coccyx is tucked under and 會陰 Huiyun point is held taught and contracting upward.
☲ Li Flame - The Break in the Middle needs to be closed - so the chest is concaved to keep the opening to the 中廷 Zhong Ting (heart and solar plexus area) protected.
☱ Dui Swamp - The Break at the Top needs to be closed - so the tongue is pressed up against the roof of the mouth - connecting the Ren and Du meridians.
These are physically developed by holding them still when practicing Standing (站樁 Zhan Zhuang) or Turning (行樁 Xing Zhuang).
They are physically applied and used in movement when Striking (打 Da) and Changing (換 Huan) where you would quickly do these in a certain order and essentially execute a 發力 'Fa Li' (Issue/ Emit Power) with the whole body - Dantian, waist, spine, chest, arms, and legs. From the 丹田 Dantian - out 命門 Mingmen point, up the 督脉 Du Meridian to attack 'Fa' 發; Then back down the 任脉 Ren Meridian to the Dantian to store-up 'Xu' 蓄.
五力 THE FIVE FORCES
'Li' is physical force derived from the working of the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system. These movements generally involve the whole body and in Yin Style Bagua there are basically five ways to achieve this without breaking the principles of being an internal art. Note that many strikes contain the overlapping of one or more forces.
逆力 Ni Li ( Opposing, Moving against )- This force generates a scissors like effect when the upper and lower body oppose each other, stretching and twisting the major muscles and tissues of the torso. The power arrives when the body snaps back into its natural state. This force is circular and on a relatively horizontal plane.
順力 Shun Li ( Unifying, Moving with )- This force generates a whole-body power when all the separate parts are moving in unity and in the same direction. The shoulders, waist, and hips will all be in time and in perfect unison. This force is also circular and on a relatively horizontal plane.
含力 Han Li ( Concaving, Containing )- This force is circular but can be done on horizontal, diagonal, and vertical planes. Its done through a combination of the lengthening and contracting ability of the spine/torso and the ability of the arms and shoulders to work in unison.
挺力 Ting Li ( Straight, Driving )- This force is generated at the back foot, which then travels up the leg to the tailbone and then outward in any direction in a relatively horizontal plane. The power comes from the connection between the hand and the lower spine, any line of force can be traced back through the arm to the lower spine and then to the ground. The back foot is strongly rooted and the joints of the arm are held immovable through the strength of the tendons and ligaments.
登力 Deng Li ( Spiraling)- This force comes from the legs and their connection to the ground, it is done in a circular manner and usually on an upward diagonal plane. The power comes from the foot, spiraling or corkscrewing upward through the legs, hips, torso, and finally through the arms and upon meeting resistance it traces the same route back to the ground. It can also be done by using the hinge joint power of the leg which is a sixth type of force called 崩 Beng. Which roughly translates as a Springing Force. This force sends a straight abrupt stopping force along a horizontal plane through the body. Since both of these forces involve the use of the legs and are interchangeable but not combined, they therefore count as one force.
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The 順力 'Shun Li' (Moving In the Same direction) Force is twisting or turning the body - hips, waist, shoulders in the same direction, like hitting a baseball with a bat.
The 逆力 'Ni Li' (Moving in the opposite direction) Force is moving different parts of the body in opposite directions such as right arm opposite the left leg and creating a large stretch across the body and releasing to power the movement. Kind of like how the Pitcher throws the baseball.
The most widely practiced style of Baguazhang in the world is the 龍形 Dragon System (Cheng Tinghua's specialty). It's main method of power comes from using the 含力 'Han Li' (Containing; Hollowing Force) which is the coordination between the chest and the 2 shoulders. This is kind of like using a pair of bolt-cutters, where you could have the hands horizontal to cut or have them vertical, one above the other, or any degree in between and the power comes from 'Han'/ hollowing the chest. If the bolt-cutters get stuck closed the opposite movement is used to open them and the 含力 'Han Li' Force is both closing and opening.
The use of and coordination of both arms and shoulders is stated in the classic description of the Dragon that it's "Pushing, Lifting, Carrying, and Leading techniques are all done in front of the chest." This 'force' and power generation is similar to many of the Southern Chinese Martial Arts and Hakka Kuen (客家拳 - Kejia Quan) systems including the Southern Dragon style (龍形摩橋). This is disguised though and doesn't look quite the same in Baguazhang because of larger degree of twisting the waist and standing in a side-forward-stance.
The 含力 'Han Li' (Containing Force) shouldn't be confused with 發力 Fa Li / 發勁 Fa jin (Issuing; Emitting; Sending out Force) even though they both use the same 'hollowing' of the chest.
發力 'Fa Li' is another mechanical movement or 'force' that can be done on top of the 'Five Forces', and then also done with changes in tension, relaxation, or strength, etc. to create different 勁'Jins' or 發勁 Fa jin.
In Chinese Martial Arts the 五弓 Wu Gong (5 Bows - as in 'bow & arrow') are the 1- spinal column, 2&3 - the two arms, 4&5 - the two legs. However the 5 Bows need to be trained and developed over a long period of time as everyone actually starts with 六弓 Liu Gong (6 Bows) where in the untrained the spinal column functions as two separate units: 1 - the Thoracic spine and 2 - the Lumbar spine.
'Li' is physical force derived from the working of the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system. These movements generally involve the whole body and in Yin Style Bagua there are basically five ways to achieve this without breaking the principles of being an internal art. Note that many strikes contain the overlapping of one or more forces.
逆力 Ni Li ( Opposing, Moving against )- This force generates a scissors like effect when the upper and lower body oppose each other, stretching and twisting the major muscles and tissues of the torso. The power arrives when the body snaps back into its natural state. This force is circular and on a relatively horizontal plane.
順力 Shun Li ( Unifying, Moving with )- This force generates a whole-body power when all the separate parts are moving in unity and in the same direction. The shoulders, waist, and hips will all be in time and in perfect unison. This force is also circular and on a relatively horizontal plane.
含力 Han Li ( Concaving, Containing )- This force is circular but can be done on horizontal, diagonal, and vertical planes. Its done through a combination of the lengthening and contracting ability of the spine/torso and the ability of the arms and shoulders to work in unison.
挺力 Ting Li ( Straight, Driving )- This force is generated at the back foot, which then travels up the leg to the tailbone and then outward in any direction in a relatively horizontal plane. The power comes from the connection between the hand and the lower spine, any line of force can be traced back through the arm to the lower spine and then to the ground. The back foot is strongly rooted and the joints of the arm are held immovable through the strength of the tendons and ligaments.
登力 Deng Li ( Spiraling)- This force comes from the legs and their connection to the ground, it is done in a circular manner and usually on an upward diagonal plane. The power comes from the foot, spiraling or corkscrewing upward through the legs, hips, torso, and finally through the arms and upon meeting resistance it traces the same route back to the ground. It can also be done by using the hinge joint power of the leg which is a sixth type of force called 崩 Beng. Which roughly translates as a Springing Force. This force sends a straight abrupt stopping force along a horizontal plane through the body. Since both of these forces involve the use of the legs and are interchangeable but not combined, they therefore count as one force.
-------------
The 順力 'Shun Li' (Moving In the Same direction) Force is twisting or turning the body - hips, waist, shoulders in the same direction, like hitting a baseball with a bat.
The 逆力 'Ni Li' (Moving in the opposite direction) Force is moving different parts of the body in opposite directions such as right arm opposite the left leg and creating a large stretch across the body and releasing to power the movement. Kind of like how the Pitcher throws the baseball.
The most widely practiced style of Baguazhang in the world is the 龍形 Dragon System (Cheng Tinghua's specialty). It's main method of power comes from using the 含力 'Han Li' (Containing; Hollowing Force) which is the coordination between the chest and the 2 shoulders. This is kind of like using a pair of bolt-cutters, where you could have the hands horizontal to cut or have them vertical, one above the other, or any degree in between and the power comes from 'Han'/ hollowing the chest. If the bolt-cutters get stuck closed the opposite movement is used to open them and the 含力 'Han Li' Force is both closing and opening.
The use of and coordination of both arms and shoulders is stated in the classic description of the Dragon that it's "Pushing, Lifting, Carrying, and Leading techniques are all done in front of the chest." This 'force' and power generation is similar to many of the Southern Chinese Martial Arts and Hakka Kuen (客家拳 - Kejia Quan) systems including the Southern Dragon style (龍形摩橋). This is disguised though and doesn't look quite the same in Baguazhang because of larger degree of twisting the waist and standing in a side-forward-stance.
The 含力 'Han Li' (Containing Force) shouldn't be confused with 發力 Fa Li / 發勁 Fa jin (Issuing; Emitting; Sending out Force) even though they both use the same 'hollowing' of the chest.
發力 'Fa Li' is another mechanical movement or 'force' that can be done on top of the 'Five Forces', and then also done with changes in tension, relaxation, or strength, etc. to create different 勁'Jins' or 發勁 Fa jin.
In Chinese Martial Arts the 五弓 Wu Gong (5 Bows - as in 'bow & arrow') are the 1- spinal column, 2&3 - the two arms, 4&5 - the two legs. However the 5 Bows need to be trained and developed over a long period of time as everyone actually starts with 六弓 Liu Gong (6 Bows) where in the untrained the spinal column functions as two separate units: 1 - the Thoracic spine and 2 - the Lumbar spine.
發力 FA LI - PRACTICING WITH POWER
静如山岳，动如江河。
Be steady and strong like a mountain, but move fluidly like a river.
蓄劲如开弓，发劲如放箭。
Store/gather up Jin like drawing back a bow, emitting jin (fajin) is like releasing the arrow.
曲中求直，蓄而后发。
Bend the middle in order to straighten, first gathering up and then it's emitted (fa).
力由脊发，步随身换。
Power comes from the spine emitting (fa), the stepping follows the changes of the body.
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When the 尾閭骨 tailbone/coccyx tucks under this jolts the Dantian and starts the movement of the spine, it also opens the 命門 Mingmen point (below L2 vertebrae- middle of the lumbar) which allows the power from the Dantian to exit into the back and travel up the spine to 大椎 Dachui point where it's diverted out to the shoulder and to the hand.
大椎 Dachui point (below c7 vertebrae) and above, is blocked off by raising the crown of the head (stretching up the neck vertebrae) then tucking in the chin which locks-in and holds the whole neck and head strong as if resisting someone pressing against the forehead. This is what diverts the power out to the hands.
This method of using the spinal column to add in a secondary force to a strike or throw is called 波浪勁 Bo Lang Jin (Crashing/ Breaking Wave Power).
-----------------
There's some Basic ways of looking at Force in the Chinese Martial Systems. Which also represent a natural progression or order that they're learned in so that one fully develops the skills. Note that these also pertain to the order of the Post-Heaven Bagua - starting with the Qian Trigram Lion system.
1. 衝擊力 Chōngjī Lì (Impact or Thrusting Force) a.k.a. 撞擊力 Zhuàngjī Li (Hitting; Colliding Force) is the standard way that all the worlds martial artists punch and strike. It's like hitting a nail with a hammer. When we speak of Forces or adding in forces this is the 1st force. This is the initial contact of fist to body. (Lion System)
2. 螺旋力 Luoxuan Li (Spiraling; Drilling Force) or 自轉力 Zìzhuàn Li (Rotating Force) is when one physically twists, drills, and rotates the fist, bones of the forearm, and shoulder as the strike is landing or the arm is bridging. (Snake System)
3. 發力 'Fa Li' is another mechanical movement or 'force' that can be done in addition to the 衝擊力 Chōngjī Lì force and adds in a 2nd movement and a following force to the initial strike. This is done through a quick movement of the spine, coordinated with the movement of the arms and legs. Storing up (蓄 xù) then releasing (發 fa) and the secondary force travels out through the arms. There's a term in Chinese Arts called the 五弓 Wu Gong (5 Bows -as in 'bow & arrow') meaning the 1- spinal column, 2&3 - the two arms, 4&5 - the two legs. The movements in the CMAs are said to start at the 'root and not the tip' - the root of the arm is the shoulder, the root of the leg is the hip, and the root of the spine is the tailbone or sacrum and tucking the tailbone under with a fast quick movement is how we 發力 Fa Li / 發勁 Fa jin, which is also called 波浪勁 Bo Lang Jin (Wave Power a.k.a. Spinal Wave).
Learning to 發力 'Fa Li' is a precursor to learning the following 2 Forces:
4． 爆破力 Baopo Li (Exploding Force) a.k.a. 寸力 Cùn Li (Inch Force) is the ability to generate force in a very short space. After one first learns to 'Fa Li' with the spine then they can begin to learn this force where you need to store up (蓄 xù) very quickly and efficiently, or rather the storing up part needs to also be done within a short or confined space and then release the force (發 fa) in an equally as quick manner, like a quick pulse rather than a wave, and this could be a short movement or long movement of the arm with the quick pulse at the end. (Bear System)
and
5. 振動力 - Zhen Dongli (Shocking Force) a.k.a. 抖勁 Dǒujìn (trembling; shaking energy). This is quick sudden variations in the 肌肉 jīròu (muscles and flesh) and a shifting between 鬆 sōng (relaxation) and 緊 jǐn (tension). The goal of this force is that it 透勁 tòujìn (penetrates; passes through) and into the internal organs of the opponent, damaging them. It's also used in quick succession to take the slack out of the opponent's limbs and joints and thereby being able to affect their spinal column and whole body, primarily to aid in throwing but the shaking/shocking can itself cause soft tissue damage to the limbs and body, and even whiplash or injure the neck. This power and force that comes from the 發力 'Fa Li' and movement of the spine and the movement of the of the Dantian, which when moved it's force is somewhat 'omnidirectional', or expanding outward in all directions, so a good portion of the power is also going down to the foot and this is the reason for the rule of "The hand and foot arriving at the same time." or timing the landing of the foot with the hand hitting the opponent so that most of the force goes into the opponent. If the foot lands before the hand then most of the force is dissipated into the ground. We take advantage of this force traveling to the leg and the 振動力 - Zhen Dongli (Shocking Force) is actually a 3rd outgoing force into the opponent, arriving just after the 1st (衝擊力 Chōngjī Lì) and the 2nd (發力 'Fa Li' ). So this 振 Zhèn (Shocking force) comes from using some of our Intent (意 'Yi') to 發 'Fa' into the feet while the upper body is relaxed and then a delayed force comes back up from the ground and adds in a 3rd dispersive or explosive force to the initial strike. (Dragon System)
静如山岳，动如江河。
Be steady and strong like a mountain, but move fluidly like a river.
蓄劲如开弓，发劲如放箭。
Store/gather up Jin like drawing back a bow, emitting jin (fajin) is like releasing the arrow.
曲中求直，蓄而后发。
Bend the middle in order to straighten, first gathering up and then it's emitted (fa).
力由脊发，步随身换。
Power comes from the spine emitting (fa), the stepping follows the changes of the body.
-----------------
When the 尾閭骨 tailbone/coccyx tucks under this jolts the Dantian and starts the movement of the spine, it also opens the 命門 Mingmen point (below L2 vertebrae- middle of the lumbar) which allows the power from the Dantian to exit into the back and travel up the spine to 大椎 Dachui point where it's diverted out to the shoulder and to the hand.
大椎 Dachui point (below c7 vertebrae) and above, is blocked off by raising the crown of the head (stretching up the neck vertebrae) then tucking in the chin which locks-in and holds the whole neck and head strong as if resisting someone pressing against the forehead. This is what diverts the power out to the hands.
This method of using the spinal column to add in a secondary force to a strike or throw is called 波浪勁 Bo Lang Jin (Crashing/ Breaking Wave Power).
-----------------
There's some Basic ways of looking at Force in the Chinese Martial Systems. Which also represent a natural progression or order that they're learned in so that one fully develops the skills. Note that these also pertain to the order of the Post-Heaven Bagua - starting with the Qian Trigram Lion system.
1. 衝擊力 Chōngjī Lì (Impact or Thrusting Force) a.k.a. 撞擊力 Zhuàngjī Li (Hitting; Colliding Force) is the standard way that all the worlds martial artists punch and strike. It's like hitting a nail with a hammer. When we speak of Forces or adding in forces this is the 1st force. This is the initial contact of fist to body. (Lion System)
2. 螺旋力 Luoxuan Li (Spiraling; Drilling Force) or 自轉力 Zìzhuàn Li (Rotating Force) is when one physically twists, drills, and rotates the fist, bones of the forearm, and shoulder as the strike is landing or the arm is bridging. (Snake System)
3. 發力 'Fa Li' is another mechanical movement or 'force' that can be done in addition to the 衝擊力 Chōngjī Lì force and adds in a 2nd movement and a following force to the initial strike. This is done through a quick movement of the spine, coordinated with the movement of the arms and legs. Storing up (蓄 xù) then releasing (發 fa) and the secondary force travels out through the arms. There's a term in Chinese Arts called the 五弓 Wu Gong (5 Bows -as in 'bow & arrow') meaning the 1- spinal column, 2&3 - the two arms, 4&5 - the two legs. The movements in the CMAs are said to start at the 'root and not the tip' - the root of the arm is the shoulder, the root of the leg is the hip, and the root of the spine is the tailbone or sacrum and tucking the tailbone under with a fast quick movement is how we 發力 Fa Li / 發勁 Fa jin, which is also called 波浪勁 Bo Lang Jin (Wave Power a.k.a. Spinal Wave).
Learning to 發力 'Fa Li' is a precursor to learning the following 2 Forces:
4． 爆破力 Baopo Li (Exploding Force) a.k.a. 寸力 Cùn Li (Inch Force) is the ability to generate force in a very short space. After one first learns to 'Fa Li' with the spine then they can begin to learn this force where you need to store up (蓄 xù) very quickly and efficiently, or rather the storing up part needs to also be done within a short or confined space and then release the force (發 fa) in an equally as quick manner, like a quick pulse rather than a wave, and this could be a short movement or long movement of the arm with the quick pulse at the end. (Bear System)
and
5. 振動力 - Zhen Dongli (Shocking Force) a.k.a. 抖勁 Dǒujìn (trembling; shaking energy). This is quick sudden variations in the 肌肉 jīròu (muscles and flesh) and a shifting between 鬆 sōng (relaxation) and 緊 jǐn (tension). The goal of this force is that it 透勁 tòujìn (penetrates; passes through) and into the internal organs of the opponent, damaging them. It's also used in quick succession to take the slack out of the opponent's limbs and joints and thereby being able to affect their spinal column and whole body, primarily to aid in throwing but the shaking/shocking can itself cause soft tissue damage to the limbs and body, and even whiplash or injure the neck. This power and force that comes from the 發力 'Fa Li' and movement of the spine and the movement of the of the Dantian, which when moved it's force is somewhat 'omnidirectional', or expanding outward in all directions, so a good portion of the power is also going down to the foot and this is the reason for the rule of "The hand and foot arriving at the same time." or timing the landing of the foot with the hand hitting the opponent so that most of the force goes into the opponent. If the foot lands before the hand then most of the force is dissipated into the ground. We take advantage of this force traveling to the leg and the 振動力 - Zhen Dongli (Shocking Force) is actually a 3rd outgoing force into the opponent, arriving just after the 1st (衝擊力 Chōngjī Lì) and the 2nd (發力 'Fa Li' ). So this 振 Zhèn (Shocking force) comes from using some of our Intent (意 'Yi') to 發 'Fa' into the feet while the upper body is relaxed and then a delayed force comes back up from the ground and adds in a 3rd dispersive or explosive force to the initial strike. (Dragon System)
站桩 ZHAN ZHUANG - STANDING PRACTICE
尹氏八卦掌桩法简介
{A brief introduction to Yin Style Baguazhang Standing Methods (Zhuang Fa).}
贺进宝 {By He Jinbao}
尹氏八卦掌根据八卦的象意，
{Yin Style Baguazhang is based upon the Bagua and the "Book of Changes" (易經 Yìjīng) to describe the physical shape and meaning.}
设置八形掌法，分别是:
{It uses eight shapes/ systems of fighting methods. Each one is distinguished from one another:}
乾卦狮形连环掌、
{The Qián Guà Lion System 连环掌 Lián Huán Zhǎng - Interlocking Palm}
坤卦麟形返身掌、
{The Kun Guà Lin System 返身掌 Fǎn Shēn Zhǎng - Returning Body Palm}
震卦龙形平托掌、
{The Zhen Guà Dragon System 平托掌 Píng Tuō Zhǎng - Supporting and Lifting Palm}
巽卦凤形风轮掌、
{The Xun Guà Phoenix System 风轮掌 Fēng Lún Zhǎng - Wind Wheel Palm}
坎卦蛇形顺势掌、
{The Kǎn Guà Snake System 顺势掌 Shùn Shì Zhǎng - Moving with the Force Palm}
离卦鸡形卧势掌、
{The Li Guà Rooster System 卧势掌 Wò Shì Zhǎng - Crouching under the Force Palm}
艮卦熊形背身掌、
{The Gen Guà Bear System 背身掌 Bèi Shēn Zhǎng - Behind the Back Palm}
兑卦猴形抱势掌。
{The Dui Guà Monkey System 抱势掌 Bào Shì Zhǎng - Enfolding the Force Palm}
其功法由四个部分组成：站、转、打、换。站是站桩，转是走转，打是技击，换是变化。各形掌法都有与之相应的桩功。
{The practice of developing the body (功法 Gong Fa) is divided into four parts: 站 Zhan (Standing), 转 Zhuan (Turning), 打 Da (Drilling Strikes), and 换 Huan (Changing). Standing is 站桩 Zhàn Zhuāng (Standing Staked). Turning is 走轉 Zǒu Zhuàn (Walking Turning). Striking is training the skill of hitting (擊 Jī). Changing develops variation and adaptability (变化 Biànhuà).
Each of the eight systems has their own corresponding Standing Postures that develop their individual methods.}
These Representative Standing Postures also develop the strength in the arms and hands for an Animal's 8 Attack Methods (八能 Bā Néng). In most of the Animals the back arm is developing the first 4, while the front arm is developing the last 4 methods. Using the Dragon's posture as an example - the back arm is developing the 推 1- Tuī (Pushing), 托 2- Tuō (Lifting), 帶 3- Dài (Carrying), and 領 4- Lǐng (Leading) Attack Methods. While the front arm is developing the 搬 5- Bān (Moving), 扣 6- Kòu (Capturing), 劈 7- Pī (Chopping), and 進 8- Jìn (Entering) Attack Methods.
換 HUAN - PRACTICING FORMS
換 Huàn means 'to change'. We 'change' by practicing short combination forms of 3, 5, 7, or 9 different movements which gradually begins to impart the skill called 變化 Biànhuà (Adaptability). This skill is a must when it comes to actual fighting and applying one's martial art while still reacting to the 'changes' (attacks) that the opponent is using.
The Practice of 換 Huàn (Changing) is different from 'Drilling Single Strikes', where the ending and starting point of the strike, on both the left and right side, is always the same and a pattern or rhythm begins to develop. Drilling single strikes is for power development; Practicing forms imparts the ability of 變化 Biànhuà (Adaptability). When practicing forms, however, the skill of 變化 Biànhuà comes over time as one learns to move and generate a clean, crisp, and fast Power, from differing starting positions, until the whole form can be done with power (發力 Fa Li) in every strike.When it comes to fighting one may only have to actually Issue Power (發力 Fa Li) only a few times during the course of the fight but when that opportunity is going to arise is unknown, so it's important to train to the point where one can Issue at any time and from any position they may find themselves in.
Practicing the 換 Huàn (Changing) is begun while practicing 'Circle Walking'- ( 轉圈 Zhuàn Quān(Turning [in a] Circle) a.k.a. - 行樁 Xing Zhuang (Moving [while] Standing Postures), or 走轉 Zǒu Zhuàn (Walking [while] Turning)) and executing short 換式法 huan shi fa (Basic Direction Changing Methods) to 'turn' (轉 Zhuàn), and begin circling in the opposite direction. These are typically 3 movements.
However, the core of the Yin Style Bagua curriculum is contained in the practice of 套路 Tàolù (Sequence of Movements) which consist of 7 movements, done on The Square (方 Fāng) within the Circle (圈 Quān).
When 'changing' the feet can step on the 4 corners, the 4 sides, or the center of the square. The size of the circle is roughly the same diameter as one's own height. When standing on 2 corners, along a side of the square, then one is in a 'Double-shoulder width Stance'. Standing on 1 corner and the middle of the side, then one is in 'Shoulder-width Stance'.
The Forms are done while Circle Walking, using a 扣步 Kou Bu (Hook Step), then one begins to follow a stepping pattern around the square, then a finishing move, and return to Circle Walking in the opposite direction. When practicing Forms one should only turn 1 or 2 revolutions around the circle, then execute the form on the opposite side. This should be done as if it's a drill, and for as long a period of time as one can stand. Form work should be done at a different time, or separated from the practice of 'Circle Walking' - where one is just 'turning in a circle' for an extended length of time.
Here's the stepping pattern for the Lion System 削 Xiāo (Sweeping) Strike, using the 顺势掌 Shùn Shì Zhǎng (Moving with the Force Strategy);
Or the ☰ Qián Guà borrowing the strategy of the ☵ Kǎn Guà - 訟 (sòng) Hexagram:
䷅
_______________________
Using the 卧势掌 Wo Shì Zhǎng (Crouching Step Strategy) with the long, low 卧步 Wo Bu (Crouching Step) is slightly different. Standing on 1 corner and the opposite corner, diagonally across the square, is a Medium Crouching Step. As you can see in the picture to execute a Long Crouching Step one has to step outside the circle and the Square becomes a Rectangle.
Lion System 削 Xiāo (Sweeping) Strike, using the 卧势掌 Wo Shì Zhǎng (Crouching Step Form);
Or the ☰ Qián Guà borrowing the strategy of the ☲ Lí Guà - 大有 (Dà Yǒu) Hexagram:
䷌
換 Huàn means 'to change'. We 'change' by practicing short combination forms of 3, 5, 7, or 9 different movements which gradually begins to impart the skill called 變化 Biànhuà (Adaptability). This skill is a must when it comes to actual fighting and applying one's martial art while still reacting to the 'changes' (attacks) that the opponent is using.
The Practice of 換 Huàn (Changing) is different from 'Drilling Single Strikes', where the ending and starting point of the strike, on both the left and right side, is always the same and a pattern or rhythm begins to develop. Drilling single strikes is for power development; Practicing forms imparts the ability of 變化 Biànhuà (Adaptability). When practicing forms, however, the skill of 變化 Biànhuà comes over time as one learns to move and generate a clean, crisp, and fast Power, from differing starting positions, until the whole form can be done with power (發力 Fa Li) in every strike.When it comes to fighting one may only have to actually Issue Power (發力 Fa Li) only a few times during the course of the fight but when that opportunity is going to arise is unknown, so it's important to train to the point where one can Issue at any time and from any position they may find themselves in.
Practicing the 換 Huàn (Changing) is begun while practicing 'Circle Walking'- ( 轉圈 Zhuàn Quān(Turning [in a] Circle) a.k.a. - 行樁 Xing Zhuang (Moving [while] Standing Postures), or 走轉 Zǒu Zhuàn (Walking [while] Turning)) and executing short 換式法 huan shi fa (Basic Direction Changing Methods) to 'turn' (轉 Zhuàn), and begin circling in the opposite direction. These are typically 3 movements.
However, the core of the Yin Style Bagua curriculum is contained in the practice of 套路 Tàolù (Sequence of Movements) which consist of 7 movements, done on The Square (方 Fāng) within the Circle (圈 Quān).
When 'changing' the feet can step on the 4 corners, the 4 sides, or the center of the square. The size of the circle is roughly the same diameter as one's own height. When standing on 2 corners, along a side of the square, then one is in a 'Double-shoulder width Stance'. Standing on 1 corner and the middle of the side, then one is in 'Shoulder-width Stance'.
The Forms are done while Circle Walking, using a 扣步 Kou Bu (Hook Step), then one begins to follow a stepping pattern around the square, then a finishing move, and return to Circle Walking in the opposite direction. When practicing Forms one should only turn 1 or 2 revolutions around the circle, then execute the form on the opposite side. This should be done as if it's a drill, and for as long a period of time as one can stand. Form work should be done at a different time, or separated from the practice of 'Circle Walking' - where one is just 'turning in a circle' for an extended length of time.
Here's the stepping pattern for the Lion System 削 Xiāo (Sweeping) Strike, using the 顺势掌 Shùn Shì Zhǎng (Moving with the Force Strategy);
Or the ☰ Qián Guà borrowing the strategy of the ☵ Kǎn Guà - 訟 (sòng) Hexagram:
䷅
_______________________
Using the 卧势掌 Wo Shì Zhǎng (Crouching Step Strategy) with the long, low 卧步 Wo Bu (Crouching Step) is slightly different. Standing on 1 corner and the opposite corner, diagonally across the square, is a Medium Crouching Step. As you can see in the picture to execute a Long Crouching Step one has to step outside the circle and the Square becomes a Rectangle.
Lion System 削 Xiāo (Sweeping) Strike, using the 卧势掌 Wo Shì Zhǎng (Crouching Step Form);
Or the ☰ Qián Guà borrowing the strategy of the ☲ Lí Guà - 大有 (Dà Yǒu) Hexagram:
䷌
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