Ba Gua Chang is an internal Chinese martial art based off the Ba Gua,
which is a collection of eight diagrams (or symbols) consisting of
solid and broken lines. Ba Gua Chang translates to 8 Trigram Boxing. It
is the youngest of the internal arts and its introduction is credited
to Dong Hai Chuan in the early 19th century. Ba Gua is characterized by
its elusive, soft, flowing and continuous circular movements.
Ba Gua Chang training consists of two mutually
related ideas: First, the study of its Pre-Birth "pure" forms, each of
which are a collection of eight movements performed while walking a
circle around a centerpoint. Each Pre-Birth form represents one of the
eight diagrams. Secondly, the study of its Post Birth Tactical Ba Gua
forms, which are a collection of sixty-four tactical movements
performed in a straight line that are derived from the combinations of
the Pre-Birth Forms (8 x 8 =64).
Ba Gua Chang is often taught in conjunction with
Hsing I Chuan, or as a companion to
Tai Chi Chuan.
Sifu Douglas
Lawrence
may also be contacted at
dlawrence@itama.org
for
Private Lessons in the East Lansing, Michigan
area.
