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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.815
EAN num: 9781583942147
ISBN number: 1583942149
Label: Blue Snake Books
Manufacturer: Blue Snake Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 224
Printing Date: March 25, 2008
Publishing house: Blue Snake Books
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Sale Popularity Level: 338978
Studio: Blue Snake Books
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Ba gua is one of the internal styles of the Chinese martial arts, a 'circular' walking technique that helps train the mind and body to recognize and accept change. Characterized by its spinning movements and extremely evasive footwork, ba gua is often used as a means to protect others, much like a good mother holding her child’s hand as they cross a busy street. In this combination of philosophical treatise, health manual, and self-defense text, Allen Pittman details the history, philosophy, and techniques of straight-line ba gua zhang, which means “eight trigram palm” in reference to the seminal trigrams of the I Ching. The book contains eight parts corresponding to the eight sections of the I Ching, each representing a different elemental manifestation and martial arts principle. Descriptions of the symbology, cultural, anatomical, and tactical details of each set are taught as well as detailed instructions on the form practice. Illustrated throughout with step-by-step drawings and photographs, the book shows how ba gua zhang, driven by I Ching wisdom, helps students cultivate a sense of centeredness and spontaneity and use this “martial art” in every aspect of their lives.
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I purchased this book after reading an interesting interview with Allen Pittman in the book "Nei Jia Quan: Internal Martial Arts", edited by Jess O'Brien. While bagua seems best known for it's circular forms, "Walking the I Ching" focuses on one particular form in the Gao style that is composed of linear movements. The form consists of 64 sequences of movements, grouped into 8 "Houses" which correspond to the I Ching. The houses are based on the five elements and other natural features such as mountains, thunder, etc. Each movement is illustrated by line drawings and clear descriptive text. The very first part of the book includes sections on the history, philosophy, and basics of bagua. The most interesting part of the book for me was the introductory section to each of the 8 houses, which include cultural connections, anatomical and tactical considerations, primary symbols and totems, with a meditation for each house. The Taoist concepts are compared and contrasted with a wide range of Eastern and Western esoteric systems. Unfortunately these sections were just a few pages long, so I hope the author will expand on these ideas in a future book. A DVD of the form is available on the Physical Training Traditions web site.
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