Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang, Volume One

As Zheng states in his book, 'Bagua is not just one of the best martial arts, Bagua is very closely related to the main part of Chinese culture". The first volume of a series on this important form, "Liu Bin's Zhuong Gong Bagua Zhang" is written from the perspective of a wise master who gives equal attention to the history that is directly responsible to Bagua's evolution as to the art and practice of Bagua itself. From his own personal experiences growing up in China, including being a student during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, to the history of the first practitioners of Bagua, the information here forms an enriching tapestry that fully immerses the reader in all aspects of this important martial art.In addition to a practical manual, the fundamental theories of Bagua are presented in such a way as to function simultaneously as a guide for everyday living. The idea of balance in all things is a topic stressed time and time again. Chinese philosophy in general is given high importance with quotes from Lao Tzu and Confucius being employed as a 'useful way to lead you to a real understanding of the great hall of Chinese culture'. This book contains everything the Bagua Zhang practitioner could want and is written by a master who was more immersed in the culture than any Western practitioner could ever be. For Professor Zhang, the history of Bagua wasn't something to be learned from already-published researched on the subject but learned at the feet of a 4th generation master and others whom he visited during the writing of this book. In addition to practical illustrations of the Bagua movements, this book contains historical photographs that have never been published before.