The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang

it is one of the most essential books you should have , it is easy written and easely to study from.

Excellent! One of the best guide books on the art of Baguazhang. Also check out the book on the subject by Mr. Liang, Dr. Yang and Mr. Wu. Mr. Wu is my teacher here in RI and is one of the nicest men I have met in the martial arts world. He also very knowledgeable on the subject and has all the proper credentials to back up his teaching skills. In this particular book though, it takes Baguazhang from a different point of view. It is more like a dance stepping graphic look at the stepping pattern. Which becomes extremely helpful when linked with Mr. Wu's book. The two complement each other really well. So if you want to nail down the concept of Baguazhang, get the two volumes of this book and the book on Baguazhang by Mr. Liang. Dr. Yang and Mr. Wen-Ching Wu.

Continues where Vol. I left off. A wonderful, intricately written, detailed book describing the fundamentals of Ba Gua training. Emphasis is on the complex biomechanics behind Ba Gua stepping, striking, and training methods, including introductory chi kung. This is not a book describing Master Park's Ba Gua Palms or advanced forms, but it is a DETAILED description of fundamental techniques appropriate as a learning aid for the beginning or intermediate Ba Gua student. Along with Vol. 1, Mr. Miller and Master Park take the reader through step-by-step descriptions of body motions for various strikes, stepping techniques, circle walking, and basic chi kung. Especially valuable in my opinion were the detailed descriptions of the strikes-- concentrating on the all-important pelvis and trunk as the generators of power.For the intermediate-advanced student, there is not enough (in my opinion) description or discussion of body structural alignments, power generation while moving, or combat theory. I also would have liked to see sample lesson outlines-- typical training progression over a ten year period, for example. But this would be more appropriate for a Vol. III!For the fundamentals it covers, however, this book is a must-have for serious Ba Gua practitioners! Highly recommended!

After reading the first volume, I sought out the student group under Sifu Park nearest me and began training. Sifu Park is a wonderful teacher and holds nothing back in imparting the system which he has inherited. Volume II of Sifu Park's book contains yet another wealth of information while emphasizing the basic and fundamental concepts laid out in the first. It is meant to read and used as a written reference for those who have already learned the content of the first volume. I write "learned" rather than "mastered" because it takes years of practice to truly master the contents of the first volume. In the second volume, Sifu Park begins to build up the student's repertoire of techniques, fundamental exercises, and theoretical concepts. Generally speaking, in Sifu's school and study groups, it takes about a year to two years (depending on your background and willingness to practice) to get a handle on all of the teachings from the first voume. The second volume could easily take six to seven years of practice before one learns everything. Sifu also begins to show some fighting applications and the "variations on a theme" concepts that are Pa Kua trademarks. If one wishes to learn the exercises within these books, the videos are essential if a student group is not readily available. However, without the videos, the books give excellent insights into not only what is known as the most effective internal martial art created but also into general martial arts practice, applications, and the building of good fundamentals.