Baguazhang

0,00 €

Sports and Martial Arts

Phillip Starr

North Atlantic

Language of origin

Publication date

Infos :

Page Count: 240
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Carton Count: 36
Illustrations: 200-300 B&W PHOTOS

 

Fundamentals, Applications, and Footwork

A comprehensive guide to the fundamentals, sequences, and applications of Baguazhang.

Baguazhang is unquestionably one of the most esoteric disciplines in martial arts. Based on the eight trigrams (bagua) of the Yi Jing, baguazhang emphasizes the importance of maneuverability, evasion, and change to deflect an aggressor’s attacks. Unlike martial arts systems that employ overt punches, kicks, and grappling techniques, most of the bodily weapons of the baguazhang arsenal are well concealed, agile, and smooth. Utilizing deceptive forms of footwork and body shifting, the principles and techniques of Baguazhang will help readers develop a firm foundation and build a critical skill set for this unique martial art.

Longtime martial arts practitioner and author Phillip Starr introduces readers to the fundamentals of baguazhang, showing how the movements of this enigmatic and widely misunderstood art can be practically applied in self-defense. Readers will learn:

Key baguazhang principles
Footholds
Basic stepping techniques, walking exercises, and postures
Proper alignments
“Mother palms,” or basic exercises critical to the development of the “bagua body”

Ideal for newcomers to baguazhang, this introduction elucidates the two foundational Single Change and Double Change Palms and offers a refresher for advanced practitioners looking to further explore applications for movements they already know.

EXPERT AUTHOR: Phillip Starr is the author of seven martial arts books. Chairman of the Yiliquan Martial Arts Association, he has been teaching martial arts for 50 years, and has been a five-time US National Champion of Chinese Martial Arts. Starr teaches seminars throughout the US and the U.K. He was featured in Japan’s most popular martial arts magazine in 2017, and contributes a weekly column for the Martial Renaissance website (https://martial-renaissance.mn.co/).

COMPREHENSIVE: Most other books on Baguazhang focus only on the unique footwork, while this book also includes how to use baguazhang for self-defense.
TARGETED READERSHIP: This book is directed at new and experienced martial artists, especially those who practice baguazhang, kung-fu, or other styles of Chinese martial arts.

Related products

Phillip Starr

Author Residence: Omaha, NE Author Hometown: Ft. Lewis, WA Phillip "Pete" Starr began his training in the martial arts in 1956, beginning with judo. Within a year, he received instruction in traditional kung fu in the basement of a small Chinese grocery store. He continued his training, also earning black-belt grades in two styles of Japanese karate (third dan in Kyokushin, first dan in Shito-ryu). His primary kung fu teacher was W. C. Chen, a direct disciple of one of China's best-known masters, Zhang Zhaodong. From Master Chen, Starr learned taijiquan (tai-chi chuan), xingyiquan, baguazhang, and a form of shaolinquan. He began teaching Chinese martial arts in 1967 at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. After spending several years in law enforcement, he opened his first full-time martial arts school in Ottumwa, Iowa. He entered competition and earned the title of U.S. National Champion five times, the last time when he was sixty-three years old. He was named to the National Rules Committee of the United States Karate Association and became the kung fu chairman. Later, he was named to the list of the Rocky Mountain top ten competitors. Starr went on to train in Arnis, becoming a certified instructor under Tuhon Leo Gaje and Jeet Kune Do.

Agence Schweiger