ALISO VIEJO, Calif., December 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- When Peter Jaw is asked about the martial art Ba Gua Zhang, students most often ask him how many styles exist and the various differences among them. In his new book, Ba Gua Zhang: Techniques and Application (now available through AuthorHouse), he gives those interested in learning more about this system a thorough guide to its intricacy and history.
Since the latter half of the 19th century, Ba Gua Zhang, or "eight trigram palm," has been practiced as both a combative method and a health exercise. Its movements entail a slow circle walk and a series of palm postures. Derived from the I Ching, it has been practiced by royalty, and imperial guards studied it in Beijing. Dong Hai Chuan first taught students Ba Gua Zhang, and each one molded the common principles of change, body methods and steps to fit their own personal experiences. The result is an array of different versions of the same core structure.
With more than 100 pages of full-color photographs and detailed descriptions, Ba Gua Zhang: Techniques and Application is a guide to the various manifestations of this craft, including stances, postures and the wide range of palm changes.
Ba Gua Zhang: Techniques and Application is a trove of information about this martial art. It teaches the finer points of the system and helps them increase the benefits they will gain from it, including better health and more skillful self-defense methods.
Growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, Jaw watched people practice Tai Ji Quan, Ba Gua Zhang and other styles of traditional Chinese martial arts in city parks. Inspired, he trained in Ba Gua Zhang and other marital arts.
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