I have often been asked if it is possible to learn an art like Bagua Zhang from a book and/or DVD. Well, the answer is obviously, yes. Here is the proof! The young gentleman in the video link (below), not having a teacher available, bought 'Bagua Linked Palms' and the companion DVD and learned the form on his own. Of course, it is clear there are many major and minor corrections needed to perfect his form, but that's not the point. He worked hard and accomplished his goal of learning the form all on his own. Job well done! And now for those corrections :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp1f-BSarnU

Returning to the USA!

Greetings All!
I am returning to the U.S. after a three-year sojourn in Taiwan. I will be back in California around the end of November and looking forward to getting back on the seminar trail. I gathered a lot of new and interesting perspectives while back in Taiwan. It was great reconnecting with gong-fu brothers and sisters and making new friends. I have a lot of new insights to share with all of you. It's great to be back!
Kent

New DVD Now Available Online!

The new companion DVD for Wang's Bagua Linked Palms book is now available online from Amazon.com and through Plum Publishing at www.plumpub.com.

There is a blurb at Plum Publications on the new DVD. Please take a look. They have received so many pre-orders of the disk, that they have increased their initial order from us. Great news! http://www.plumpub.com/kaimen/2012/wang-shujins-bagua-zhang-dvd/

New DVD Now Ready to Ship!

Hi Everyone, We are pleased to announce that the new companion DVD for the book Bagua Linked Palms is now ready to ship. If you would like a copy, please contact Scott at unlearning2@gmail.com. You can also purchase copies from Plum Publishing on the internet at www.plumpub.com. I sincerely hope everyone likes the new DVD. It follows the book step by step plus adding lots of practice tips and self-defense applications. (And now on to the companion video for Bagua Swimming Body Palms!)

Announcing New Bagua Zhang Seminars!

We are now offering seminars on Wang Shujin's Bagua Zhang! This series of workshops will cover Wang's entire Bagua Zhang curriculum from walking the circle to advanced weapons training. A partial list of seminar topics is listed below. Please contact us for more information: kentfhoward@gmail.com

OUR MISSION: Very few instructors are teaching Wang Shujin’s authentic Bagua Zhang to the general public. It is our goal that these teachings reach a wider audience through open instruction to all who are interested. It is in that spirit of unfettered access that we offer these seminars with the aim of preserving Master Wang’s teachings for posterity.

OUR SEMINAR PHILOSOPHY: Our goal is to teach only what can be understood, assimilated, and retained within the time frame of the training. It is expected that all participants will take home the knowledge and muscle memory to establish a meaningful home practice.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM:
Bagua Zhang Basic Training (one to two days)
Basic training in Bagua Zhang including: stretching, breathing, conditioning, zhan zhuang standing meditation, stepping, circle walking, forms training, and combat theory and practice. This material is perfectly suited for those looking for a basic introduction to a lifetime practice of Bagua Zhang.

Wang Shujin’s First Form: Bagua Linked Palms (two days)
Wang Shujin’s basic form as taught in his book, Bagua Linked Palms. Curriculum includes basic warm ups, qigong, basic body principle and energy development exercises; stepping and circle walking; instruction in all eight forms in the set; and at least two self defense applications for each form.

Wang Shujin’s Second Form: Bagua Swimming Body Palms (two days)
This advanced form builds on the foundation learned in Bagua Linked Palms but frees the movements to flow more smoothly and change spontaneously. There is more spiraling and spinning in this form, and fluid footwork is essential to its proper application. Striking and controlling while in motion are two elemental principles taught throughout the set. Advanced combat applications taught include evading, encircling, and entrapping.

Wang Shujin’s Bagua Weapon Forms: Staff, Double Sword, and Cane (one to two days)
Master Wang taught several distinctive weapon forms. The cane, or walking stick; a staff form featuring an eyebrow-height stick; and a set featuring two double-edged straight swords, taiji jian. The double sword set is fairly simple, the other two more complex.

Have Faith! It's Coming!

We are making progress on the video for Bagua Linked Palms, and it is getting dangerously close to being finished. We are now adding voice-overs and music. The editing should be done within a week or so. Then we have to figure out the best way to burn copies, print labels, mail, etc. We shall sell them from this site and also from eBay, Amazon, and other commercial outlets. More info very soon!