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Baguazhang: Theory and Applications
A complete training guide for beginners and advanced practitioners of Baguazhang. This revised edition includes a complete redesign with an emphasis on reader usability and modern Chinese typography. Packed with over nine hundred photographs, this comprehensive text offers theory, martial applications, sequences, Qigong exercises, weapon training, and is an indispensable resource for those serious about Chinese martial arts.
- GenresMartial Arts
564 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
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43 people want to read
About the author
Shou-Yu Liang
16 books4 followersGrandmaster Shou-Yu Liang began studying qigong at age 6. He is one of China's top Coaches of Excellence.
Shou-Yu Liang was born in 1943 in Sichuan, China. At age six, he began his training in qigong, under the tutelage of his renowned grandfather, the late Liang, Zhi-Xiang. He was taught esoteric qigong and the martial arts of the Emei Mountain region, including Emei Dapeng Qigong.
At age eight, his grandfather also made special arrangements for him to begin training Emei Qigong and Wushu with other well-known masters of the time.
By the time he was twenty, Shou-Yu Liang had already received instruction from 10 of the most well-known legendary grandmasters of both Southern and Northern systems. His curiosity inspired him to learn more than one hundred sequences from many different styles.
As he grew older, through and beyond his college years, his wide background in various martial arts helped form his character, and led him to achieve a high level of martial arts and qigong skills.
Some of the training he concentrated on included: the Emei Styles, Shaolin Long Fist, Praying Mantis, Chuojiao, Qinna, vital point striking, many weapons systems, and qigong methods.
Shou-Yu Liang received a university degree in biology and physiology in 1964 then taught high school in a remote village in China. This was part of his re-education program enforced on him for being born in a bourgeois family, by the government during the political structure of the time.
During the years of the Cultural Revolution, all forms of martial arts and qigong were suppressed. To avoid conflict with the Red Guards, Shou-Yu Liang left his teaching position and used this opportunity to tour various parts of the country. During his travels, he visited and studied with great masters in Wushu and qigong, and made many friends with people who shared his devotion. His mastery of qigong and martial arts, both technically and philosophically grew to new horizons.
At the end of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government again began to support the martial arts and qigong. During the reorganization and categorizing of the existing martial arts, research projects were set up to seek out living masters and preserve their knowledge. It was at this time that the Sichuan government appointed Shou-Yu Liang as a coach for the city, the territory, and the province.
Many of Shou-Yu Liang's students were among the top martial artists of China.
In 1979, he received the title of Coach of Excellence since 1949, by the Peoples Republic of China.
Many of these students are now professional Wushu coaches in colleges, in the armed forces, or have become movie stars.
In 1979, Shou-Yu Liang received several appointments, including committee membership in the Sichuan Chapter of the Chinese National Wushu Committee and Coaches Committee.
In 1981, Shou-Yu Liang visited Seattle, Washington. This trip marked another new era in the course of his life.
Shou-Yu Liang was born in 1943 in Sichuan, China. At age six, he began his training in qigong, under the tutelage of his renowned grandfather, the late Liang, Zhi-Xiang. He was taught esoteric qigong and the martial arts of the Emei Mountain region, including Emei Dapeng Qigong.
At age eight, his grandfather also made special arrangements for him to begin training Emei Qigong and Wushu with other well-known masters of the time.
By the time he was twenty, Shou-Yu Liang had already received instruction from 10 of the most well-known legendary grandmasters of both Southern and Northern systems. His curiosity inspired him to learn more than one hundred sequences from many different styles.
As he grew older, through and beyond his college years, his wide background in various martial arts helped form his character, and led him to achieve a high level of martial arts and qigong skills.
Some of the training he concentrated on included: the Emei Styles, Shaolin Long Fist, Praying Mantis, Chuojiao, Qinna, vital point striking, many weapons systems, and qigong methods.
Shou-Yu Liang received a university degree in biology and physiology in 1964 then taught high school in a remote village in China. This was part of his re-education program enforced on him for being born in a bourgeois family, by the government during the political structure of the time.
During the years of the Cultural Revolution, all forms of martial arts and qigong were suppressed. To avoid conflict with the Red Guards, Shou-Yu Liang left his teaching position and used this opportunity to tour various parts of the country. During his travels, he visited and studied with great masters in Wushu and qigong, and made many friends with people who shared his devotion. His mastery of qigong and martial arts, both technically and philosophically grew to new horizons.
At the end of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government again began to support the martial arts and qigong. During the reorganization and categorizing of the existing martial arts, research projects were set up to seek out living masters and preserve their knowledge. It was at this time that the Sichuan government appointed Shou-Yu Liang as a coach for the city, the territory, and the province.
Many of Shou-Yu Liang's students were among the top martial artists of China.
In 1979, he received the title of Coach of Excellence since 1949, by the Peoples Republic of China.
Many of these students are now professional Wushu coaches in colleges, in the armed forces, or have become movie stars.
In 1979, Shou-Yu Liang received several appointments, including committee membership in the Sichuan Chapter of the Chinese National Wushu Committee and Coaches Committee.
In 1981, Shou-Yu Liang visited Seattle, Washington. This trip marked another new era in the course of his life.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 13, 2009
This is a good compendium of the BaGuaZhang system, with a focus on the philosophical underpinnings and how they play out within the system. There is a good bit of history in here as well. The particular techniques shown give a good grounding in the basics of the system, but as with any martial art, you need a teacher to genuinely learn the forms. This is a good reference text and can be quite helpful for students.
May 20, 2024
The theory section is great study material for practitioners of any style of baguazhang. If you plan on learning the forms you will need the companion video as it is often difficult to understand movements simply from descriptions and photos. Of course nothing will compare to personal instruction.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews