Post by Yoshi Tokugawa on Oct 30, 2008 14:57:56 GMT -4
It had been about four months since Tokugawa Yoshi stayed in the town of Ping Qi, Over the mountain ranges of Niebelheim. Having entrusted his home and shop to Kaori and Kanami, the mayor's twin Nieces, Yoshi set out to learn close combat skills. Yoshi preferred to fight his battles at a disance. But he learned quickly that a battle could be in your face before you know it.
Yoshi had been studying at a dojo called Yin, where he began to use and Learn Yin style Baguazhang.
The practice of circle walking, or 'Turning the Circle', as it is sometimes called, is baguazhang's characteristic met. Students first learn flexibility and proper body alignment through such exercises, then move on to more complex forms and internal power mechanics. The internal aspects of baguazhang are very similar to those of xingyi and tai chi.
Many distinctive styles of weapons are contained within baguazhang, some use concealment like the "scholar's pen" or a pair of knives (the most elaborate which are unique to the style are the crescent-shaped deer horn knives). Baguazhang is also known for practicing with extremely large weapons, such as the Baguadao, or 'Bagua Broadsword'. Other more conventional weapons are also used like the staff, straight (double-edged) sword, and spear. Baguazhang practitioners are also known for being able to use anything as a weapon using the principles of their art.
Baguazhang contains an extremely wide variety of techniques, including various strikes (with palm, fist, elbow, fingers etc), low kicks, joint locking techniques, throws, and distinctively evasive circular footwork.
Yin Style Baguazhang is a style of Baguazhang. It has several different sub-styles, and although all of these styles share certain characteristics, some of them are more different than others; in particular, the Xie Peiqi and Gong Baotian lines have much material not seen in the other lines. As a matter of course, not everyone agrees on who has the "true" or most complete transmission of Yin style baguazhang. Wang Pei Sheng, Ma Gui's last student, was very famous for his fighting ability. He was better known as the inheritor of Northern Wu taijiquan.
Yin Style as passed down by Xie Peiqi is notable for having eight distinct animal styles within the body of the art. In other words, Xie's Yin Style is a complete system, which is made up of other complete systems. These include the eight animal systems as well as several 'unorthodox' systems, such as the Penetrating Palm and Backhand systems. Each of the eight animal styles is related to one of the eight trigrams of the Ching. The following table describes this relationship:
Trigram Animal Chinese Title
Pinyin /Animal : Movement
Qian Lion : Interlocking
Dui Monkey : Enfolding
Li Rooster : Lying step
Zhen Dragon : Lifting and holding
Xun Phoenix : Windmill
Kun Snake : Moving with the force
Gen Bear : Turning the back
Kun Qilin/Unicorn : Reversing the body
Each animal is a complete system in its own right, possessing its own personality, skills, applications, and functions. Each of the eight animal systems contains eight striking methods, and each striking method has seven strikes. Three of those seven are considered the 'primary' strikes and are emphasized more than the others in single practice. Therefore, the animal systems of Xie's Yin Style Bagua have a total of 448 unique strikes. However, Xie's Yin Style Bagua also contains other unorthodox systems outside of the eight animals, such as Penetrating Palm and the Backhand systems. Hence, there are more than 448 strikes, though 448 are contained within the animals. (Note that the animal relationships with the bagua diagram are not unique to Xie's art; these relationships are also often used for other styles of bagua, including Cheng substyles, such as that of Sun Lutang.)
There are four basic practice methods in Xie Peiqi's Yin Style Baguazhang: standing, turning, striking, and changing. These practices are the basic pillars of the style, and are all considered equally important[4].
Standing
The standing practices involve nine static strengthening postures specific to a given animal. Each posture requires precise body alignment and distinct isometric pressures necessitating full body exertion to maintain properly. These postures are undertaken to develop and check the structure of every part of the body.
Turning
Turning (or turning the circle), is the practice many people associate with Baguazhang. "Yin style Bagua is the art of striking while you are moving. You ceaselessly move and strike, and are always trying to get to the outside [of your opponent] by turning. No matter what, position yourself to avoid the heavy blows and let the light ones fall. It is within turning that these movements and techniques are honed to perfection or to a higher level. All movements and techniques are linked smoothly together.[5]"
Striking
Striking is the most fundamental way of developing power in Yin Style Baguazhang. It is introduced through the stationary drilling method, unaccompanied by footwork. It is intended to establish the harmony between hand and waist that is necessary for generating power.
The moving strike practices consist of:
One-step drilling method, of which there is the zig-zag stepping or dominating the side, straight stepping, or dominating the center, and closing or turning the back method.
Two-step, or square drilling, which consists of advance-back-step, advance-advance, or back-step-advance, and back-step back-step.
Three-step, or horizontal drilling method, which combines the stationary strike, advance step, and back-step.
Changing
Changing is most obvious when changing hands to face opposite directions. Changing also includes the changing or redirecting of force, or alterations in stepping.
<BR>
Each animal style in Yin Style Baguazhang is its own complete system; however, each system contains practices and movements from all of the other animal systems. Example: when practicing forms in Yin Style Bagua, a practitioner may practice, for example, the Lion System Windmill Sweeping Strike Form. The strikes come from the lion system, but the Windmill movements come from the Phoenix system.
Thus, each animal has a specific movement technique in addition to its 8 striking methods. Each animal also has its own kicking technique, which is not included in its striking methods.
Dui Trigram Monkey System
Concentrates on leg techniques, referred to as the interlocking leg. Its striking methods are: bending, thrusting, straightening, hip, chopping, swinging, stopping, and ending.
The monkey's characteristic movement technique is Compacting the Body.
Kun Trigram Qilin/Unicorn System
The Unicorn is the opposite of the Lion, being pure Yin. The Unicorn's striking methods are: sticking, kneading, soft, following, hip, striking, chopping and cutting. It issues force by employing all joints to produce a flexible, snapping power.
The unicorn's characteristic movement technique is Reversing the Body.
Qian Trigram Lion System
The lion is pure Yang energy, or hardness, and is one of two animals represented by a pure trigram; the other is the Unicorn. The lion trigram is characterized by powerful and ferocious full-body force generated from the waist. The lion's eight striking methods are: sweeping, cutting, chopping, hooking, shocking, blocking, seizing and grasping.
The lion's characteristic movement technique is Linking the Forms
Kan Trigram Snake System
The Snake's striking methods are: shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, shooting, binding, entrapping, and grasping. The style is characterized by a smooth and flowing motion of the force-palm, with many of the strikes targeted at vital organs.
The snake's characteristic movement technique is Moving with the Force.
Gen Trigram Bear System
The bear system is distinguished by a strategy of taking advantage from a losing position. The Bear's striking methods are: rushing, penetrating, withdrawing, carrying, leaning, shocking, soft and following. The Bear's power is generated from the back, and is short and blunt.
The bear's characteristic movement technique is Turning the Back.
Zhèn Trigram Dragon System
Known as the lifting and holding palm. Its striking methods are: pushing, lifting, carrying, leading, moving, capturing, chopping and entering. The Dragon's power is emitted through a forward motion of back and waist. The Dragon style, although practiced differently in Yin Style, is the animal practiced by Cheng Style Baguazhang.
The dragon's characteristic movement technique is Lifting and Upholding.
Xun Trigram Phoenix System
In the phoenix system, force is emitted from the shoulders, and characterized by whipping action. The striking methods are: dodging, extending, chopping, shocking, transforming, removing, curling in, and cutting.
The phoenix's characteristic movement technique is Windmill.
Li Trigram Rooster System
The rooster focuses on long, deep footwork with one's center of gravity close to the ground. Power comes from the elbows. The Rooster's striking methods are: dodging, extending, lifting, shifting, entering, whipping, rushing and stabbing.
The rooster's characteristic movement technique is Reclining Step (also known as Lying Step).
Yoshi had been studying at a dojo called Yin, where he began to use and Learn Yin style Baguazhang.
The practice of circle walking, or 'Turning the Circle', as it is sometimes called, is baguazhang's characteristic met. Students first learn flexibility and proper body alignment through such exercises, then move on to more complex forms and internal power mechanics. The internal aspects of baguazhang are very similar to those of xingyi and tai chi.
Many distinctive styles of weapons are contained within baguazhang, some use concealment like the "scholar's pen" or a pair of knives (the most elaborate which are unique to the style are the crescent-shaped deer horn knives). Baguazhang is also known for practicing with extremely large weapons, such as the Baguadao, or 'Bagua Broadsword'. Other more conventional weapons are also used like the staff, straight (double-edged) sword, and spear. Baguazhang practitioners are also known for being able to use anything as a weapon using the principles of their art.
Baguazhang contains an extremely wide variety of techniques, including various strikes (with palm, fist, elbow, fingers etc), low kicks, joint locking techniques, throws, and distinctively evasive circular footwork.
Yin Style Baguazhang is a style of Baguazhang. It has several different sub-styles, and although all of these styles share certain characteristics, some of them are more different than others; in particular, the Xie Peiqi and Gong Baotian lines have much material not seen in the other lines. As a matter of course, not everyone agrees on who has the "true" or most complete transmission of Yin style baguazhang. Wang Pei Sheng, Ma Gui's last student, was very famous for his fighting ability. He was better known as the inheritor of Northern Wu taijiquan.
Yin Style as passed down by Xie Peiqi is notable for having eight distinct animal styles within the body of the art. In other words, Xie's Yin Style is a complete system, which is made up of other complete systems. These include the eight animal systems as well as several 'unorthodox' systems, such as the Penetrating Palm and Backhand systems. Each of the eight animal styles is related to one of the eight trigrams of the Ching. The following table describes this relationship:
Trigram Animal Chinese Title
Pinyin /Animal : Movement
Qian Lion : Interlocking
Dui Monkey : Enfolding
Li Rooster : Lying step
Zhen Dragon : Lifting and holding
Xun Phoenix : Windmill
Kun Snake : Moving with the force
Gen Bear : Turning the back
Kun Qilin/Unicorn : Reversing the body
Each animal is a complete system in its own right, possessing its own personality, skills, applications, and functions. Each of the eight animal systems contains eight striking methods, and each striking method has seven strikes. Three of those seven are considered the 'primary' strikes and are emphasized more than the others in single practice. Therefore, the animal systems of Xie's Yin Style Bagua have a total of 448 unique strikes. However, Xie's Yin Style Bagua also contains other unorthodox systems outside of the eight animals, such as Penetrating Palm and the Backhand systems. Hence, there are more than 448 strikes, though 448 are contained within the animals. (Note that the animal relationships with the bagua diagram are not unique to Xie's art; these relationships are also often used for other styles of bagua, including Cheng substyles, such as that of Sun Lutang.)
There are four basic practice methods in Xie Peiqi's Yin Style Baguazhang: standing, turning, striking, and changing. These practices are the basic pillars of the style, and are all considered equally important[4].
Standing
The standing practices involve nine static strengthening postures specific to a given animal. Each posture requires precise body alignment and distinct isometric pressures necessitating full body exertion to maintain properly. These postures are undertaken to develop and check the structure of every part of the body.
Turning
Turning (or turning the circle), is the practice many people associate with Baguazhang. "Yin style Bagua is the art of striking while you are moving. You ceaselessly move and strike, and are always trying to get to the outside [of your opponent] by turning. No matter what, position yourself to avoid the heavy blows and let the light ones fall. It is within turning that these movements and techniques are honed to perfection or to a higher level. All movements and techniques are linked smoothly together.[5]"
Striking
Striking is the most fundamental way of developing power in Yin Style Baguazhang. It is introduced through the stationary drilling method, unaccompanied by footwork. It is intended to establish the harmony between hand and waist that is necessary for generating power.
The moving strike practices consist of:
One-step drilling method, of which there is the zig-zag stepping or dominating the side, straight stepping, or dominating the center, and closing or turning the back method.
Two-step, or square drilling, which consists of advance-back-step, advance-advance, or back-step-advance, and back-step back-step.
Three-step, or horizontal drilling method, which combines the stationary strike, advance step, and back-step.
Changing
Changing is most obvious when changing hands to face opposite directions. Changing also includes the changing or redirecting of force, or alterations in stepping.
<BR>
Each animal style in Yin Style Baguazhang is its own complete system; however, each system contains practices and movements from all of the other animal systems. Example: when practicing forms in Yin Style Bagua, a practitioner may practice, for example, the Lion System Windmill Sweeping Strike Form. The strikes come from the lion system, but the Windmill movements come from the Phoenix system.
Thus, each animal has a specific movement technique in addition to its 8 striking methods. Each animal also has its own kicking technique, which is not included in its striking methods.
Dui Trigram Monkey System
Concentrates on leg techniques, referred to as the interlocking leg. Its striking methods are: bending, thrusting, straightening, hip, chopping, swinging, stopping, and ending.
The monkey's characteristic movement technique is Compacting the Body.
Kun Trigram Qilin/Unicorn System
The Unicorn is the opposite of the Lion, being pure Yin. The Unicorn's striking methods are: sticking, kneading, soft, following, hip, striking, chopping and cutting. It issues force by employing all joints to produce a flexible, snapping power.
The unicorn's characteristic movement technique is Reversing the Body.
Qian Trigram Lion System
The lion is pure Yang energy, or hardness, and is one of two animals represented by a pure trigram; the other is the Unicorn. The lion trigram is characterized by powerful and ferocious full-body force generated from the waist. The lion's eight striking methods are: sweeping, cutting, chopping, hooking, shocking, blocking, seizing and grasping.
The lion's characteristic movement technique is Linking the Forms
Kan Trigram Snake System
The Snake's striking methods are: shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, shooting, binding, entrapping, and grasping. The style is characterized by a smooth and flowing motion of the force-palm, with many of the strikes targeted at vital organs.
The snake's characteristic movement technique is Moving with the Force.
Gen Trigram Bear System
The bear system is distinguished by a strategy of taking advantage from a losing position. The Bear's striking methods are: rushing, penetrating, withdrawing, carrying, leaning, shocking, soft and following. The Bear's power is generated from the back, and is short and blunt.
The bear's characteristic movement technique is Turning the Back.
Zhèn Trigram Dragon System
Known as the lifting and holding palm. Its striking methods are: pushing, lifting, carrying, leading, moving, capturing, chopping and entering. The Dragon's power is emitted through a forward motion of back and waist. The Dragon style, although practiced differently in Yin Style, is the animal practiced by Cheng Style Baguazhang.
The dragon's characteristic movement technique is Lifting and Upholding.
Xun Trigram Phoenix System
In the phoenix system, force is emitted from the shoulders, and characterized by whipping action. The striking methods are: dodging, extending, chopping, shocking, transforming, removing, curling in, and cutting.
The phoenix's characteristic movement technique is Windmill.
Li Trigram Rooster System
The rooster focuses on long, deep footwork with one's center of gravity close to the ground. Power comes from the elbows. The Rooster's striking methods are: dodging, extending, lifting, shifting, entering, whipping, rushing and stabbing.
The rooster's characteristic movement technique is Reclining Step (also known as Lying Step).
