Pa-Kua: Eight-Trigram Boxing

by Robert W. Smith, Allen Pittman

Unlike most martial arts, Chinese internal (soft-style) boxing does not depend upon muscular strength. The secret behind its power lies in the cultivation and practical application of internal energy - ch'i. There are basically three soft-style martial arts: T'ai-chi, already well known worldwide, and Hsing-i and Pa-kua, relative newcomers to the West. Although they are essentially not fighting arts but living arts, they are devastating as systems of self-defense.

This book outlines the history of Pa-kua - a style of boxing based on the eight (pa) trigrams (kua) of the I Ching - and gives a thorough account of the philosophy behind the art. It also presents to the West for the first time the orthodox style of the late Chinese Pa-kua master Wang Shu-chin.

Described here in great detail and fully illustrated are the basic techniques, the eight palm shapes, and the eight traditional methods of "waking the circle." Guided by this easy-to-follow text, the student of Pa-kua can probe deeply into the hitherto hidden secrets of one of the most complete systems of self-defense ever developed.

Genres: Martial Arts

104 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1990

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Reviews

[Cadel]

A good book on the history and theory of Pa-Kua. However, the technique instruction is more focused on Hsing-I than Pa-Kua.

[Darin]

This is a short book. It contains some history and forms in step-by-step photos.

[Serge Pierro]

A good book on the history and philosophy of Pa Kua. Well illustrated with examples of the form and techniques.

[Serge Pierro]

A good book on the history and philosophies of Pa Kua. A nice step by step illustrated chapter on "Walking the Circle".