Ba Gua Zhang is one of the major internal Chinese martial arts styles. Two other well-known internal Wushu styles are Taiji and Xing Yi. “Ba” means eight, “Gua” refers to trigrams, and “Zhang” means open hand.
Find more Wushu styles in the Wushu Main section.
Description: Ba Gua Zhang – Wushu
The movements in Ba Gua Zhang are often inspired by eight different animals: Lion, Snake, Bear, Dragon, Phoenix, Rooster, Qilin, and Monkey.
The forms in Ba Gua Zhang frequently alternate between fast and slow movements.
Techniques are smooth, and circular movements are a key characteristic.
Footwork often involves sliding steps in low stances, while the arms protect both sides of the body.
There are no tightly closed fists or rigid straight palms.
Ba Gua Zhang does not emphasize acrobatic jumps, but it does include throws, low kicks, and punches.
Trainer Advice: Ba Gua Zhang – Wushu
Begin by learning the Ba Gua circle step before moving on to more advanced techniques. The circle step involves walking in a circle while focusing your gaze toward the center and maintaining protection of the inner side. Keep a low stance and use sliding footwork.
Videos: Ba Gua Zhang – Wushu
See the Wushu Video Section for demonstrations.
