HOUTIAN BAGUAZHANG |
post-heaven palm changes |
Combat Forms for Fighting Skills & Strategy |
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"Golden Dragon Puts Out It's Claw Palm," one of 64 post-heaven palm changes (short tactical forms that develop fighting skill) from the Gao Yi Sheng baguazhang system. This particular form trains how to test an opponent's responses to offensive movements, in order to set-up an appropriate counter-attack and or throw. |
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Bagua's post-heaven principle has these specific aspects of YIN CHI (earth energy): density, heaviness, intuitiveness, yielding, grounding, flowing, liquid, sensual and primal. It focuses on having a pragmatic understanding of how the weather patterns and nature's cyclic rules affects Taichi harmony here on earth. Properly understanding and applying these natural laws of post-heaven principle, can help one become more effective in life and better prepares an individual to attain and maintain worldly success, without loosing one’s center and becoming imbalanced.
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On a martial level, houtian palm changes teach how to appropriately tap into one's more primal-animal nature without over arousing the emotions. This skill can heighten the intuition, giving one a greater ability to recognize and avoid potential danger. However, if a confrontation with a more aggressive opponent is eminent, these practical forms and two person drills prepares one's body to be more resilient and better able to survive a physical confrontation. But, it’s always best not to fight, especially since we live in such a litigious society where differences between winners and losers are not so distinguishable anymore and the costs are truly great.
Taoist philosophy always seeks peace and harmony in all situations, but does not rigidly interpret these spiritual virtues of non-violence as a holier than thou position to be blindly followed by the intellect. Equally important spiritual virtues such as appropriateness -doing the right thing at the right time, respectfulness –valuing oneself and others, and righteousness –being fair, just and protective of the weak and defenseless, are also valuable.
Summer 2000, Boulder Colorado, Joseph being shown a fighting application by his Gao Style Baguazhang teacher, Master Luo De Xiu of Taipei, Taiwan.
baguazhang links:
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