Customer Rating: 
Summary: Emei Baguazhang
Comment: Never write reviews, don't have the time, but this book was simply outstanding. I have practiced Wudang Tai Chi Chuan for over 10 years, & have fought in the san shou circuits throughout Europe; basically I have a bit of an interest in martial arts. As a fighter I loathe the way many Nei Jia Arts have been watered down to appeal to the lazy new age group.
This book is complete with the Bagua classics, a great compliment to the Tai Chi Chuan classics. A commentary follows each verse from the classics, that explains in a clear fashion the principles and practicalities being conveyed by the passages.
The book's explanations on conditioning, Gung training and applications are direct and practical, devoid of any flowery mystical approach, i.e. the authors know what they are talking about. I have rarely heard of Ba Gua Practitioners walking the circle on up turned bricks with blocks supported on their arms. Yet I have often heard them speak of sure footedness and balance, and using the arm as a platform for locking throws. The authors here demonstrate these gung practice methods and their benefits are immediately obvious to anyone who has seriously trained in the Nei Jia Arts.
Many books on Nei Jia leave me disappointed; this on the other hand was a breath of fresh air.
Inspirational!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best
Comment: Absolutely THE BEST book (AND DVD) on the market on the subject of Emei style Baguazhang. I study under Mr. Wen-Ching Wu at The Way of The Dragon in Rhode Island and believe me he knows exactly what he is doing when it comes to Chinese Martial Arts. I rate this book a BEST BUY if you are interested in Baguazhang!!!!!!!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Most comprehensive book on Baguazhang
Comment: After further reflection, and being a little bit older and presumably wiser; I would rate this book 5 stars for being so comprehensive and having so many translations. This book along with the video tapes or DVD has the broadest coverage of Baguazhang.
(I would change the rating to 5 stars, but the Amazon editor won't let me.)
I have found this book to be the most comprehensive book on Baguazhang. It includes:
* Baguazhang lineage.
* Hundreds of pictures showing different forms and steps.
* Demonstrates applications.
As good as it is I had trouble following the forms. It would have been better if there had been a circle marked on the floor to show orientation. Frequently the pictures are taken from different angles and this causes confusion as to which direction the practitioner is turning.
I would also strongly recommend getting the first two video tapes that go along with this book. Get the third after you have mastered the first two. Without the video tapes it is impossible to comprehend the fluidity and motion of Baguazhang.
I don't believe that it is possible to learn Baguazhang from a book alone, but this book makes a good compliment to lessons.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book Excellent Teamwork
Comment: For the general mass of Martial Artists who enjoy being pulled by the tail through their martial arts program, I have some advice to offer: don't get this book. If you are looking for a 'ba gua how to' book for dummies, then you're barking at the wrong door.
Dr. Yang and Liang combine to put together what may be considered a compilation of research on Baguzhang that will leave the reader both baffled as well as inspired. The 'theoretical' aspect is not to be trifled with here and NOT for the mere historian. It is for the martial artist through and through. Give it to the historian and you give it to the door. The theoretical aspects of the art as laid down by Dr. Yang in this book are absolutely essential to gaining a deeper understanding of why BaGua is what it is, and anyone who would preach differently simply has not understood what the martial art is or simply has not understood the theory. BaGua is, in some respects, a 'mental' art. Furthermore, the forms and sequences, the training aspects of the art, as given in the book are offered as a 'taste' of what the art is. One cannot possibly offer all aspects of the art in a single book and perhaps not in 10 volumes on the subject - it is just too enormous, and this should lead one to consider the fact that without theory, that is, without principles for the proper application of and study of an art, which is precisely what this book offers, together with the basic training materials and movements, it is impossible to develop and attain any degree of perfection. Perfection does not come through the leash, it comes through understanding and creative application of one's principles. This book will help those who are truly interested in learning, to learn. It is a guide to the art, offering thousands of years of research upon a single platter. That, in itself, should be enough reason for the dedicated martial artist to buy this book and to seek to understand its contents through and through.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The beginning of a new art.
Comment: I have an intuitive feel from most the martial arts and sports I have practiced, so I will give from that in order to help.
I have a lot of instruction in the area of sports and martial arts. The one thing I have learned that has stayed with me is to give 110% in everything you do. This gives light to the fact that martial arts are work - and they require a lot of time and effort. Not only must one bust their butts during the class, but they must also bust their butts outside of class. Homework. All sports or martial arts require homework. Without this practice in the classroom will never improve. So basically your time, energy, and money are wasted. Remember this while searching for a teacher or coach.
This is a good book. There is no other book that is available in the U.S. that has the level of experience necessary to fully explain what some of the masters from China have written.
There are other good books, but none have translated ancient texts like Dr. Yang has done.
-Calvin.
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