Customer Rating: 
Summary: No Ba Gua Here
Comment: This is a very disappointing book. There is no Ba Gua in it. The first 60 pages is all mysticism, which is nonsense. There are 14 pages of walking the circle but not even a single palm change, much less anything more interesting. Then 20 pages of two two-man drills which have no ba gua to speak of. Then 20 pages of three self-defense demonstrations, one of which has what might be a ba gua turn, but a foolish one which turns your back to the opponent. That's it. The book is so bad I won't even bother selling it used here on Amazon. It's going in the trash.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic book by a FANTASTIC Teacher
Comment: I have had the privilege of studying under Sifu Bracy a number of times in the 1990s. The man is a storehouse of knowledge in BOTH Bagua AND Hsing-I. His Hebei Hsing-I IS as smooth and flawless as his Baguazhang. To those who have written snippy little comments about this fine man, and about his wonderful treatise on this fascinating subject, I say: Shame On YOU! It is very safe to make snide comments about someone you have never laid eyes on in real life, and that shows the low level of attainment you have reached thusfar in life. The content of the manual is just a minor glimpse into the wider scope of things in the wide world of Baguazhang and internal martial arts.
One cannot hope to catch the entire sum of the teaching in a short tome such as this one; but one can gather the beginnings
of greatness, and can aspire to reach the level of mastery that John Bracy has achieved in his personal quest.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, novice or expert, as this book provides a nice amount of content for a small price.
I hope that Sifu Bracy will grace the reading public with a meatier volume in the near future, and I also hope that the next volume will prvide a deeper insight into the [ractice and application of his life's work. I sincerely thank him for his efforts thus far, and welcome the day that I hear he has produced another fine manual for all the martial arts world to enjoy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Education in the art of the martial.
Comment: This book is ok, but it lacks the theory and applications that are present in most other books.
Although, this book seems to be a the top of the list, other books carry way more weight in the area of education, counselling, and knowledge.
This is probably why people may dislike these comments. But it is the truth. If you want to look at other books, look at the martial arts list in my about me area.
An addition:
Now, I know for many the area of teaching martial arts is a hard one. The ability to keep students for a business is very hard. So, Try just having another avenue for cash while the teaching of the martial art remains . . . just teaching martial arts. Charging students is not necessary. Instead, think like the old martial artists in China did. TRADE. Offer instruction in exchange for clothes, food, entertainment or custodial duties. This is the simple way.
-Calvin Newman
Customer Rating:
Summary: Reduce internal friction, thats what everyone says.....
Comment: I have to agree with Victor K. Lin on this one.
I see people going 'oh yah' this is great, quite a few in fact.
Popularity is not an importance when it comes to real information.
I had the chance to read it at the book store, and it had information you could find anywhere. What people often dont tell you is that Bagua has many levels. If it is just elementary knowledge you seek, get this book.
Overview: I thought the book was really great at first, but then when I started skimming for the real information, or deeper information, I didnt find any. Basically the concept that was re-emphasised within the book was when moving or making transition reduce internal friction, or learn how to by practice.I am sure glad I didn't waste money on it.
If you really want more information on pa kua chang, or bagua zhang, find a teacher or go to china.
Sometimes it is best to go to the roots of ba gua to learn more.
Bagua was created by Dong Hai-chuan and combined internal elements of taijiquan (tai chi), hsing-i, and taoist circle walking.
Do research on these:
...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great history, superficial mechanics
Comment: I was mixed on this book. It presented a wonderful history and philosophical background for Hsing-Han Liu's Ba Gua, but the palms shown were the simplest levels (predominately qi gung), the applications were rudimentary (perhaps even watered down), and the mechanics simplistic. For a book that started to emphasize energy, proceeded to walking qi gung palms, a more appropriate finale would have been more sophisticated energy applications and/or development. Real insights from this incredibly experienced Ba Gua master would have been nice, and invaluable.
