Classical Ba Gua Zhang: The Old Eight Palms of Master Wang Shi Tong

Ba Gua Zhang is known for its circle walking practices and for its ability to crate a thousand transformations and changes from a single movement - a single palm change. The Eight Basic Palm Changes known as Lao Ba Zhang (Old Eight Palms) are the seed from which all of these possibilities take shape. To master Lao Ba Zhang is to master the art of Ba Gua Zhang.

Almost every style of Ba Gua Zhang has a version of Lao Ba Zhang or "The Old Eight Palms." The expression of Lao Ba Zhang presented in this book comes from Master Wang Shi Tong, a disciple of the great Guo Gu Min. Wang Shi Tong came from the last generation of masters whose skills were completely rooted in practicality and effectiveness. Master Wang's expression of Lao Ba Zhang is direct and practical. Each movement teaches subtle body skills and contains specific martial applications.

Each of Lao Ba Zhang's eight palm changes introduces a different energetic signature, a different footwork pattern, and different body mechanics. Each palm also introduces a different set of tactics, a different Jin-Li (power dynamic), varied techniques, and different methods of using the palm. When one practices all the changes, one learns to rotate and change to the Eight Directions (the eight points of the compass) and the Eight Facings: front and back; right and left; upward and downward; rotating clockwise and rotating counterclockwise. Lao Ba Zhang is the template for the many martial applications taught in Liang style Ba Gua Zhang. Striking (Da Fa), kicking (Ti Fa), seizing and locking (Na Fa) and Throwing (Shuai Fa) are present within every movement. Often these actions are obvious, but many actions are also hidden within the subtle body maneuvers.

In this book Tom Bisio, disciple of Wang Shi Tong, details Lao Ba Zhang as he learned it at the feet of Master Wang. The form, principles, training methods, and many applications are presented in detail. This text passes on Master Wang's knowledge and martial spirit to future generations.

Tom Bisio is the only American Disciple of Master Wang Shi Tong. He is known internationally as a martial artist and practitioner of Chinese Medicine and has studied Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts in Mainland China. He has taught Martial Arts since 1979, and practiced Chinese Medicine since 1990. Tom has authored more than 30 books on Internal Martial Arts, Qi Gong and Chinese Medicine and teaches in Canada, Europe and the United States. He is the Founder of Internal Arts International, offering Qi Gong, and Ba Gua online learning programs and in-person instruction in Internal Martial Arts and Chinese Medicine - internalartsinternational.com